14th June 2020
Alastair McDowell and Gavin climbed the Northwest Couloir, a rarely climbed route, on a stunning Sunday morning in winter.
After bidding a retreat the previous morning on a different objective due to touchy (avalanche prone) snow, they devised a plan to check out this route in the hope that the snow would be more stable.
Descent was via the standard East Ridge, along the main divide, and began on skis. Velvet smooth snow was quickly replaced by ice and the pair transitioned back to crampons to descend as far as Marcel Col.
Marcel Col to Pioneer hut was skied on excellent snow, and coverage and access on the glacier didn’t present any issues.
