In the Spring of 2014, Damien, Thibaut, Rémi and François went to ski the steep couloirs of Baffin Island. This film shows the adventure, the journey, skiing, discovery, all north of the 70° parallel. Another way to travel, with skis on their feet.
Trip reports on Skitour.fr in reverse order (all links in French)
- Polar Star Couloir 5.2 E3 - 50° at the exit (Grid 70.5631, -71.3114).
The couloir is obvious from the slopes of Beluga Spire (which is well known to base jumpers). It is fairly wide and steepens as you climb. Ice present near the summit.
- No name couloir 5.1 E2, 40° at entrance with a step of 45° (Grid: 70.5867, -71.4732).
From the sea ice follow the left branch which is much longer than the right which is a dead end on the glacier. The slope steepens with a short section at 45°. The end of the couloir (without climbing) is at 800m.
- Broken Dreams Couloir 4.3 E3 (Grid: 70.5847, -71.4929).
The couloir can be found at the end of the peninsual between Sam Ford and Walker Arm. There is a step at 2/3rds distance in the couloir. After the step with mixed climbing the couloir leads to a col with a view on Walker Arm. You will need a rope to descend the step but should find belays on the left and right of the couloir.
- Couloir Cantal 5.1 E2, slope 40° (Grid: 70.8429, -71.9458).
Wide couloir at the base but it narrows as you climb. Never too steep it exits onto the plateau of Sillem Island.
- Mel Gibbs Fjord Couloir 5.2 E3 (Grid: 70.8386, -71.9563)
From the sea ice looks for a wide couloir to the left of an enormous rock pyramid. The couloir is wide at first but it narrows and turns to the right. At 950m you need to ice axes to climb a step. The top section is enclosed and the couloir is a dead end. 20 meter rope for the step.
- Flying Rabbit Couloir 4.3 E2 (Grid: 70.8494, -72.2291). First section is over a debris field at the edge of the sea ice. The couloir exits onto a pretty lake clearly visible in maps and aerial photographs.
- Fleeing Crab Couloir (Couloir de Crabe Fuyant) - 5.2 E2 (Grid: 70.9964, -72.1506), possible first descent. Attack the couloir directly from the sea ice. After a very narrow gap take a left fork, then right, then left, then right again! The couloir exits onto the plateau. Nearby there is a survey marker.
- Couloir Dead Lemming - 5.1 E3, 40 to 45° in the upper 2/3rds (Grid: 71.0724, -71.8834).
Very esthetic couloir which winds its way from the foot of an enormous cliff face. After the first third take the left fork then climb a mixed section and continue to the right below cliffs. The couloir exits onto a col with a view of Gibbs Fjord. 20 meter rope to descend the step.
- Brigitte Couloir - 4.2 E2, 40° over 800m (Grid: 71.1033, -71.9697).
Climb the couloir from the sea ice. The couloir splits in two near the top. Both branches exit onto the plateau.
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