Early winter challenges

Early season Spearhead: Scoping the route up Decker Glacier

Winter has arrived, but sadly with little snow in the Coast Range. Rocks are littered throughout the resorts snatching chunks of P-Tex from unsuspecting skiers. Alpine bowls are a minefield of boulders and glaciers have open crevasses that could swallow a school bus. Lack of powder aside, backcountry travel is quite hazardous right now. A recent cold snap has weakened buried layers in the snowpack and deadly terrain traps loom constantly.

But there's always a silver lining. Training for Tajikistan is in full swing with all members touring big days every week, even with the limited terrain available. With Emelie in Whistler for a her CAA Level 2 course exams, the three of us ventured out in the Spearhead Range to negotiate said hazards.

Blackcomb's current boundary gate at the top of Jersey Cream chair

Warning signage at the top of Horstman T-Bar

We couldn't have asked for more ideal training conditions. High winds and pocket flurries blew over to  reveal the crevasse-ridden glaciers on Decker Glacier. During September's training trip we practiced pulling each other out of crevasses, this time we would practice travelling around them.

After a lengthy approach to the Blackcomb Glacier gate we were finally in Garibaldi Park. Clouds surrounded us but we were able to descend out of the isolated flurry, we could even see the sun poking through.
The Spearhead currently has some of the thinnest coverage I have ever seen in eight years of touring in the range. A blue ice sheet is currently exposed at the foot of Tremor Glacier and there are more open crevasses than I ever knew existed. We almost had to scramble over exposed rock on the ridges.

The toe of Tremor Glacier looking thin

During lunch Emelie dug a quick pit to observe some of the heavy faceting that's been going on in the snowpack, we agreed that crevasses were more of a hazard than avalanche on this slope, so out the ropes came. Travelling up a skin track roped up took some getting used to, but we soon had the system dialed of pausing while the person behind negotiated each switchback. We also learned that when skiing downhill, even short distances, you have to unclip from each other on the rope. Not doing so can put the entire group in danger in the event of a fall.

Quick snowpit before the ascending the slope 

Emelie probing the edge of a crevasse, rope taut

December doesn't have a lot of daylight, but we were able to get in a full day of touring to go over some trip plans, learn some new skills and ski some very awful snow. Breakable crust greeted us on the ski off Decker. Frustrating snow, but if you can ski that crap, you can ski anything. 

We're all hoping the season is going turn around next month, but until then we'll keep training in the challenging conditions that we have.

We're also excited to announce that MEC are now supporting Flow of the Fedchenko with a cash grant and some gear sponsorship. Visa and permit applications were sent off this week to the Tajik embassy and we eagerly await the response.

VS