3-4 Coulior 2010?

I had a successful attempt of the 3-4 on Saturday June 12. It was a fun day on what has got to be one of the most photographed big lines in the world. 

I left Golden at 2:30 am enroute for Morraine Lake. 

The morning light was amazing. Mt. Fay was lit up and looked so tantalizing. We could see that there were some runnels in the middle of the line but we hoped that the recent rain had brought soft snow. Photo is of BP approaching the 3-4. 

We had brought skins but didn't need them. The snow was hard right from the beginning of the line. This is a shot looking up from the bottom. 

Didn't tak any photos in the climb up. Was too busy pushing as hard as I could to the top. There was a group of 4 above me and I didn't want to be in the middle of the route when they started skiing. It was hard snow for at least 75% of the climb. This is the view from the top. Mt. Assinaboine is the prominent peak on the horizon. 

A shot of the Neil Colgan hut at the top of the 3-4

Didn't shoot any pics on the way down. Was too busy skiing. The top was awesome but the middle was terrible refrozen, runneled, ice. It was pretty much just survival skiing. Here's a shot after skiing it on our way out. 

There was another group going up when I skied down. They were attempting Mt. Fay the next day. It looked in prime condition. It's the peak on the left hand side of this image. Sorry i have no zoom on my camera: my daughter broke it...

All in all, a great day in the mountains, with perfect weather. The skiing below 2300 metres is not recommended any more. I think I might be content to call this winter over.

-TG

I'm feeling like I belong to too many ski forums, in case it was not seen elsewhere here's the photos again. First time for all but Dave on the 3-4, very cool line. Mixed bag of conditions but what can you expect for mid June? Way to go Peakz, you were definitely moving quick on the way up. The ski was interesting, certainly rewarding to complete it.

At the bottom of the couloir, crampons and ice axe are about to go on:


Dave (the machine) solo skied Temple about 1 1/2 weeks ago:


Heading up, the top of the pitch is apparently 50-55 degrees. The runnels and very hard snow mid ways up proved more challenging both on the up and down than the soft snow up high.


Steadily plodding up the 1000 metres of vertical. Tricky runnels can be seen and required some navigating both walking and skiing.


In the soft snow on the steep upper portion. The turns on this section turned out to be fun and enjoyable.


What a view! Mere steps from the actual top of the couloir.


Walking around on the plateau of the glacier.




Time to head down! Despite the initial steepness this upper part proved to be fun and relatively easy turning. No tele turns for me though, I can alpine turn proficiently and didn't want to end up as hamburger at the bottom trying to show off the freeheel.


Navigating runnels and icy conditions amidst spectacular scenery.


All smiles after making our way down.


Two people on the left make their way up on a late start. Peakz on the right making his way down not far behind our group.

sweet. cool pics.