Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Ursus Major - Christmas Couloir

The stable conditions and clear skies during the holidays lured us over Balu Pass to the fittingly named Christmas Couloir on the south face of Ursus Major.



It was a stunning day. The ongoing temperature inversion again meant frigid conditions at the car and near t-shirt weather in the alpine above the valley cloud.



It was one of the rare occasions in Rogers that we actually had to break trail. Except for a few folks in the distance on Cheops west face we didn't see anyone until the end of the day.



We chose an ascent line to looker's left of the run for most of the climb until merging into the steep upper couloir near the top.



The reward was a stunning view over the other side that suddenly revealed itself with our last tired steps to the ridge crest. What a place to be. We genuinely felt very lucky to be in such place on a such a day.



The run down left us gasping for air. It was steep and really fast.



Thankfully the gentler moraines lower down allowed us look up and take in the surroundings.



And to look back at our route.



Before crossing back over the pass and heading back into the cold dark murk underneath the clouds.



Full album is here.

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