Welcome the heart of the Sawtooth
We have just returned back to the village after a few days exploring deep into the Sawtooth. When local skier/mountaineer (Chris) invited an old childhood friend (Matt) out from New York City to Idaho for a backcountry ski trip, Matt pictured fields of mellow powder and easy hikes. The journey Matt embarked on was something a bit different. Good thing Matt had years of experience in the inner city punk scene…
Beach break at Redfish Lake on the way to Bench Hut
Approaching the Bench Hut
Arriving at the Bench Hut
Early starts mean beautiful sunrises
approaching the land of the Grendel
Climbing above the 5th Bench Lake
atop the 1st pass of the day (a couple more to go!)
beneath the west summit of Heyburn
The first descent of the day into the Monolith Basin
ripping turns down into the Monolith Basin
welcome to the deep Sawtooth
Joe, happy to be back
climbing
gap toothed buddy
granite backdrop
the sneak onto Braxon Peak
now where are we going?
Chris, at home in the mountains
There is a lot of trust here…
rappel into the Bird Cage
Just a couple more steps and then skis on…
and now we are skiers
and now the skiing
Upper Bowl#2
The upper bowl of the Bird Cage
Stoked to be off a rope and on skis!
Chris ripping the Bird Cage
the lower bowl of the Bird Cage
Matt ripping under the Monolith
Niels dropping
Chris keeping strong form
Matt, skiing out under the Monolith after a descent of the Bird Cage
the final traverse back toward home
after 10 hours on the go
Chris in space
beauty
Stretching the legs as the clouds break
Enjoying a sunny beer with a view of our ski tour from Stanley
The mighty Sawtooth rising above the clouds
