Ward 3 (8,799) North and other diversion

The conceptual framework for the day was to ski Bitterroot peak to creek runs before low elevation snow melted, and I was excited to share it with partners.  When I the response to rolling out of town at 4 am was greeted with enthusiasm, I knew we were probably in for a good day.

A few hours later, it was go time, and I found myself chasing two headlamps as they faded up into the darkness.  Clearly, I had my work cut out trying to keep up.  We summited Ward at 8 am sharp, and pieced icy snow strips together down the South face, exiting skier's right a bit early in order to traverse as far up drainage as possible.  Another good push put us on top of the BRIBE as the South face just started to soften into tepid corn.  The ensuing run was delightful.  

Climbing to West Camas with our first run in the background.

Even with the proper early start, the climb out of the North Fork of Lost Horse creek was hot, and we arrived back on West Camas a bit cooked.  On the return, we took two fun short runs (North face of West Camas and the upper Northeast face of the Fin) before casting off down the 3,600 vertical foot skier's right gully on Ward 3 (8,799).  To my immense pleasure, the run ended being really fun with decent snow top to bottom, a variety of interesting terrain, and a bit of wrangling in the brush down low to give it the Bitterroot seal of approval.  

Last up with the Fin in the background.

Mid way down the Ward 3 run, as things started to get interesting.

We took a good break in the warm sun at Roaring Lion creek.  The exit ended up being quite horrid.  It appears that the trail has not been cleared in several years, and constant, heavy downfall made for a slow skins-on exit with lots of acrobatics to negotiate down trees.  All in all a great way to wrap up what ended up being a short but quality period of excellent skiing with lots of low elevation snow.  

Mollman peak 8,632, South Face right

1/30/25: I took a rare mid-week day off to take advantage of the end of a high pressure period and ski something different.  With fairly robust low elevation snow, the drive to the trailhead of sorts at Mollman was scary with deep snow and I probably would have picked a different objective had I known.

Near the summit, looking down the upper icy bits.

The climb was a bit different than expected.  With extra snow, the ingress included less approach shoe walking and more wallowing through deep snow interspersed with brush.  It was also remarkable to see the extent of surface hoar on shaded aspects, a weak layer that would plague the Northern ranges for a long time deeper into the season.  Once in the basin below the peak, I was surprised to see a massive debris pile.  After a pause to puzzle through what was going on, I realized that it was from glide avalanches on solar bear grass slopes, an avalanche problem that was reportedly plaguing the Flathead avalanche zone.  As a result, I re-routed my climbing route onto the summer trail and upper Southwest face, which was inefficient, but avoided ascending below bear grass slopes.  I made a calculation that the risk associated with skiing down the face was acceptable given the cold day and limited exposure time.  

The ski run was so fun.  There was some ice near the summit that I had to get my head in the game for, but with care it was fine, and the rest of the run flowed well through interesting terrain with powder transitioning to corn transitioning to surfy surface hoar down in the shaded canyon.  I skied the full run to the lake.  

Thin powder...

... brief taste of corn ...

... ending with surface hoar.

Lots of whippy willows and interesting survival trail skiing on the way out was a fun way to close out the day. 

Thoughts: I skied the looker's right gully on Mollman peak 8632, the gully on the Southwest face that takes off just South of the summit.  This zone is pretty obscure, but I'd totally go back.  I think the best timing is in early spring right when the road melts out, but before conditions open up enough to make the more alpine haunts of the Missions more compelling.