April 13, 2025
Aussie Couloir is a beautiful and moderate couloir that tops out the ridgeline just below the summit of Joffre. Being on a very south aspect, timing with the sun is very important in the spring. It can easily form crusts in the spring heat. I use ShadeMap for timing lines with Solar Exposure. It overlays the sun exposure on a topo with the exact date/time. Other apps can do this as well, ShadeMap is entirely free to use.
https://shademap.app/@50.33822,-122.45748,13.60559z,1744646357923t,0b,0p,0m
We left the hut at 0630 skinning up in the morning glow. Over anniversary col we skied down Matier Glacier to the base of the line. We donned crampons and started booting up the melt-freeze crust.
After topping out the ridge we continued up a short ways to the summit of Joffre. It was a beautiful day with high clouds. The melt freeze crust had started to soften by the time we started skiing down. It was firm, but held an edge well. Making for springy, fun jump turns.
By the time we got to Anniversary Glacier the high cloud had caused a greenhouse effect cooking everything. Even sheltered north aspects were pinwheeling down onto the glacier. Thin cloud cover can have an even more drastic effect on warming than clear skies.
Sandro Summits 
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