You are unique because you go after big peaks. Most skiers couldn’t care less if they make a summit or not just go after good lines (as you just said). Mountaineers are more driven to get to the summit – you seem to fall into that category as well. Climbers again just care about the difficulty or aesthetics of a nice line on a crag. This couloir is not interesting for an ice climber for sure. For a mountaineer it’s a bit more exciting route than the scree slog – hence the choice. But back to your trip, you had awesome conditions for climbing as well as for skiing, and I think I understand how steepness is not a big factor for good skiers.

I don’t bother carrying one because conditions are such a huge part of how difficult a ski is. I’m chasing interesting lines, not steep lines, steepness is just one factor of many.

I’ve stopped taking an inclinometer with me but sure felt more than 45* at the steepest. 50-55* is a fair guess from some respected mountaineers (whom I actually believe). But fair enough most of it is less than, or around 45*. If it’s all ice it must be quite exhilarating.

Glad you liked it. Not sure it was the 55+* mountaineers hype it to be (as many north faces in the Rockies are rated), but it was a good ski.

Yes, your ski down looked really enticing. Definitely a lot nicer than the slog out. Smart…..

Saw your entry in the register, sounded like a fun day. Sluff potential seems a lot easier to bear than rockfall, plus then you get to ski down after!