Stepping Back

Mindful of society rapidly descending into hysterical fear and the real threat of global pandemic, our crew wisely stepped back from more aggressive objectives. Skied into Chickadee valley and up the lower east col on Whymper. Highly wind scoured, sun affected, and crusty. Occasional preserved cold snow in trees with 10-15 cm ski pen. We hugged climbers left on way up avoiding O/H hazard from cornices on main Whymper massif. -15 at TH at 0930 and -0.5 at 2100 m at 1140 highlighted the rapid daytime warming. Final 80 metre boot pack up to col was easy, not quite bucket steps but easy toe punches. Snowpack felt bomber. Old cornice debris on route, and some light spindrifts off Whymper, but otherwise No new avalanches observed. Remembered the fallen today. Susie Lantz, gone from our lives but never forgotten. You inspired us. Dream big, ski fast, live in the moment, and fear not for the future.