Mt. Matier East Ridge 1/14/07

Aaron, Mike and I went up to Keiths hut for a try at the East Ridge on Matier. Avy and weather were forecast to be very mild and for the most part it turned out to be true. Pretty windy on top and cold, probably -18 or so since it was -14 at the parking lot.
We arrived at the parking lot at 6 Pm on Friday figuring that we got a jump on the traffic but we saw 11 cars already parked there. We decided that it was better to get a hotel close by rather than spend a night with 20 - 30 guys in the hut.
Next day we were at the trailhead at 5;30 and at the toe of the glacier 1 1/4 hours later. A nice ski track and a lot of snow up high. The creek was 6 - 8 feet down in places.
Mike branched off to the hut and skied all day, Aaron and I went over and up the east ridge. We scooted down a convenient chute and traversed to the col and up. skied down and back out to the truck
It was really a great day in the mountains and we were all suitably tired and satisfied by the end of it.

A-Ron broke trail most of the day and carried the rope. Thanks buddy.

Dawn lighting and we are on the ridge.

Snow on the sharp ridge was nice and hard.

Glacier and Keiths hut are to the left, East ridge to the right.

Kicking steps.

Mid east ridge.

Going up to the col and nice panorama.

Traverse and downclimb a bit.

Traversing to the col.

Enjoying the surroundings.

Middle of ridge.

View of upper ridge.

Interesting swirl of clouds around the summit.

Summit on the right.

Fast pizza break.

Me with Joffre in the background.