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small world, big mountains
NW Couloir, Mt. Shuksan, Washington. 05/23/09
Skied the steep, scary, wonderful NW Couloir of Shuksan with Reed Purvis. Encountered hard-frozen snow on the ascent (and a beast of a debris pile in the apron). Descent was damn fine corn snow, with the exception of the upper, fearfully steep crux slop which insisted on keeping its icy sheen despite my best attempts to will it into softening.
No place for a tea party.
Reed climbs, Mt. Baker observes his technique from afar.
We had time till the snow would soften, so we found a nice ledge for lunch.
The aformentioned crux slope shines above us.
At the top of the line, looking down to White Salmon Creek and Mt. Baker Ski Area.
Detail of the upper sections.
Reed prefers to go down.
Reed Purvis, hero.
Climbing out of the woods and back to the parking lot.
