Central Couloir

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Central is the obvious north-facing trophy line that starts just lookers' right of Cody Peak summit. You'd have be pretty jaded to not be feeling the pump as you hike upward to take on this test-piece.

Finding it is easy. Just a few vertical feet beneath the summit of Cody Peak, look left for an entrance gap just right of a (probably) hulking cornice. Down climb a couple of steps to a sheltered ledge. This is your drop zone should you decide to go for it.

Make a few (hopefully) soft turns through the top snowfield. All too soon, you'll find yourself getting sucked into the line's first crux - a 50-degree+ pinch that may well be firm, icy and nearly tip to tail rock. Jump turns through here would be impressive!

Make a fairly clutch right turn out of the choke and into the lower snowfield. Find a spot to tuck in next to the right wall and wait for your partner.

The exit crux now awaits. At the end of huge seasons, Central can be nearly a ski through. But you shouldn't expect this - in lower years or earlier in the season, the exit may well be guarded by a 30'+ cliff. This obstacle may be devious as it is benchy, possibly containing a small under-vertical ice bulge that threatens to buck you straight over the handle bars.

Stomp or splat, all that remains is to make the move. In the blink of an eye, you'll end up on Central's exit apron, hopefully on your feet, at high speed, with both fists pumping maniacally heavenwards.