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Ski Traverse of North and Middle Forks of Campbell Creek
Alan Julliard, V.P., Scree 2/90
Six to eight inches of new snow greeted Deanna Bell, Paul Berryhill and myself as we drove up to the Prospect Heights parking lot on the morning of December 23. There we were joined by Marcia Bandy and Joel Babb. Surprisingly, there was less than an inch of new snow at the parking lot, as the clouds were thick over the Anchorage basin but scattered up higher. We left at about 8:30 a.m. with headlamps on. the first objective was the saddle between Wolverine Peak and Near Point. This was accomplished with the use of skins by all except, of course, the leader (cheapskate that he is), who opted to apply generous amounts of wax, grunts and suffering while bringing up the rear.
From the saddle, we continued to traverse into the North Fork of Campbell Creek. The terrain here consisted of tundra swept free of snow by the winds and a few gullies into which all the snow was packed. Paul was in the lead and just starting to cross the second gully when the entire slope broke out from under him.. as looking at the ground under my skis when Deanna excitedly started yelling, "Snow! Paul!", searching for the right word but never getting it. "Avalanche!!"
I had read enough books on the subject and knew what I was supposed to do, which is simply nothing, except keep Paul lined up with various landmarks in case he went under, but it was very hard to watch your friend of many years be swept away while you stood helplessly by. To Paul's credit, he is very good at skiing tough conditions and at keeping a cool head, it was that, although he got tossed around a bit, he managed to stay on top of it for the whole ride. When it stopped, we all hurried down the slope to check him out. He was not only unhurt but had lost no equipment. The slide itself was approximately 100-200 yards long 100 feet wide with a fracture depth of about 12-18 inches.
Joel had been immediately behind Paul and had been able to step back out of the way as the slope above Paul's line went racing past. This was a wind slab avalanche with the largest blocks about the size of a toilet (pardon the comparison). We were all wearing avalanche beacons plus carrying shovels and probes. Still we were happy not to use them. Though shaken, all were in favor of continuing.
We headed up the North Fork valley into a constant headwind which sent waves of spindrift across our faces. All agreed that Antarctica must be like this all the time, only much colder. With our mild temperature (in the 20's) it was just bearable and there was much rejoicing when we reached the foot of the pass between the North and Middle Forks for here the wind died down and what little remained was at our backs. We were still somewhat wary from the avalanche, but snow conditions at the pass were very different and stable. The climb over the pass was without incident.
I would like to add that the summer visitor to this pass will be surprised to see a large amount of blue ice on the lower flanks of Williwaw Peak's north side. The USGS map indicates this to be a rock glacier but there is much more ice than rock and I personally believe this to be a small glacier. If it is, it is the closest one to Anchorage, as the raven flies. In late summer, the adventurous ice climber will also find several steep gullies that bear more investigation.
We postholed down the first third of the pass, it being too steep to ski, but then were able to cut loose the rest of the way down to Williwaw Lakes, varying such maneuvers as graceful turns and ostrich-like face-plops. Conditions were mild and pleasant as we left the high
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