Platinum Peak: SW Face Ascent

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

This seems to be one of the most direct and easy ways to the top of Platinum Peak from the bottom of Bullion Basin.

You split off the Bullion Basin Ascent trail in a patch of thick trees, using them as cover to climb safely through a 200 foot rollover of ~35 degrees. After cresting this rollover, the angle eases to ~25-30 degrees and you continue all the way to the top to Platinum Peak through a wide flat face covered in nicely gladed burnt trees. We skinned and skied this on a day with Considerable avalanche hazard and felt OK about it, your comfort level may vary.

From the top, you have great access to Cement Basin on the backside of the ridge, other lines further along the ridge, but the simplest and one of the better descents is to ski down right along your uptrack. You can easily lap this in ~800 foot laps.