Crystal Col

A steep glade that opens into Avalanche Basin, Crystal Col consists of a broad face dotted with trees and narrow gullies. Watch out for cornices that form on the ridge. Drop into one of the many entrance points along the ridge. While the upper section of this run is steep, mandatory air is not necessary. Pick your way through the small alpine firs into the broad open bowl below, where you can enjoy 500 vertical feet to the bottom of upper Avalanche Basin. Either follow the traverse to Damn Fine Forest to the right or veer left into the trees to the bottom of Chair 6. Access from either Southback gate along the Throne ridge bootpack. Traverse around the back of the Throne to Avalanche Basin (A-Basin). Crystal Col is the relatively broad face heading into A-Basin just as the traverse turns more uphill heading towards Kirner's Cornice.