Melakwa Point North Ridge to Proboscis Couloir Ski Descent - May 2024

Best line of my season!!! The rarest of conditions lined up May 8, 2024, allowing me to piece together a ski descent that I’ve been envisioning for over a decade in the Snoqualmie Pass backcountry. Dropping from the summit of Melakwa Point, Andrew Eckels and I skied due north on the arm before working our way into one of the most tantalizing steep skiing features I’ve ever experienced. This couloir rarely holds snow through the central bulge and exits to a mandatory high traverse to avoid an ugly cliff band. I’ve looked at it for years and have never felt like the snow was good enough, plentiful enough, or stable enough for an attempt. Late season storms have pasted snow on the wildest places and the relatively cool weather provided a small window of perfect visibility and ideal snow for nearly the entire descent. There are few things more satisfying than finding the moments that take years to develop and require disciplined (obsessive?) study. Huge thanks to Andrew for the great partnership on this one. Now I can switch to flip flops…maybe.
About Scott Rinckenberger Photography:
Pacific Northwest based photographer / storyteller seeking Art Through Adventure.
Scott Rinckenberger specializes in photographing some of the most pristine & wild places accessible under human power. A lifelong mountain-athlete, Scott’s work is steeped in an admiration for alpine ecosystems. His distinctively reductive compositions of these wild places have been recognized with international awards & art exhibitions as well as featured with some of the world’s top brands including Apple, REI, OR and Patagonia.
Scott’s art is created in wilderness settings; his work linked to the environment. He actively supports local & global environmental efforts through his commitment to 1% For The Planet. He seeks to inspire a deep appreciation for life's inherent beauty, a commitment to explore, protect & become an integral part of the beautiful tapestry of nature.
Connect with Scott:
website: www.scottrinck.com/art
gallery: www.scottrinck.com/gallery
sustainability partnerships: www.scottrinck.com/sustainability
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[@MarkGriffith]

Excellent. Our backyard is amazing! Nice job giving people a sense of where you were in the mountain.

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Our backyard is the most amazing. Can't get enough!

[@Ooohhhhardaaahhh]

Honestly that is some of the best skiing I’ve ever seen. Outrageous stuff 😮

[@jimdaniel5769]

Loved the rip down the ridge! Thanks for adding context via the overview shots.

[@ScottRinckenberger]

My pleasure! Yeah, that ridge is a little slice of heaven (if the snow is stable!)

[@michaelpelletier7117]

As Stuart Scott used to say, Cool as the other side of the pillow! Well done.

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Ha! Love it!

[@jeanriff7954]

Super ❤

[@paulvoisin5124]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing some of the ascent. It shows the whole experience

[@rojmahaj]

Bro...so well done with longstanding patience...achieving perfection on a such a rowdy line!

[@paultrudel9791]

Nice line Scott, some serious steeps there!. I drove through the pass on 90 to The Ridge 10 days ago and it was snowing still.

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Thanks! Yeah, this seems to be the winter that never ends right now. Currently still snowing in the mountains!

[@joro8604]

Sick. Some huge pucker moments. You made it look easy.

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Nothing like good snow to make things look easy!

[@zachvarwig3169]

Wow awesome ski, love this content type with the location shown on the mountain

[@captaindoeverything]

and one man shall be King in the Land of Gnar!

[@forestdweller512]

Epic🎉

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Cheers, mate!

[@jessehensley1171]

Cool line!!

[@fwpii]

For sure the climb was more puckering than the descent!

[@ElectTimProbst]

Incredible!

[@Jo_Ro_Fulfil]

Wished you filmed this in portrait mode. You did this solo? You are on another level.

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Yeah, the dictates of social media have resulted in a less than desirable switch in video format. Alas, the widescreen format is an endangered species. I did this line with a partner named Andrew Eckles. He was just kind enough to allow me the honors on most of the route. Definitely not something I'd be comfortable doing alone.

[@InyoandWorm]

Nice.

[@tsb3093]

Reminds me of the time I skied a red run… 🤣

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Ha! Totally :)

[@PaulBeiser]

Wow. Great video! Did you ski your ascent line, or did you add a few 'variations' on the descent? Very impressive.

[@ScottRinckenberger]

Thanks, Paul! The ascent line was completely different from the descent. It climbed Melakwa Point from the W/SW just on the south side of Melakwa Pass.

[@PaulBeiser]

@@ScottRinckenberger Wow - even more impressive! Incredible, what an accomplishment. 👏