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Master Blaster

WI4 M4, Trad, Mixed, Ice, Alpine, 1500 ft (455 m), 10 pitches,  Avg: 4 from 3 votes
FA: Scott Coldiron, Matt Cornell - 2018
Montana > Northwest Region > Kalispell Area > Cabinet Mtn Wil… > Granite Lake Ar… > Thunderdome

Description

This route climbs Blaster (5 pitches, WI4), and then continues up through the rock to the top of the Thunderdome. Start on the far right side of the wide gully and climb 35 meters of steep blue ice (WI4). You could avoid the steep line by climbing up the center or left side of the gully, but the ice quality isn’t as good.

From the top of the steep ice, cruise up 2 pitches of easy WI2 terrain. Aim for the steep ice pouring in from the left side. Pitch 4 starts up this steep step, then continues up easy ice to a snow slope above.

The final pitch of Blaster climbs more WI4 to the top of the ice at the base of the obvious chimney above. Next follow the WI4 runnel up the obvious slot. You will be at a vertical rock section with a chimney on the left and a corner on the right. Climb engaging terrain up the corner.

From the top, follow the obvious ice and snow gully for 3-4 pitches which takes a plumb line to the top of the Thunderdome.

Location

From the lake, the obvious blue ice halfway up Thunderdome is Master Blaster, followed by the huge corner system above. The route starts a short walk from the south end of the lake.

Protection

Screws, 1 set cams to #2 BD, 1 set of nuts, 4 KBs, 3 LAs, 1 baby angle, and 2 BD peckers.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Looking across at Master Blaster from Three Tiers.
[Hide Photo] Looking across at Master Blaster from Three Tiers.
Master Blaster takes the obvious chimney/corner system that splits the buttress.
[Hide Photo] Master Blaster takes the obvious chimney/corner system that splits the buttress.
snowed up crux. chimney on left (unclimbed) and regular corner on the right. fixed pecker in the middle offwidth section.
[Hide Photo] snowed up crux. chimney on left (unclimbed) and regular corner on the right. fixed pecker in the middle offwidth section.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

T T
phx
  WI4 M4-5
[Hide Comment] WI4 runnel and the mixed corner got completely washed @11am when the sun hit the top of the dome (mar16). probably best to wait out the hour or so that the dome gets sun. Mar 18, 2024