Some Like it Hot: Springtime on Fissile

Words by Amy McDermid. Photos by Amy McDermid and Robbie Roberts

Fissile is a pretty long haul for a day trip. For those like Jen 'Energizer Bunny' Ashton and Ryan 'The Human Lung' McRae, the long journey wasn't a huge deal. They were lucky to not be hauling huge cameras like the rest of us. Robbie Roberts and I should have taken the weather into consideration before strapping SLRs to our chests for the long skin and bootpack up Fissile peak. If not for such a heavy load, maybe we could have skied Saddle Chute instead of Banana.

Ryan and Jen looking at the objective, Fissile Peak. And that's already 3/4 of the way there. Long day.

Jen Ashton shredding down the backside of Oboe Ridge. Robbie Roberts photo.

We slathered on the sunscreen and made a quick boot pack up Flute before skiing down the backside to begin the long skin to Fissile. We started the day at 10am, and should have been earlier since Jen said she had to work at 4pm. Serious time constraint, I don't think I woulda brought the big gun had I known.

Anyway, we sweated and toiled our way to the bottom of the bootpack. Jen decided to give'er, and with The Human Lung spotting her skiing down, she motored to work and made it with 10 minutes to spare. Robbie and I chilled at the top of the mountain to see what there was to see, and to eat some food before skiing Banana.

Ryan 'The Human Lung' McRae bootpacking.

The Human Lung right before dropping in.

After eating I had to re-apply the hot pink Zinka to protect my precious lips from that blast solar radiation. I ensured that other members of the group remained heavily-zinkad for the entirety of the journey as well. Just looking out for friends, you know?

Amy McDermid skiing down Banana Chute. Robbie Roberts photo.

Hot Pink Zinka, keeping skiers looking very, very desirable since 1980.

The snow in banana chute hadn't been affected by the sun, since it pretty much never sees any light, and it was an incredible top to bottom powder run. I'm pretty sure the Zinka kept me from bailing due to fatigue from the long trek to the mountain.

Robbie Roberts coming out the bottom of Banana Chute.

We met Ryan down at the bottom and hung out for about an hour. We threw snowballs at each other and admired Fissile. On the skin back over to Cowboy Ridge we stopped at the Russet Hut to say hi to some fellas and watch some more skiers cruise down the mountain.

Our new buddies Jordan and Sandy on a multi-day Fissile adventure.

Ryan coming down Cowboy Ridge.

Ryan and Amy on the long walk home. Robbie Roberts photo.

There's not much to say about the skin out except that The Singing Pass trail is, and always will be hard on the knees. Also, the booters that people built to launch over the open creeks have since melted, and some of them are somewhat challenging to get over. We celebrated with some cold refreshing beverages at Rick's Mix and talked about mountain biking the entire time. Good times had by all. Now, how to cover this sunburn line on my forehead before I go to work...