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2014 Colorado Snow Climbing Thread

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Ryan Marsters wrote:Pawnee Couloirs not really in. Ski line off the ESE face in and a pair up there today. Pics
haha you consider that "not" in? I must be willing to take crumbs. Here's me last mid-july at the base of one of the 3rd keyholes. Runout was super sketchy though. Thanks for the beta!!

Anyone seen if the crooked or coney couloirs are looking like?

Keyhole.
Devan Johnson · · RFV · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 525

Dragon tail ski? Anyone been up there recently? It's gotta be passed it's prime but just wondering. Skied it once on July 4th so it goes. Maybe elk tooth?

Ilene · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 0

Climbed Dragons Tail Tuesday, there was still lots of snow. There's also still a big cornice on the right exit. I didn't ski it, just went up and down the other side.

Ryan Marsters · · Golden, CO · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 1,431

Ha I didn't realize there is a named Pawnee Couloir, but that is in and so are the Keyholes (SE lines). More of a pleasant glissade, ski slope, dance floor, or pool table than a bonafide couly though. The other couloirs hitting between Little Pawnee and Pawnee are mostly melted out or aren't worth it at $10 a pop.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Ryan Marsters wrote:Ha I didn't realize there is a named Pawnee Couloir, but that is in and so are the Keyholes (SE lines). More of a pleasant glissade, ski slope, dance floor, or pool table than a bonafide couly though. The other couloirs hitting between Little Pawnee and Pawnee are mostly melted out or aren't worth it at $10 a pop.
Yay I believe they are only called the keyholes. Might have to take a stroll back!
Devan Johnson · · RFV · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 525

llene: Did dragon's tail have a runnel through it? Suncupped or chunky? Wondering if it would still be enjoyable as a ski descent. Thanks.

Taylor-B. · · Valdez, AK · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 3,186
Devan Johnson wrote:llene: Did dragon's tail have a runnel through it? Suncupped or chunky? Wondering if it would still be enjoyable as a ski descent. Thanks.
The DT looks done. Big runnels and unstable randklufts at the constrictions and sides of the couloir.
Devan Johnson · · RFV · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 525

What's still in this late in the season? (Front range) maybe tuning fork? Think north/ north west aspects would be better. Thanks.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Taylor-B. wrote:randklufts
Had no idea what those were called...now if I can only remember it!!
Devan Johnson · · RFV · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 525

Randklufs is a new one to me also. Don't want to ski that.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425
Devan Johnson wrote:What's still in this late in the season? (Front range) maybe tuning fork? Think north/ north west aspects would be better. Thanks.
I think we are going up to Pawnee / Brainard tomorrow. Based on the reports above and other places it looks to be worth the hike in for some nice corn turn. Nothing to make a TGR video, just 5 fun. I'll post up with pics.
Taylor-B. · · Valdez, AK · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 3,186

I found a super nice ice axe at the base of the DT the other day. I would be stoked to get this back to the owner:)

Nick Venechuk · · Golden, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 60
Devan Johnson wrote:What's still in this late in the season? (Front range) maybe tuning fork? Think north/ north west aspects would be better. Thanks.
Read on 14ers that Tuning Fork is in and skiing nice. Anyone know if the chutes on Evans are still skiable?
ixf729 Rietz · · Boulder, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 25

I would be psyched to hear if anyone gets on Dreamweaver this weekend and how it was. Thanks

GLD · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 83

Randkluft is new to me but I saw plenty this last weekend.

My partner and I climbed then skied NE couloir of Mt Ypsilon. Lots of runnels and randklufts to be seen! Skiing over the runnels was fun and watching the snow run down them extra fun.

The middle section was a class C canyon with flowing water. You definitely do not need a technical tool or screws, bring a mountaineering ax. The only pro we placed was a #1 camalot though you could skip that by staying in the stream. I would still bring a set of nuts. We were able to ski (with 2x taking the skis off, downclimbs in the canyon and to cross the stream by upper Fay lake) to just below middle Fay lake.

I took pictures of the climb as well as the top of the Y couloir (right fork) and Y face (left fork). Both still have HUGE cornices over them. Will upload photos later.

GLD · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 83

Oh yeah, snow conditions on the NE face were good for climbing, a little too much postholing up near the top but still good. We summitted around 1PM (it was a very long day).

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Still lots of snow in the IPW. Below is Pawnee on 6/28/ Most of the chutes and faces are still in, third keyhole being the best. Obviously can't ski from the summit. Lots of sastrugi everywhere, icy at the top and softer lower. No nighttime freezes so the snow was super soft for kicking. Trail back in was a cross between, clear, running water and deep but packed snow. Weather was fall conditions with gale force winds, snow / grauple and pretty chilly.

Pawnee, 6/28/14.

GLD · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 83

First a reminder that the ypsilon trail bridge was knocked out by the flood. Be prepared to cross on the logs 20m downstream and have good balance or poles or be prepared to wade through some swift water.
Photo of blitzen couloir

A look at Blitzen Couloir.
Photo of the melted out and flowing middle section of ne couloir
Late June melted out NE couloir of Ypsilon.
Photo of my friend near the top. Note the runnels
Mark near the top third of NE couloir.
Pic of cornice protecting y couloir (right fork)
Cornice over Y-Couloir.
Pic of cornice over y face (left fork)
Y face from just below summit.
Pic of skier at bottom of ne couloir
Mark at the bottom of the NE couloir.

Tim Zander · · Breckenridge, CO · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 30

Dang, Cumbre really has melted out. Over memorial day we skied it top to bottom

Mike Morin · · Glen, NH · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 1,355

Anyone know what conditions are like in Pacific Peak's Northeast Couloir? Melted at the top?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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