Black Cliffs

A steep series of cliffs and gullies that opens into a wide basin, Black Cliffs is easily identified by a dark rocky buttress that separates it from False Summit Left. Access can be tricky. Stay on the west ridge of Powder Bowl, careful not to duck under the Kemper's ropeline. Kemper's is a permanently closed slope outside of the Crystal boundary. It avalanches regularly, and can break out all the way to the ridge. Black Cliffs is the first opening past the Permanent Closed sign along the rope. The entrance is steep, but gets easier on the left. Fluted spines often form below the cliffs. Work the spines and gullies to the open basin below for 600 vertical feet. At the bottom, catch the traverse track towards Bear Pits for another 500 vertical feet. Alternately, join the Lucky Shot groomer to the base of Rainier Express. The only downside of riding Powder Bowl is that it takes two chair rides to get back to the top to do it again.