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GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, Alaska. Day 4. Today we took a big step up the terrain progression ladder considering it is only our second day on snow. We are surrounded by big terrain. Finding step-in runs is an issue even though the snow pits show a stable snowpack and there has not been a single red flag. It is still hard to put ourselves on big faces. We avoid them at all costs and wallow in the safety of the spines even though it means waist deep tunnelling is in order. We stepped into one of the mellowest bowl’s in our zone and stretched our legs on some wide open spines. Each time out we learn more and more of the terrain. Next up is the “Wall of Walls.” We will start with the mellowest lines on the corner of the wall and how far up the terrain ladder we move up will depend on how long the high pressure holds. Today I was able to see the top ridges and think I found an access coulior to the top of the main ridge. Depending on what we can access there is no limit to how far we can take our riding.
I climbed mountains to know myself better and to find my own dimension, driven by the beauty of alpine nature, by its charm, and by the thirst for knowledge.” Walter Bonatti Italian climbing legend.
**Half way up our first line of the trip and looking back at Ryland Bell. This shows why we hike spines. Two totally different aspects right next to each other. The sunny side was heating up making the it dangerous so I stayed on the shady side. Some days it is the other way around.**
**This is the view of the same face from below. Ryland Bell getting his AK legs back.**
**It was awesome having Lucas around. He is so full of energy and ready to jump anything. I can see the influence of all the Baker legends before him. He is doing the Mt Baker Hardcore’s proud with big natural drops and high speed lines.**
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**Josh Dirksen has one of the best turns in snowboarding. Alaska is a great place for him to show it off.**
**Our camp is at the top of the glacier to the center left. We did not want to go home the way we came because it was steeper and more exposed then we thought. Eventually we found a way up on the face to the right.**
**The last rays of sun 11 hours into our day and three hours from home.**
