Going and Knowing

Our high point for the day above Center Ridge, Turnagain Pass, AKYou don’t know ‘til you go. Isn’t that what we always say? It’s the war cry for leaving the house for an adventure when forces and opinions conspire against doing so. It was my mantra this morning as I walked out into frigid sub-zero temps under cobalt skies and headed to Turnagain Pass with Matt.

Only the most stubborn are skiing these days in Alaska. We haven’t seen a lick of snow and hardly a cloud in over two weeks. The cold has sucked the life from the snow pack creating a faceted nightmare sure to spook us for weeks to come. But for now, I want to ski and, although the usual terrain looks like a ski resort with no tracks to be made, I figured there would still be enjoyable snow for those willing to work for it.

Matt was game. He likes to exercise like me so we selected Center Ridge below Tincan as our access highway to bigger things beyond. Way beyond. Neither of us trust the snow pack but figured we could find the right slopes to get what we needed. We did.

Our morning was painfully cold. It was one of those starts where you can’t feel your fingers before you even get your pack on. God I miss my van. Not the most elegant startFor some reason, we decided to explore an alternative route to the ridge and ended up testing our motivation through some alders that actually had me skiing ABOVE the snow instead of on it, balanced as I was on the dense brush. Novel, for sure, but not something I need to do again.We need to be over there

We finally got out into the open and onto the ridge. As expected, there was a skin track but likely made by skinny ski types and not ski mountaineers. This was confirmed when the track disappeared long before the real climbing started and we were left to our own devices.Matt gaining Center Ridge

We angle up and south into a high basin, apparently a small glacier, and made our way to a col on the spine of the divide. The Library - spine lines for the masses off Tincan

The small glacier just before the colTopping out we were greeted by insanely beautiful views all around, particularly west toward the massive Spencer Glacier.

On top and in the sunWe booted up a short ridgeline into the sun onto a small summit and proceeded to ski some creamy, aged pow to the basin below. Matt enjoying some sunny funSort of silly how good it was. Another lap up to the ridgeline bought us another fun descent. With two hours of day light left and about 6 miles back to the car, we climbed back up to the col and headed home. The descent back to the ridge was giggle-inducing powdered joy.Back up and over...massive Spencer Glacier beyond

Things to do later. The south face of Kickstep MountainOnce on the ridge, skins went back on and we made our way down the traditional route to the car. We dropped back into the freezer by the parking lot 5:52, 5,200 verts and 13.4 miles for the day. I’d say it was worth a look. So much so, I’m going back tomorrow for more. I know it’s going to start snowing eventually but, until it does, we’re making the most of it.

Comments

[Kelly Tjaden]

Thanks! I had considered this same tour during the recent doldrums but like you fled south to Eastern B.C. to the powder highway over the holly daze. Where did you park and anything you can recommend on the approach?

[Brian]

Hi Kelly,

Thanks for reading.

I dont' think the Center Ridge tour is the typical fare for the average Turnagain powder slayer but I really enjoyed it and loved seeing all the terrain out there. The nordic folks go out a ways so you'll have a track for at least some of it.

Park at the big lot at Mile 68. It's the one with the toilets. Head to the right and cross the bridge and then veer left up toward the Snotel on the ridge. Then, just point 'em to the hills. We veered right up that basin, which was lovely, but you could go left too. Depends upon conditions and motivation, I guess.

Cheers.