New Route Impressions

North Face Bjørnskartind

No guidebook.

When I first started exploring these mountains, there were no guidebooks, and, while there were some websites that described routes and approaches, nothing was comprehensive, or to any standard of safety\difficulty ratings.

I had just bought my first set of Randonee boots and skis, and was anxious to get out and try something.

Just a map, and a simple plan.

Head up the valley, go over the col. Pump up to the summit, ski down the other side.

The contours on the map showed it could be done.

The cirque at the end of the valley is so steep.  No ice axe.  No crampons.  Strap skis to pack, strip baskets off ski poles, sink poles deep into the snow, piolet style.  Traverse an exposed ledge, camming and bending ski poles into cracks in the rocks, kicking steps oh so carefully.  Dropping through uncosolidated snow to rock underneath.  Now a straight posthole to the col.

Get off the steep ridge to the rounded slopes.  Sudden summit.  Relief.

Careful survey of slopes for the descent.  Deep new snow, bright warming sunshine, unknown avalanche conditions.  Too new to the game to even know what to look for.  If the slope goes, where do I exit?  What is the safest line?  Double, triple check all the gear, new and unfamiliar bindings.  One boot is too tight.  Stand just off the crest, body and thoughts uneven.  Stillness and decision.

One thought is clear, if I drop in, there will be no hard turns, just smooth arcs, the faster I can go without wiping out, the safer I'll be.

A short hesitant turn, then another hop-turn to get under the cornice.  Carefully slide to a stop.  Hesitate one last time.

Drop.

The roaring silence of increasing speed and soft deep snow.  Within seconds, the descent is half over.  Joyful giant swooping turns looping down the widening flattening slope.

As far as I know, no one has skied this route, before or since my foolish day out.  Maybe it will stay that way.