Swan Range: Near Devine Peak - The 80/20 rule.

As an accounting major at the University of Montana, I've found an unduly amount of 'business terms/rules' being thrown around. One of which, the 80/20 rule; whether that be 20% of your customers typically provide 80% of your revenue. Or less business inspired, 80% of that hot dog is "mostly meat" and 20% constituting, well, something else. (Or maybe I got that backwards?)

In this context, alpine touring began for me by distributing excitement by 80% skiing, 20% touring. Within a year those numbers have flipped, finding myself enjoying the touring aspect of any outing/exploration more than the skiing itself. True then, the 20% skiing on the way back is a very nice bonus, especially when complemented w/ great snow. Besides, joys of the downhill portion is the only thing that separates us from cross-country skiers.

First path heading into Blind Canyon, and our route for the day.

Mike, and the snow scooters. 

One of my favorite pictures from the trip. Tons of runnels from the trees.

A false summit of Devin Peak, which sits just a few hundred feet behind this guy.

Upon reaching the bowl towards the top, we deemed it prudent to do a [what we thought would be] quick pit to check up on the conditions. With 190cm of snowpack @ ~6,800ft South aspect, a consistent [3x] failure developed at 90cm  w/ ECTP 11-12 Q1. No doubt if we had tested in a slightly steeper slope the slab would have slid on it's own during the test. In this case we were at a more mild 25ish degree. After the 11th-12th tap, and merely wedging the shovel behind, causing it to slide off independently in a most disheartening way. Lowering expectations of skiing mid bowl, and enjoying some long sweeping turns. 

False summit of Devine Peak

Mike

That feeling right before making the summit.

View of Pyramid Peak.

Looking NW towards the Missions.

Our run awaits.

SW view.

SE view.

S view.

Snacks and discussion at the bottom. :)

Back out.

The Stats.

Overall, a short sweet tour, saving my legs for Monday in an attempt from Mill Creek to Lolo Peak South.. Maintaining about 1k vertical gain per hour, knocked this out bottom to top in a bit over 2 hrs; top to bottom in 30 mins.

Vertical: ~2,200ft

Distance: ~2 miles.