Missions, Sheepshead Southwest face

Let's go ski that one!  Photo: Ned Gall

I was able to take advantage of a triple boost of stable snow, a solid partner, and the furlough to ski Sheepshead in the Missions.  I was doubtful that the weather would be good enough, but Ned was keen to have a look, so we headed out at a casual 9:30 after day care drop off. We parked low on the road, but there was plenty of time to ski the peak if conditions allowed.  It took two hours of climbing to surmount the inversion, but once we did we were in a warm, clear, happy world.

Approaching the trailhead below the inversion.

A preliminary look at the face indicated it was in great shape, but the state of the exit gully was an unknown.  I wanted to assess stability in the chute, so we traversed off the summit ridge and climbed the ski run directly, which necessitated a very long and somewhat exposed traverse.  A quick pit coupled with other signs of stability had us confident in stability on this very exposed ski objective.  It is a long grind, but we made steady progress on the climb, switching a few times between booting and steep skinning, and were on the summit about 4.5 hours after leaving the car.  My optimistic planning brain had kicked around the possibility of skiing a second run, but we didn't really have time to.  We both agreed to keep it at one run, but it was going to be one heck of a one-and-done tour.

Ned, booting...

...and skinning on the climb.

The ski run was amazing.  The snow was firm and smooth, and we took our time leapfrogging down the massive face.  We were not able to ski the exit couloir, but had brought crampons and an axe as a backup, and were able to downclimb with a reasonable margin of safety.  The skate across the lakes was quick and fun, and the trail was slow like it normally is.  We made it back to the car about 30 minutes after dark, safe and happy.  I had a fabulous day. Thanks to Leah for letting me stay out late and have this remarkable experience. 

Skiing off Sheepshead, just below the summit. Photo: Ned Gall

Ned skiing on Sheepshead, about half way down the face.

Downclimbing.  Non-trivial but safe.  Thin snow over ice, super glad to have spikes.

Thoughts
In my opinion, this is one of the most iconic lines in the area, with great skiing, but the exposure over cliffs and dubious exit make it too dangerous to be a classic.  Still very much worth doing, with a careful eye on conditions.

With over 4,000 vertical feet of drop, and a coverage crux at the bottom, finding good conditions is challenging, especially in spring.  I kind of think the best way to do it is in winter when the lower mountain has good skiing and the lakes are frozen, but preferably with enough snow to ski the exit.

Ned is getting after it this winter, skiing a ton and exploring where prudent.  Be like Ned.

Ben Brunsvold skied this in 2008 or 2009.  Perhaps the first ski descent? I would love to hear of anyone skiing it earlier.

I really should spend more time in the Missions figuring out the litany of slightly smaller but still very much worthy ski lines on the lower peaks.  I need to go back and ski Sheepshead's moderate looker's left gully.  I also need to spend two or three days exploring around Kakashe, and am running out of excuses to make an attempt on the Soneielem couloir.