Route Description:

Timing will be tricky as you'll need to reach the Esmerelda Basin Trailhead via Forest Service Road 9737, which will probably still have a fair amount of snow at the time you want to ski this southwest facing line: keep this in mind while planning your trip, since it may be longer than the stats on paper.

 

From Esmerelda Basin TH you'll follow Ingall's Way Trail heading north then east towards Longs Pass. When you reach Longs Pass, transition for a ski into Ingalls Creek basin with a gorgeous view of Mount Stuart directly in front of you. As you reach Ingalls Creek, look for a safe crossing, from which you will head towards the base of the Cascadian Couloir at around 4,800 feet. This is where you will camp if your treating this as an overnight.

 

From this point you'll climb north into the Cascadian Couloir. Considering the steepness of the climb you will be booting. At 7,600 feet you will reach the ridge above the couloir from which you will start to head north then northwest to the False Summit. Depending on snow pack, you may want to skirt along the south side of the False Summit at around 9,150 feet or it may be safer top out (as in the GPX shared here.)

 

Once you've solved the False Summit move, you'll take a west-northwesterly traverse up to the true summit at 9,415 feet. Take a moment to admire the prominence of this peak as you gaze across the Teanaway and Central Cascades.

 

Begin your descent by dropping off the summit into the south facing snow ramp which will steer you towards a massive rock wall on your left: You've entered Ulrich's Couloir. It's cold along the rock wall, so be prepared for steep variable snow as you find occasional reprieve in the sunnier slopes to the skier's right side (this may offer the corn your hoping for.) Stay in control, cause a fall here can have terrible consequences. While fairly continuous at the top, you'll need to assess each pitch to determine whether it'll ski cleanly or require a rappelle.

 

Once you've exited the steeps, ski southeastwardly towards your creek crossing. From here, head back up to Longs Pass for a bonus ski back down to the Esmerelda TH.