Matterhorn Peak East Coluoir 051714 - Trip report

Started early at 545, clear trail until after horse creek trail split off, encountered hard snow, and used crampons till about 10 am, then boots were fine. Snow in the cirque and chute was quite soft lost of postholing, by 12 and was able to kick easy steps up the coluoir. Some exposed talus and scree in chute, but a snow line all the way from top to bottom. Easy class 2-3 to summit from there. Descended SW (snow free) to Horse Creek pass where there was quite a bit of snow still. All told 13 hours car to car.

I'm headed up this weekend and glad to see there is still plenty of snow up there. By chance did you notice if there was much snow around the tarn lake once you enter the Matterhorn Peak drainage just over the ridge from Horse Canyon?

Location:
Lat: 38.271944°N Lon: 119.289167°W Elev: 6650ft.
or
forecast.weather.gov/MapCli…

Thanks,
Aaron

Skiiable, up & down?

The right side couloir "ski dreams" seemed much more skiable. Also the upper area by Horse Creek pass looked very skiable. It is a low snow year and it is melting out quick up there. I would say not ideal "ski mountaineering" conditions up there, but if you want to hike in with skis you might have some fun.

-Brian