Silver Couloir  Steep Snow

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Type:  Snow, Alpine, 3000 feet FA:  Unknown Season:  Spring Submitted By:  Kirk Miller on Dec 30, 2009 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (4) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

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Description 

One of Colorado's finest, this demanding ski descent provides a very worthy day. From the broad snowfield North of the summit the route drops, drops, then drops again into a steep 50' wide slot through the cliffs that finally spits you out near a ditch with a faint trail on the right. To return to your car follow the ditch trail East but keep a sharp eye out for a short climb, above the ditch on the right, to reach the established trail. Continue East around Buffalo on a well established trail to return to the trailhead.

Location 

Head North from the summit of Buffalo and into the steep funnel that drops you into the couloir.

Protection 

This is best achieved after the snow consolidates in the Spring. Climb early while the snow is frozen and time your descent to catch the corn.
Don't even think about it if things don't freeze up solid overnight before you go. Wet slab avalanches are about as destructive as boxcars tumbling down the couloir!