1-6-11 North Summit Timp via East Face

[Trackhead]

I saw this line years ago when hiking Timp in the summer. It's incredibly aesthetic and striking in the summer. But two years ago, Jim Harris and I took a look at it up close in the winter, but for some reason didn't ski it that day. I looked at it again last year, but it didn't have enough snow. After studying snow totals for this time of year compared to the last two years, we figured today might be the day to give it a go. 13" of water in the form of snow recently dumped on Timpanogos, so if the line would ever be skiable, it would be now.

The line needs no explanation.


O'dark thirty. No sleds on this trip, as they don't really help much getting to Timpanooke. 6 people in our group.


Heading to the Giant Staircase.


This little traverse into the Staircase is always spooky.


After a while you poke out of the sub-alpine and the terrain changes immediately into jaw dropping high alpine. The east face (our objective) can be seen poking out above the plateau.


As you approach the face, more and more comes into view. You keep wondering, does it go?




No wind, nice temps, nice short break.


Good booting conditions as this face slid during the big storm.


Our group was admittedly quiet and humbled looking at the face. I think we were all looking for a way out and an excuse to not ski it. Everything looks worse from a distance, and we weren't sure if the line went clean or not. None of us had any ropes, crampons, or other stuff, so......


Crazy Cerro Torre like plastering.


Andy booting up the North Summit. We climbed the peak behind him first, then traversed in. It's longer this way, but it gives you the best opportunity to study the face.


Scoping other possibilities and exits from the face.


5+ hours to the summit with favorable conditions today. No wind at all today.


One of the cruxes is safely finding a way on to the face. This ridge has huge cornices, and it takes a little poking around to find a safe way onto it.


Jim on the upper face.


The herd collects above the choke as Jim descends into it.


The first crux wasn't too bad. A little side stepping over rock through the choke. Alex pointed it through this, which is his style. A tumble here would make for a quick ride to the bottom.


Below the choke it was wide open neve. Alex making his way down.


Tom coming in, all smiles.


Mr. Harris.


Jim found the way through this next section, which was very helpful, as the direct line down below us was a no go.


Tom keeping it real.




Mr. Harris at the edge of the abyss and no man's land.


We gave some thought to committing to this line directly below Jim, but eventually we opted to find another way through as we couldn't see if it went clean. Once again, we got lucky and found a little side step couloir to sneak through.


Off the face and into Pika Cirque. Alex loving the remoteness.


Noah in the bonus couloir into Wooley Hole.


Andy carving chalk with the big east face behind him.


Not to be outdone, the lower mountain serves up another bobsled couloir with excellent snow.


It took a while to get out because we all kept stopping to admire the mountain and the line we skied.


Line follows left sunshine skyline.


Can't beat skiing a nice, exposed face in the wilderness, then getting home by 2:30pm. One of the better days for me.

I'm sure Jim will be serving up some much better photos.

[Boomer28]

As always, excellent work man. Way to keep the stoke flowing.

[montanaskier]

well that didn't suck

[mtskier]

well played. always look forward to your TRs.

[CS]

Awesome. Love the Timp trip reports. Solid work. I too have looked longingly at that face.

[LeeLau]

Six people on that thing? Good friends who trust each other no doubt.

I like the stream of consciousness that went into the waiting part. Locals prerogative to have the patience to wait for the moment.

[Imz]

job well done.

[PROVO]

congratulations guys! That is a beautiful face, on one of the best mountains around.

[Trackhead]

Six people on that thing? Good friends who trust each other no doubt.

Yeah, six folks. Surprisingly absolutely no clusterfuck. Everybody has equal fitness and motivation, so it went well.

Another good sign is when you say you're meeting at 5:15am and everyone shows up early.

[brutah]

holy shit dood! that was kick ass! sweet line on my favorite mountain in ootah!

[KillingCokes]

Very nice. Good to see the TRs returning.

[scottcha]

Nice Job, miss seeing that mountain!

[pointedem]

ur pumped, nice work

[beaterdit]

Nice line!

[tyfalk]

great stuff guys!!!

[Sutter]

Beautiful mountain and sick line, nice!

[DCrider]

I was beginning to think I read this board for the pissing matches and whining, but it is really for great post's like this one. Thanks for a great TR.

[Slaag Master]

legendary! the stuff us weebols dream of

[concretejungle]

Thanks TH. I've missed your photo TR's but this year has delivered.

[mc_roon]

very cool

[thin cover]

TH never ceases to awe, thanks for the right up, nice line and excellent effort.

[grizzle6]

Radical.

[sidewall]

That was seriously impressive.

[TeleThor]

Another legit TH TR. Love it.

[p.blz]

Yeah!

Thanks for that