Matt Ruta 
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Some things don’t go as planned. Such was the case in early December when a friend and I were approaching Mt. Chephren’s N face, eyes set on the Kum Ba Jah Couloir. Our eyes were so set, in fact, that we neglected to realize how thin our margin of safety had become as we approached the line. Spurred on by better than anticipated stability, we rationalized that, despite sloughing on other aspects… Read More
Well into the second half of August and still no precipitation to speak of, so time for another corn ski. And a good, solid bushwhack to keep me honest.
It takes a lot to get my skis and I out of our home ranges. The combination of the Rockies, Purcells and Selkirks is enough to provide me with an endless stream of inspiration for ski missions ranging from utterly boring to actually fairly adventurous. This March though, an opportunity to ski in a forgotten chain of 3000m+ peaks in southern Spain and pay a visit to the alpine mecca of Chamonix… Read More
Lately, I’ve developed a thing for condensing perfectly good multi-day objectives into sub 24-hour speed missions. Moving quickly in the mountains is truly addictive, and I am hooked. When Trevor suggested we go after some summer turns in a slightly masochistic take on Mt. Joffre in a day, I was instantly psyched at the opportunity to have a go at the impressive 11000er. After day tripping both the Wapta Traverse and Mt. Columbia… Read More
Last month I enjoyed the incredible opportunity to ski from the summit of Mt. Columbia, in a one day push on my first visit to the legendary Columbia Icefield. After an introduction like that, I was fired up to return to what is, in my mind one of the epicenters of Rockies ski mountaineering. On Friday the 13th I did, setting off with Trevor for a four day mission to the northern arm… Read More
Deep pow, new friends, old friends, unreal terrain and a killer deal at an amazing lodge make for a hut trip to remember. Soul skiing at its finest.
An aesthetic face that, while visible from the resort, can’t get skied often.
Last year, entirely on a whim, Cam Stuchly and I spent two nights skiing deep powder at Ripple Ridge Cabin near the summit of Kootenay pass on the number three highway between Salmo and Creston BC. You can read that trip report here. The gist is that the snow was terrific, we had a great time and we couldn’t wait to come back. So we did, and we brought long time friend… Read More
Matt Ruta 