FATMAP by Strava

Postage Stamp Couloir

Incredible ambiance amongst towering spires of golden rock and sustained skiing make this line a classic.

Ski Touring Severe

Distance
2.6 km
Ascent
991 m
Descent
991 m
Duration
3-4 hrs
Low Point
0 m
High Point
991 m
Gradient
58˚
Postage Stamp Couloir Map

This line was first skied by Ross Hewitt, Marcus Waring and FATMAP author Tom Grant during their 2014 trip to the area. The team spotted this attractive looking line from their camp opposite Ford Wall and thought it merited closer inspection. A perfect couloir of 900 meters vertical amongst breathtaking granite architecture made for an unforgettable descent. The line is sustained at 35-50 degrees with it significantly steepening near the top. The couloir does not top out but pinches off into a very steep gully that becomes un-skiable.

Description

Like The Inquisition, the Postage Stamp Couloir faces south-east so an early start is essential. Many of Baffin’s most famous lines like Polar Star Couloir and the lines on Ford Wall are predominantly shady, typically giving great skiing on grippy and chalky snow or compact powder. However, Baffin’s climate means that the sunny aspect couloirs often have perfect spring snow and undergo reliable cycles of transformation, giving normally safe and awesome corn snow to rip! The sunny ambiance on these lines is a welcome break from the more austere and cold north facing lines. The main hazard in some of Baffin’s south facing lines can come from rockfall (typically only small rocks) during the hottest period of the day.

The line is several kilometers to the lookers’ right side of The Inquisition but can be skied easily from the same camp. It comes down from a 1,500 meter high massif that is part of Remote Peninsula and the granite spires reminded the team of the famous Mont Blanc du Tacul East Face in the Mont Blanc Massif.

The name of the couloir comes from the fact that Tom took over a 1,000 photos during the trip that were of a very low resolution due to an accidental mistake with the camera settings, disappointing the team’s sponsors.

Difficulty

Severe

Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between April and May

Features

  • Couloir
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area