Andy Tuthill leading the 2nd pitch (5.10+) of the VMC Direct Direct on Cannon Cliff in Franconia Notch, New Hampshire.

Photo Details: Panasonic Lumix LX3, 1/400s @ f/4 and ISO 200.

You probably won’t find this technique in a basic rock climbing book. Erik Eisele stashing his helmet to facilitate upward progress in The Beast (5.11+) chimney on Cathedral Ledge in New Hampshire. The second photo gives a better perspective of the route.

Photo Details: Canon 5D w/ EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM lens at 35mm, 1/200s at f/4 and ISO 1000.

Photo Details: Canon 5D w/ EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM lens at 16mm, 1/400s at f/4 and ISO 1000.

This route drops directly off the summit of Mount Webster and I’ve heard it called the Mountaineer’s Route. I’ve always looked up when driving through Crawford Notch and wondered if it would ever get enough snow to ski. A big snow storm with east winds answered that question.

View on 03/02/2010 of Mountaineer’s Route and Mount Webster in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire.

Photo Details: Canon 5D and EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens @ 155mm, 1/1600s @ f/5.6 and ISO 100.

Jim Surette and Doug Madara skinning to the top of Mount Webster in Crawford Notch for a ski descent of the Mountaineer’s Route.

Photo Details: Canon 5D w/ 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM lens @ 16mm, 1/1600s @ f/5.6 and ISO 320 w/ +0.33 exposure compensation.

Jim Surette skiing the Mountaineer’s Route on Mount Webster in Crawford Notch. Mount Willey in the background.

Photo Details: Canon 5D w/ 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM lens @ 16mm, 1/1000s @ f/5.6 and ISO 320 w/ +0.67 exposure compensation.

Jim Surette and I were able to ski the entire route without rappelling (had to ski around one ice bulge) due to recent storms (w/ east winds) that loaded the gully with deep snow.

Photo Details: Canon 5D w/ EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM @ 16mm, 1/320s @ f/5.6 and ISO 200 w/ +0.67 exposure compensation.

Photo Details: Canon 5D w/ EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM lens @ 16mm, 1/1250s @ f/8 and ISO 100.

Erik Nelson skiing a variation at the top of Landslide Gully on Mount Webster in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire.

Photo Details: Canon 5D w/ EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM lens @ 35mm, 1/640s @ f/8 and ISO 100 w/ -0.33 exposure compensation.