I’m in Dan’s group again, and we get out fairly early, shortly after 9AM. This was our sunniest day in Antarctica. Zodiac landing and first groups skinning up.
Here I am at the landing. Dan is behind me getting the ropes ready. We will use them on this ascent as were an early group and this terrain has not been skied before.
On the ascent. Our objective is the broad bowl just right of the rocks ahead.
Switchbacks higher on the ascent
As we near the top, one of the first guides coming down. Note his nice powder spray but more wind affected snow closer to us.
Meanwhile Liz has been slotted with a couple of other less experienced women and guide Todd from Tahoe. Todd wants to make a recon run to check the snow out and take the women out after lunch. Liz appealed to Kevin Quinn (owner of Points North Heliski in Cordova, Alaska) and she is allowed to go on the recon with Todd. I am pleased to see her and Todd arrive at the 1,500 foot summit shortly after our group.
Liz and Todd head down first. Liz about to drop in.
Liz, Todd and tracks in the bowl.
The snow is not the lightest powder as the first groups at skier’s right but still quite good. When the pitch flattens out it’s a bit grabbier and I have my only Antarctic crash. Liz and Todd head back to the ship while our group puts the skins back on and ascend the next bowl looker’s right. Here Dan finds a way for us to put some tracks down the fluffiest snow at skier’s right. Brian rips some Antarctic powder here.
Looking back up at first bowl skied.
And the second one
Meanwhile across the bay on Victoria Peak Andrew McLean is leading some of the most advanced groups.
Zoomed view of ascending skiers.
We head down to the bay
It’s around 2PM and we’ve skied 2,600 vertical. I was slower on the second ascent but fortunately had enough energy to enjoy the excellent powder of the second run. Nonetheless I decline the option to go out for more skiing after lunch. It was a good call as Dan took Brian and Greg out to Victoria’s lower slopes which were then shaded after a morning of sun and crusted over.
Meanwhile Liz has had an early lunch and Kevin Quinn decided to take her group out for an afternoon powder lesson. Results here:
Kevin and Liz:
This was the best day of the trip in terms of ski quality and weather for pictures.
Here I am at the landing. Dan is behind me getting the ropes ready. We will use them on this ascent as were an early group and this terrain has not been skied before.
On the ascent. Our objective is the broad bowl just right of the rocks ahead.
Switchbacks higher on the ascent
As we near the top, one of the first guides coming down. Note his nice powder spray but more wind affected snow closer to us.
Meanwhile Liz has been slotted with a couple of other less experienced women and guide Todd from Tahoe. Todd wants to make a recon run to check the snow out and take the women out after lunch. Liz appealed to Kevin Quinn (owner of Points North Heliski in Cordova, Alaska) and she is allowed to go on the recon with Todd. I am pleased to see her and Todd arrive at the 1,500 foot summit shortly after our group.
Liz and Todd head down first. Liz about to drop in.
Liz, Todd and tracks in the bowl.
The snow is not the lightest powder as the first groups at skier’s right but still quite good. When the pitch flattens out it’s a bit grabbier and I have my only Antarctic crash. Liz and Todd head back to the ship while our group puts the skins back on and ascend the next bowl looker’s right. Here Dan finds a way for us to put some tracks down the fluffiest snow at skier’s right. Brian rips some Antarctic powder here.
Looking back up at first bowl skied.
And the second one
Meanwhile across the bay on Victoria Peak Andrew McLean is leading some of the most advanced groups.
Zoomed view of ascending skiers.
We head down to the bay
It’s around 2PM and we’ve skied 2,600 vertical. I was slower on the second ascent but fortunately had enough energy to enjoy the excellent powder of the second run. Nonetheless I decline the option to go out for more skiing after lunch. It was a good call as Dan took Brian and Greg out to Victoria’s lower slopes which were then shaded after a morning of sun and crusted over.
Meanwhile Liz has had an early lunch and Kevin Quinn decided to take her group out for an afternoon powder lesson. Results here:
Kevin and Liz:
This was the best day of the trip in terms of ski quality and weather for pictures.