I have been wanting to climb and ski Shuksan’s North-ish aspect all year. We decided to try for the North West Couloir, a line that seemingly doesn’t get skied often. Not even half way up the face, we realized that it was too icy to go ahead safely, and pulled the plug. The melt freeze cycle at this time of year makes everything a game of timing in order to be safe. Ultimately I think we made the right call, but defeat hangs over my head, and Shuksan calls my name, to which I respond, “we’ll be back!” Until then.
John Irvine, Tobin Seagel, and my brother Chad make their way towards the North West Couloir over frozen wet-slide avi paths.
Tags: Backcountry, Cascade skiing, Mount Shuksan, ski mountaineering, Ski Touring, Skiing