WEST HOURGLASS COULOIR NEZ PERCE

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Mike Calla

West Hourglass Couloir

 

This was my third day in a row skiing the Tetons with Bernie and we were gettin’ it good for mid April. We skied a pow run down Glory, then the first ones up Taylor the next day, and there I was the following morning picking Bernie up at 4 a.m. We had to take advantage of the prime conditions tired legs or not. We pulled into the Taggart Lake lot and were the first car, perfect. Hard to believe after a foot  or so new, then blue skies. The only other time I skied the Hourglass was years ago in early July with Bernie. I do remember seeing Coombs in the lot and he was climbing Irenes Arete, he was pumped that we were still skiing. We made our way up the ridiculous “multi use trail” that has become of the Garnet Canyon skin track, thanks to all you snowshoeing snowboarders.

Bernie arrives in the Meadows below the Middle Teton

 

We began our steady ascent of the couloir by skinning the lower apron, and began booting at the junction of the West and East Hourglass. The booting was pretty good with a foot on top of a firm base. You really get a feel for the snow quality and safety by booting up what you ski. There were a couple spots with 2 foot wind loaded  surface slabs that were concerning me.

Bernie skins below the West Hourglass

We  made our way switching lead booting duty’s and were at the top in no time.

Bernie takes the lead in the West Hourglass

 

Bernie feeling small deep in the West Hourglass

 

Bernie nears the top of the West Hourglass

 

We transitioned to ski mode and were ready to reap the rewards. There were a few touchy wind slabs to contend with on the way down.

Bernie skis the West Hourglass

Powder in the West Hourglass

 

Steep skiing in the West Hourglass

The couloir skied well with a few spots of sastrugi, but mostly just great Teton powder. The apron below the couloir skied really well, and we layed down some signature tracks.

Bernie lays down some tracks below the West Hourglass

Bernie on the apron

 

Tired legs

 

Powder in the park

Bernie nears the meadows

We skied out of the meadows, and that is when my legs began to feel the last 3 days. The snow was pretty sloppy down low due to the warming and it was difficult to ski. We got back to the lot and were both real ready to take a few days off. Little did I know I only had one day rest, then an overnight trip up Leigh Canyon which turned out to be a great recon mission. I’m heading back this weekend.

Bernie starts his rest day ASAP

Posted in Skiing, West Hourglass Nez Perce | 5 Comments

FIRST DAY BACK…TETON PASS

Posted on April 17, 2010 by Mike Calla

Arrived back to the Tetons early this week and was greeted to about a foot and half of new snow up high. We skied a lap on the SE ridge of Glory on Wednesday that felt like winter, snowing and blowing. Here’s the proof.

Bernie arrives at the top of Glory

Like I never left

Bernie the friendly ghost

Teton Pass welcome mat

Bernie gets some mid April pow

Bernie on Teton Pass

Thursday was supposed to go blue in the morning and warm up quick. We had to get a fairly early start. We decided to go up Taylor Mt first thing in the morning. We drove over the pass at 7:45, and the glory lot was full, what a joke. We continued down to Coal Creek parking area and there was one car there, what a joke. We started skinning up the SE ridge, and I decided to set the whole skin track, I was feeling good.

Bernie nears the top of Taylor

The wind was blowing and it was pretty cold up top. We were eyeing the east face, but there was significant loading from the previous storm.

East face of Taylor

We decided on the south face, which is a great 2800 vertical descent. I dropped first and was greeted to 2000 vert of creamy powder all alone down the south face. Our group reunited and we continued back to the car down the James Bond track out of Coal Creek. The south face is such a great run, alot of finely spaced trees down a consistent fall line with untouched pow, great first two days back.

Bernie cruises Taylor

Glad to be skiing Taylor again

Posted in Skiing, Teton Pass | 1 Comment

MT WHITNEY MOUNTAINEERS ROUTE SOLO SKI DESCENT

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Mike Calla

Mt Whitney from the Whitney Portal Rd

Mt Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 at 14,497. It is a very popular climb because of this. There is also a trail to the top coming from the south that is an easy walk up. The Mountaineers route is a little more challenging. There is a steep approach trail, some moderate snow climbing, and some easy 4th class terrain above some exposure. The day started on the Whitney Portal Rd about a mile and half from the summer trail head. There was a descent size wet slide that covered the road preventing any futher travel.

The desert start to climb Mt Whitney

I started with a little skinning on the snow covered road until it turned south facing and was dry for a little walking past some good size rock fall.

Probably the most dangerous part of the climb

I made my way to the summer trail head and veered of into the north fork of lone pine creek to access the east face of Whitney and the Mountaineers Route.

Not a typo 6100 vertical in 3.4 miles

This was where the skinning became steep and difficult. There had been a lot of climbers up the trail over the weekend and it was a slick post holed mess of a snowshoe track, not the most ideal conditions for skinning. I gritted it out on the “skin track” and made it up into the lower boyscout lake basin to my camp for the night.

Lower Boy Scout Lake camp

I got to camp pretty early in the day and had some nice chill time in the sun and even a little nap. I just wanted to rest for the big day I had ahead of me. I cooked some dinner, and chatted with a few skiers coming off the route, it didn’t sound like ideal conditions.

Nice views of the objective from camp

It was a pretty cold night for California, and was glad I had my -20 deg bag. Pretty cold morning and I was a little slow moving until the sun hit my body, then left camp for the summit at 9 a.m, not exactly an alpine start. No big deal, I had the whole day to climb, ski down,  pack up camp, and drive back to Mammoth Lakes.

Skinning below the Keeler Needles on Mt Whitney

It was pretty good skinning conditions up from Lower Boy Scout Lake, to Upper, then on to Iceberg Lake below the Mountaineers Gully at 12,300. Now only a few thousand vertical to climb in the couloir, then the steep upper couloir to the summit plateau.

Nearing the top of the Mountaineers Gully

The snow stopped in the gully a hundred yards from the top, and I left my skis here to start the descent, and continued on to the summit. From the top of the gully there is a notch which gives you access to the final steep couloir to the summit.

The steep upper couloir before the summit.

This was the section I was concerned about. Apparently it can get pretty icy, with some 4th class rock mixed in, and a 2000 foot slide for life down the north face to discourage falling. Lucky for me it was mostly just steep snow with one little class 4 rock step. I continued up the upper couloir, and was on the summit plateau.

On top of the upper couloir

A 10 minute walk along the football field sized plateau, and I arrived at the true summit.

Summit

Keweah group of mountains

Roof of the lower 48

Views from the plateau

Now probably the crux of the climb, the down-climbing of the upper couloir. It was pretty steep and hard snow, and fall would be tragic.

Looking down the upper couloir

I arrived at my stashed skis, and started the descent. Some of the worst skiing conditions I have ever had. It was a frozen coral reef-like couloir, I just slid down the whole thing making probably 2 turns in 1500 vert. Just awful.

The coral reef of the Mountaineers gully

I “skied” the Mountaineers Gully, and then the skiing got good. It was a few thousand vertical of pretty good corn skiing all the way to my camp at Lower Boy Scout Lake. From there I packed up camp, and headed down the dreaded North Fork of Lone Pine Creek.

North Fork of Lone Pine Creek

I made it out unscathed, down to where the snow ran out, and put the skis on the pack for a mile or so of trail walking.

A little chill time in the forest

The trail out

This was a great solo adventure. It was really rewarding to climb, and then ski down such a prevelant mountain like Whitney in winter conditions. Sometimes it’s not all about the down.

Satisfaction

Posted in Mountaineers Route Mt Whitney, Skiing | 15 Comments

MT WHITNEY SOLO…MORE TO COME

Posted on March 25, 2010 by Mike Calla

Mt Whitney

 

Mt Whitney summit

Posted in Skiing | 3 Comments

PEAK 10,333

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Mike Calla

This was the first tour I did when arriving in Jackson for “spring break”. I was feeling like exploring a new area, and getting away from the “crowded” Teton back country. Sometimes the back country skiers in the Tetons are crammed into a few canyons, and can feel a little crowded. Unlike the high sierra back country, which is a total ghost town. On the other hand,  as I write this from the California I can’t wait to get back to the Tetons, they have a powerful draw on me.

A moon lit crossing of Jackson Lake

The day started early with a long drive to Colter Bay,  a 3 mile crossing of Jackson Lake, then a 4000 ft climb up the east face of 10,333 to think about. The crossing of the lake was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. It was dark, but a giant full moon guided us across the lake with light fog and  haziness near the lake surface that was visually wild. I wish I could have captured it on camera, but the air around us was filled with ice particulates that distorted the pictures.

Moon rise over 10,686

We cruised across the lake in hour and half or so and were greeted to a great sunrise over the fog on Jackson Lake.

Sunrise from the west side of Jackson Lake

Peak 10,333 looked real interesting with a varied east face similar to the Wimpys Albright area, but without the crowds. Not many people ski out here. We started the 4000 ft climb up the east face in the sunshine with great views of the north side of Mt Moran.

North side of Moran

Phil and I skinning up 10,333

As we got higher the views really opened up, with great views of the Waterfalls canyon to the south, and the upper bowls of the Ranger and Doane peak area.

Ranger peak

Doane peak

Jon and Phil nearing the summit of 10,333

Northern park views

Relaxing on the summit airing the dogs out

The snow seemed a little punchy on the east facing aspects, but north facing was powder. We worked our way down the upper east bowl, which skied good, kind of corn powder. We then worked the north facing stuff on the right side down to some great corn skiing  to the lake.

Jon in the upper bowl

Phil skis the upper bowl

Dropping off the summit of 10,333

Carving the lower gully

Cruising the lower trees of 10,333

Jon finds some nice snow on the lower east face

Jon gets some north facing love

Some more for Jon

What a great ski in a deserted area of Teton Park. We skied down to the lake and found a stream for a water break.

A much needed break

Jon lake cruising

Jon and Phil on the way back from 10,333 in the background

Where are those beers?

Found em

Really great day in the wilderness of northern Teton Park. Can’t wait to be back.

Posted in Peak 10,686, Skiing | 8 Comments

PEAK 10,333…MORE TO COME

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Mike Calla

 

Crossing Jackson Lake with 10,333 in the background

Just received Jon’s pictures so a full trip report will be up soon. Stay tuned.

Moon rise on the approach across Jackson Lake

Posted in Skiing | 6 Comments

APOCALYPSE COULOIR

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Mike Calla

Bottom of the Apocalypse Couloir

 Well, just got back from a week in Jackson, and had a great time. Skied a few lines I haven’t skied before, and also took another stab at the Apocalypse Couloir. Phil, Jim Larue and I skied it a few years ago in a heavy winter from the top. It appears that we were lucky to not get rained on with debris and ice chunks as we did this time.

Apocalypse from death canyon

This time Phil was joining me for another go around, and Jon Lewis for his first time in this intimidating couloir. We got a pretty early start, as we just got some new snow, and the temperatures were not that cold. It was also supposed to be a cloudy day with snow showers, which would have made the climb a little safer. It turned out to be totally bluebird, and warming up fast.

Heading up the couloir

 We all new the hazard going into the day, and it was a process of evaluating the deteriorating conditions. I figured to keep going until something stopped us. It was getting warm, but not much was coming down the couloir yet. Okay, keep going.

Jon, Phil and I gearing up at the base

This was a different ski day because we had climbing gear with us, we didn’t know what to expect in the crux. We had a rope , crampons, ice tools, harnesses, and ice screws. The crux can vary from a ski through, as we found a few years ago, to a few 65 deg ice bulges, as we found this day.

The ski through crux in a heavy snow year

Impressive ice in the couloir

Jon climbs the lower part of the couloir

Getting deeper into the Apocalypse

Nearing the ice bulge crux

Jon experiments with flash photography

As we neared the crux, there wasn’t much activity of falling debris yet, so we decided to  move quickly, and solo through.

Jon at the base of the crux

 Jon was first, I was second, and Phil third. As Jon neared the top of the ice bulge things started to change, there was some sluff coming off the south facing wall, and funneling through the narrows. Jon was near the top when he got hit with a wave of loose sluff, and I was in the middle, I drove my tools into the ice bulge and prepared for the worst. Phil was lucky, and below the ice bulge. The sluff was not as bad as it could of been, but I believed it was a sign of things to come, I made the call to get out of there.

Jon in the middle of the crux, where I was when the sluff came.

Jon and I down climbed the ice bulge, and retreated to relative safety under some overhanging ice. We put some screws into the ice and anchored in to protect us from more sluff to come.

Anchored in

Phil is having fun, Jon wants out

We anchored in and transitioned to ski mode which took a little bit. I rushed to get ready, and was first to ski.

Ready to go

Lets get out of here

Good powder in the Apocalypse

I skied first, and did not stop until I hit death canyon creek, in fear of more sluff coming down. Phil and Jon were not so lucky, and were hit with ice chunks and debris before they skied. I think it was a good call to get out of there.

Phil after getting white washed with debris

I’m glad we made the call to get out the Apocalypse. Next time we need colder temperatures to make the couloir safe to ski. There is just way too much danger above you releasing in warm temperatures.

Posted in Apocolypse Couloir Prospectors Peak, Skiing | 15 Comments

DEATH ON THE SOUTH TETON

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Mike Calla

Scary stuff,  I’m going there in a week. Freaks me out a little, I’ll definitely pull back the reins a  bit. That face is so exposed, the meat underneath you is huge. A 6 inch fracture let alone a 2 foot one could send you over those cliffs. I will be skiing very close to islands of safety next week.

http://www.jhunderground.com/2010/02/21/avalanche-on-south-teton-kills-skier/

Posted in Skiing | 10 Comments

SADDLE PEAK SLIDE

Posted on February 20, 2010 by Mike Calla

Found this amazing powder cloud of the saddle peak slide just outside the Bridger Bowl ski area boundary. I skied at Bridger Bowl for years, and have skied the saddle many times, pretty scary. There are some big slide paths in the Bridgers, with an always questionable snowpack, especially this year. Be careful boys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZovxGy8NxM&feature=player_embedded

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

SE COULOIR SOUTH TETON

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Mike Calla

The SE Couloir in the morning alpenglow

This trip report is from a few years ago with Jon Lewis and Jim Larue as my partners for the day.  I’ve been checking out the Tetons book lately in preparation for my week long trip, like I don’t have it memorized already. I’m excited about the Tetons again! The Se couloir is one of the classic steep descents of the Teton range, Turiano has it at 60 deg plus in his book. I don’t think it was quite that steep for us in the large winter we skied it in. It is se facing, so we got an early start.

Well into Garnet Canyon on the approach

It wasn’t looking that great weather wise as we climbed higher, there were dark grey clouds with cold and windy conditions.

Grey days in Garnet Canyon

Heading up the South Fork of Garnet Canyon

I remember the weather started to get worse, and we decided to wait it out amongst the boulders. It was in and out clouds with wind and snow mixed in, what a day to ski a steep couloir. We waited until we shivered, then decided to go higher towards the South Teton.

Skinning below the Elingwood Couloir on the Middle Teton

As we climbed higher the weather started to improve and the sun was shining for brief moments.

Jon on the saddle between the South and Middle Tetons

Jon climbs the South Teton

Jim and I nearing the summit ridge

We arrived at the summit and peered down the se couloir, it was steep, and a little loaded with snow at the top. We decided to ski in from the skiers right side and see how it felt.

Looking into the se couloir

Jim about to enter the couloir

Jon works his way down from the summit

Working my way towards the entrance

A little move to get into the se couloir

Deep in the se couloir

Heading to the narrows

Some nice powder on the apron

The couloir skied pretty well, kind of crusty powder, then it got better lower down.

Powder down from the col

Big mountain teton powder

Happy to ski powder

Jon gets some too

Jon and Jim nearing the the north fork of Avalanche Canyon

This was a great descent to bag in really fat conditions. It takes a fair bit of snow to really fill in the narrows section. If not filled in, the narrows become an icy off-width down climb or even short rappel. Thanks to Jon for most of the skiing photos, I was skiing with a canteen sized camera that only worked if the stars were aligned right. I’ll be there in a week boys, be ready!

Posted in Skiing, South East Couloir South Teton | 2 Comments