Face-off with the Aussie Coliour

Holy Christ! Here I am out in the Matier/Joffre region yet again! Only this time my objective is to ski both the Aussie Coliour and the Northwest Face of Matier over the next 2 days. The first I was to complete solo and the face I was to meet up with Scotty in the Matier/Joffre Col for a bivy. Then a nice early start on Saturday to complete the Northwest Face the finish it off with a ski descent.

On the ski in to the hut I noticed Vantage had had some wet snow avalanches, they didn't look particularily fresh though they served as a warning to be cautious of the afternoon conditions.

The blue bird sky's and dramatic views of all the various peaks around me made for a very memorable skin.

This is the east ridge of Matier of which Scotty, Nick and I all climbed at various times this past winter.

The afternoon was warming up and I could really get used to this spring skiing. Before I knew it I was heading up the Anniversary Glacier sans shirt getting my first summer tan lines!















I reached the saddle a short time later and still fresh and looking for a fight. The sun still hadn't hit the Northwest face so I was quite confident that the Aussie Coliour hadn't seen to much sun yet also. I quickly skied down to the base of the beautiful line and before I knew what I was doing I was half way up.

The Coliour was looking fine! The snow was in excellent shape, I wasn't punching through to deep due to solar heating and I was making great time up! The one thing I was very aware of was the amount of sun I was receiving, both directly and from the reflection of this concave reflective snow dish I was in. To say the least, I was very very nervous.

It took me about a total of 2 hours to climb the coliour, I quickly tagged the summit of Joffre as it was such a fine opportunity and this had been my first time up.

Being up there alone was a surreal experience and I remember the solitude well. Realizing the risk I was taking it was a fine moment of reflection and one that I felt I was in control of.

The ski descent was intense and demanding. Firstly because I let a nice little corn snow avalanche, only about 4" thick, roll off the upper bowl. Secondly I was very cautious as to the line I chose to pick my way down ensuring I stopped only in wise places of refuge to both rest and scope out my next path. Thirdly, you make it as demanding as you dare, and I definitely pushed myself.

Before I knew what had happened I was back on the glacier with still plenty of light. I knew that I had been in the sun for a long long time and with the clear blue sky, concave coliour and lack of sunscreen I knew I was in for some suffering.

I was curious what my face looked like @ 5pm.


A Beautiful evening view that only 22oo meters can provide.












Scotty finally shows up! He's very happy to see me though is quite confused as to what i've done to myself..........

Ohhhh, it's starting to look like shit, this photo is at ~8:30 pm and I am no longer recognizable. Amazing what a few pounds can do!












Oh Matier, thou art so sexy!

On saturday Scotty and I decided that with the condition of my face and the clear day another round of sun wasn't the wisest idea. So due to my misjudgement and retardation Scotty misses out on his opportunity to climb the NW face. Sadly enough you can se the beautiful line directly above Scotty's head still in shade. Right around 1pm the sun shines down on it and it turns to beautiful corn snow!. What a shame.

No, those aren't snowboards strapped to the back of scotty's pack, those are a pair of ski's. They'll float through anything!












I really did mean that I was getting my first tan lines of the season!