Upon arriving at the view point we realised our route of choice was snowed in on the runout slabby bit. After some contemplation and a quick match of RockPaperScissors Dave descended the fix line and crossed the highly exposed gulley and made his way the the metal platform at the base of the 11c "sport" route.

The forecasters were predicting that the Thunderbirds would flap their wings afternoon but we remained blissfully ignorant as Dave started up the crux pitch under partially blue skies right off the ledge. Although this pitch was above our abilities, Henkel has always been boulder then the Cacodemon, and this showed more then ever as he fearlessly worked his way up a pitch a full number grade above his comfort zone. During the time it took Dave to reach the anchors it began to snow and next thing ya know it was my turn to climb...



As struggled and grunted my way up this magnificently burly pitch on a beautiful gendarme I began to feel uneasy, timid and uncomfortable, the snow flakes were getting bigger even though the rock remained dry, the storm was certainly rolling in..

When I reached the anchors our support team of Mikey Cowps, Kyle Korrol and Mr. P.Y. Boivin shouted across to us that they were experiencing high amounts of static electricity, P.Y. hair was standing at attention. Although I'm not very knowledgeable of the conductivity of rock I felt we were in a dangerous position, and as I usually do when I feel uncomfortable suggested our best option being a retreat, Dave concurred and we got the f*#k out of there.

And that ladies and gentleman is what I remember of our 1st attempt of the Showcase Spire on Blackcomb Mtn. I look forward to returning, summiting and creating the tyrolean traverse in the near future.

-All photos copywrite Dave Henkel-