Last week Chad Peele and I made the likely first descent of a steep, narrow couloir in the Corbett Creek Cirque. At the headwaters of the Corbett Creek drainage, this rugged cirque is bounded by steep and complex terrain on east side of Corbett Peak. In the photo above, we skied the obvious couloir coming off a small rock peak on the left end of the ridge. While only four miles from Ouray, the approach covers 5000' vertical feet and requires navigation of some steep and convoluted terrain. Despite the effort, it was easily worth the incredible 2000' chute we skied. With knee deep, dry powder and excellent stability, the 40+ degree upper chute was in decidedly perfect condition. Making jump turns through the skinny couloir, with deep powder underfoot and bordered by rock towers and minarets on all sides, was a stunning skiing experience.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Corbett Creek Cirque, First Ski Descent
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Ice park conditions
The park is in great spring conditions. There is plenty of soft stuff in the sun to climb, or look for the more northerly aspects where there is lots of colder plastic ice still around.
I haven't been up to the skylight in a while, but I would guess that it and choppo's have melted out at the tops. Maybe the Ribbon will come in?
Wear Sunscreen!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Eureka!
Climbed the Stairway today. Primo conditions all the way. Easy approach, perfect sticky blue ice, and a fine glissade down. Its finally in as it should be. The avalanche path below is quite impressive. It banks up the other side of the canyon with numerous large trees broken off.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
March 9 conditions
Beautiful day in the San Juans. Ice and ski conditions continue to be excellent.
The Skylight climbs are all super fat. The top-outs on Skylight and Choppo's are very hollow, be careful as temps warm up. The bottom third of Killer Pillar has fallen away, but the remainder is excellent climbing and the corner below is fun drytooling, it will soon come down in one dramatic crash so watch your belay and get it while you can. There are a number of thin short mixed lines that are rarely formed up along the road as well. Maybe this next winter blast will allow for some ascents.
Some guys went and checked out Bridalveil today, and sent me the following shots. Looked like it hadn't been done in a spell and they found fresh sticky ice with big hollow mushrooms on top. They climbed the right side, there were 3 significant roofs that had to be negotiated. Full Bridalveil Style, never very hard but definitely engaging. Cheers!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Powder.
The skiing on Red Mountain Pass continues to be incredible. We did a short tour up Carbon and down the popular Oh Boy Couloir. Fresh tracks and soft snow, very nice. We are all looking forward to the excellent spring ski season to come, although the ice climbing is still great.
Get out and enjoy! Clint
Monday, March 3, 2008
Red Mtn. Pass Ski Conditions
Hello Skiers,
Monday, February 25, 2008
Ice Park conditions
Despite a few days of warm weather the Ice Park was in great shape today. A few inches of fresh snow and blue skies today made for an idyllic day. Even better is how quiet it is during the week these days - no competition for routes and whole sections to yourself. Ahhhh... Not to mention the easy sticks...