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168 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 09:56 AM
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We were ready for another intensive day. The weather being great and the snow incredible the conditions seemed right for something big. But we had only one day to do it in because of other commitments for some on Sunday. The suggestion was made to do the Aussie couloir on Joffre and with some reservations we decided to give it a go. It is a southwest facing 40 to 45 degee couloir that with the full sun on it in the afternoon can be very serious. But the temperature was forecasted to be cold in the alpine. Also I was not about to ski it if it was icy but with all the fresh powder we were convinced it should be in great shape.
After leaving home at 4 am we arrived at the parking lot a eight. There were a few cars parked at the trail head. We were hoping that a trail would be broken to the Matier Joffre coll which ended up to be the case. It was not long before we had our first view of Joffre.
It wasn't totally clear but we were hoping for clearing later.
Travel was easy and it wasn't long before we were above the hut and looking back at Vantage.
And ever expanding views.
The climb up the Anniversary glacier made us drool of the run down on the way back.
From the coll we skied over to the start of the couloir.
The gulley was in perfect conditions but the kick stepping was hard work.
Higher up conditions were firmer but the views down the couloir were great.
Finaly after what seemed like never ending kick stepping we reached the top of the couloir.
 
Another short walk and we were on the summit.
From the summit Matier dominates with (from L to R) Matier, Hartzell, Spetch and Slalok.
 
It was by now after 4 pm and time to head out. Committing yourself to the fist turns in the couloir is a bit unnerving but once you get going it gets easier.
  
It was 5 pm once we reached the bottom of the couloir and time to climb back up to coll. A look back at the couloir from near the coll.
 
A final view down Matier glacier towards Saxifrage and the rest of the peaks around the North Joffre creek area.
Before we went down the Anniversary one final view to the north east with the moon coming up.
The ski down was awesome and we reached the cars at 6.30 pm before darkness. It had taken us just over 10 hours. A very satisfying day in the mountains. |
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 Alberta-based choss climbin', flame throwin', rappel lovin', ass talkin' hater who doesn't like "Gumby" for a descriptor
4996 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 10:41 AM
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| Man that looks like a fun line to ski. |
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Delta, B.C.
Canada
427 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 11:09 AM
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| Another great TR Jos. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1120 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 11:24 AM
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Awesome pictures Jos! Looks like a perfect day out.
Ian |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
11093 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 1:16 PM
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Great trip, my knees would have been shaking too until those first couple of turns went well.
Epic photos, I especially like this one 
You had to be stoked to ski that ! |
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Moxie scambler of pinnacles, tireless leader haunting the CDN/US border climbing everything in sight
Burnaby, BC
Canada
1252 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 3:09 PM
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Fantastic report, Jos! Raphael was telling me yesterday that you guys were doing Joffre via the couloir, so I was hoping you'd put a report up. Great stuff! I'm very jealous!
PB |
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Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
All out of Mexi-Cokes:(
3024 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 6:07 PM
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Great photos indeed. The misty cloud really adds a nice effect to this one.
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 | LeeL
Advanced Member
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Extreme ski tourin, mountain bikin addict who hikes at least once a year
2022 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 6:40 PM
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| So sweet for ski-mountaineering right now . I just bagged the NE face of Fissile. So gripped on the first turns. Congrats!!! |
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Manitoba's misadventurin' bushwhackin', dog sloggin', dehydratin', beer drinkin' biggie - who's eager to peak bag Mt Currie in a dress
Squamish
4700 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 9:02 PM
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| That's a fantastic, and impressive, trip report. Thanks for posting. I'm so impressed by the abilities of some of the skiers out here. |
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| Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 9:05 PM
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| no kidding, i had to downclimb 2/3 of it before i was even comfortable glissading! |
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culmination point, B.C.
Canada
737 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 9:19 PM
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| Wicked stuff as usual |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
120 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 9:20 PM
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| Wow, nice trip! You're TRs are very inspiring. |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
48 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 9:41 PM
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| Nice trip Yos. Very nice pictures |
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| point
Intermediate Member
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coquitlam, B.C.
Canada
680 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2006 : 10:02 PM
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| Breathtaking photos.Thanks for the Views |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4067 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2006 : 08:20 AM
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Wow amazing photos  . Always enjoy your T/R's |
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Calgary, AB
Canada
239 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2006 : 11:08 AM
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Great report! Looks like challenging fun ... |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
663 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2006 : 12:55 PM
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| Great report! |
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Simpson quoting tree hunter and canyon rapping rockhound who longs for the return of his trapped Toyota
Somewhere deep and narrow, BC
Canada
2213 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2006 : 1:16 PM
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| Very cool! I love the wintery shots towards the southwest! |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
412 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2006 : 1:27 PM
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Great job guys. Thanx for the photos.
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I don't know where I am going, but I am on my way. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
921 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2006 : 4:33 PM
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| Beautiful!A classic steep ski descent.Enjoy your posts,it's nice to see quality as opposed to just quantity. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1096 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2006 : 7:21 PM
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| It's really great seeing your trip reports. Thanks. |
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Flatlander doing the 
