Atlantic Peak Expedition Part I

Splitboards Get First Descents on Atlantic and West Atlantic Peaks

Shoshone NF, Southern Wind River Range, Popo Agie Wilderness, Christina Lake Area

April 2nd, 2006

We got up a bit earlier for this expedition. The objective being; climb Atlantic Peak and maybe West Atlantic too. Yes, these peaks already have names- ha! They have been climbed a little in the summer. Nobody that I know of, except me, has summitted them in the winter. These two peaks are the tallest in the Southern Winds. They are the two in the middle of this photo, set back aways. Atlantic peak is approximately 12,200 feet. West Atlantic is closer to 12,500 feet.

Ready to ride. We loaded the machines around 7am at Louis Lake parking lot. It's about a 15 mile snow machine ride into Christina Lake from here. If the trail is good it's about a 30 minute snow machine ride.

Starting the climb up the Big Mountain Drainage towards the major saddle to North of Big Mountain. The machines get parked in the trees down closer to the lake. It's not a steep climb up this drainage, but it's long.

Whew! Finally on top of the saddle. Time for a breather. The Big Mountain summit is in the background.

The view was great form the saddle. Here's a look into a nifty bowl off the back side of West Atlantic Peak.

This is the backside slope (SE facing) of West Atlantic Peak. Talk about big lines!

After the saddle, we had to traverse a bolder field to get at the face of Atlantic Peak that we wanted to climb. Seems like most of the west facing slopes in the Southern Winds are wind scoured like this. Hard to believe there was absolutley no wind on this day. Incredible.

Finally, finished with the bolder field traverse. Next up- Atlantic Peak. It's the slightly smaller peak behind me on the right.

First we had to descend a bit, to get at the base of Atlantic Peak.

Chuck and Karla traversing and climbing the ridge up Atlantic Peak.

Karla making the final push up the face of Atlantic Peak.

Chuck, getting close to the summit of Atlantic Peak.

Shad, on top of 12,200 foot Atlantic Peak. West Atlantic Peak looms in the background. Hmmm, wonder if we should do it too?

Back at home, Tally trains for an adventure of this nature some day.

Chuck and Karla assume the postion. They begin the first splitboard descents of Atlantic Peak.

Karla picks her line.

A big line.

Chuck lets it rip. That's Atlantic Lake and half of Wyoming below him.

Chuck and Karla ride Atlantic Peak!

Not bad. Not exactly powder. Considering it was blue sky, warm and absolutely no wind (rare at 12 thousand feet), we'll take it!

Chuck signs for time out, as we boot hike up another mountain to find a good line home.

Peaking the crest of the ridge that we'll ride back to the machines, we get a great view of Big Mountain.

One last look back at Atlantic Peak and Atlantic Canyon. It's been a long beautiful day.

Great scenery all day. This is the Atlantic Canyon cirque. So many lines!

Chuck and Karla get ready for the ride home.

Chuck bringin' it home!

Chuck and Karla follow my line back to the machines. Trees! Must be getting close. Made it back to the machines around 4pm.

One last look a the peaks we spent all day on. Absolutely stellar weather. Awesome day! Speck out part 2 for the details on our West Atlantic Peak climb.