Gash Point
Wonderful tour into alpine terrain with a multitude of descent options.
Ski Touring Moderate
- Distance
- 6.2 km
- Ascent
- 1.2 km
- Descent
- 5 m
- Duration
- 4-5 hrs
- Low Point
- 1.5 km
- High Point
- 2.7 km
- Gradient
- 25˚
This classic tour takes you through a perfectly spaced sub-alpine forest on low angle slopes and ends at a true Bitterroot summit. From the summit, options seem endless with ski descents possible on almost all sides of the mountain, into various drainages, and of wide ranging challenge.
Description
To the southwest lies the North Fork of Bear Creek, with the monarch Sky Pilot beckoning to its beautiful north face.
To the east (along your ascent track) is 4000' of fine low angle tree skiing, which all but avoids avalanche risks (except as you traverse from the summit, watch out for wind slabs).
The north face can be skied from the true summit, although safer entry is found a few hundred feet below to skiers right, navigating between steep cliffs. Once on the face, 3000' of wonderful fall line skiing takes you into the seldom visited, but awe inspiring drainage of Sweathouse Creek. From here, options abound with both south and north facing couloirs in plain view. To return, tour down drainage until you can climb the low saddle back to your skin track in Gash Creek. The climb is short but steep and riddled with complex terrain features so be vigilant of avalanche risks.
Difficulty
Moderate
Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.
Best time to visit
Features
- Bowl
- Face
- Alpine
- Cliffs
- Couloir
- Ski Safari
- Tree Skiing
- Ski Mountaineering
Equipment required
- Skins
- Crampons