Davide de Masi, Tyler Sterling and I spend about nine days in the Titcomb Basin area of the “Winds.” Well, actually Tyler and I were in for the whole time. Davide came down from Bellingham, WA and met Tyler and I (who were coming from Salt Lake City) in Pinedale, WY. Davide came in with us and left alone after four days, guided by a GPS across barely-frozen lakes, confusing terrain, and mazes of forest.

It was an amazing trip, due mostly to great weather and Tyler’s planning abilities. He was smart enough to have Davide carry a full 10-day ration of food, which we then “let him” leave with us when he left. So strict rations for the first few days, and then we stepped it up a notch in our calorie consumption. Thanks Davide!

After a long approach we first camped near Lester Mountain, skiing that mountain as well as Elephant Head, before moving camp up into Titcomb Basin proper beneath the impressive walls of Sacajawea and Helen. We skied the marvelous Northwest Couloir of Mt. Helen and also made an attempt on the South Couloir of Woodrow Wilson, but turned back due to icy conditions.

Tyler approaches Mt. Fremont, 3rd-highest mountain in Wyoming.

Tyler summiting Lester Peak, the first mountain we skied on the trip. Gannet Peak, the highest summit in Wyoming is the highpoint in the distance.

Davide skiing through the choke on Mt. Lester's East Face.

Davide skins towards Elephant Head with Lester Peak in the background.

Davide and the perfect conditions we enjoyed all week.

Tyler enters Titcomb Basin. The couloir we'd later ski on Helen is hidden behind the big wall on the right.

Tyler enjoys the double fall line, corn, and scenery of the NW Couloir of Mt. Helen.

Looking back at the couloir and the ridge that extends to Fremont Peak.

Climbing into Mt. Woodrow Wilson's South Couloir.

Skiing the Sphinx glacier, with Woodrow Wilson's South Couloir visible behind. We turned around about halfway up.

One last look back before heading out the 16 miles to the car.