In case you have been skiing too much to keep up on your internetting, you better check out the following. Andrew McLean just finished up a 10 day odyssey up and down the ‘Classic’ lines of the Wasatch. See the full story here at www.straightchuter.com.
I was lucky enough to tag along on two of the lines and snapped some pics of the man of steel will.
#7 The Hypodermic Needle
Here is Andrew topping out of the ‘Y’ Couloir.
I’ve been a huge admirer of Andrew and what he has done in the mountains for a long time. However, we haven’t skied together much due to the fact that I’m too slow and Andrew hates Telemark skiers. Luckily Andrew was tired enough by day 7 that I was able to at least maintain visual contact on the ascent.
AM conducting some business at the top of the ‘Hypo’.
This really is an amazing line for steep narrow skiing. It gets better later in the year and becomes wider with less rocks to step through.
The man is a ginsu knife on skis, he slices and dices with accuracy.
#8 Lisa Falls
We booted up Tanners at sunrise.
Dropping down the saddle into upper Broads Fork we got a good view of the Dromedary Traverse (in green), another one of Andrew’s first descents in the Wasatch. In fact, I don’t think it’s been repeated and you can see why.
The ridge walk to the top of Twin Peaks is one of my favorite spots in the Wasatch.
Added bonus is you get to scramble some fun rock ledges.
Pretty nice views towards Lone Peak.
This pic captures the somewhat dizzying 5,000ft of vertical that drops to the Little Cottonwood Canyon road.
The choke was tight and full of debris.
There was some fine corn to be had.
The snow ran thin in spots requiring some portaging. Look closely you can see Andrew’s dart throwing skills.
Lisa Falls does indeed have a waterfall which requires some rope work to descend. Andrew is so accustomed to rappelling ski lines he now does it with his eyes closed to make it more of a challenge.
It was fun to get out with Andrew and his crew for a couple of big lines. Congrats on the Classic 10 in 10 it’s a pretty amazing feat! Looking forward to see what Andrew comes up with next.
Fsatch,
We traversed out and down a little from the top of the Y and then skied down into Coalpit. From there you can easily skin up underneath the headwall until the ridge. The ridge was really nice and straightforward, no pro or bouldering necessary.
Jared,
Nice to meet and ski with you as well. Thanks for waiting for me and saving me from drowning in the falls.
Yeah, you guys made me feel a little AT envy. I have been looking at the Super Duper Coaster, but I’m not sure I’m in shape yet. Adding Box Elder to the link up would be really fun.
Hey Noah,
Whats the traverse like from the y over to the needle? Does it invlove any protection or hairy bouldering manuvers this time of year. Nice work by the way I enjoy your blog, keep it coming!
Hey Noah. Cool pics. It was a double whammy for me, getting to ski with two people I admire: you and Andrew. I didn’t tell you this, but I was once a telemarker; actually, all of us probably were at one time. (Don’t worry, you’ll give it up one day too.) Actually, maybe not, since you rip it!
Is there a Super Duper Coaster on tap?