jordan Posted June 24, 2011 Report Posted June 24, 2011 So, even though no one reads PASR this time of year, I thought I would post some pics for the few stragglers left around here. Yesterday, my buddy Jeff and I set out to ski the Vader Couloir on South Arapahoe Peak. This is a line to the lookers left of Skywalker Couloir which I skied last week, and posted some pics of in the random ski stoke thread. It is a breath of fresh air to get out of the Loveland Pass area that I am so familiar with at this point, and into some new territory (the Indian Peaks Wilderness). The vader couloir is not an easy line, and there is some major route finding involved. Some appealing looking paths will lead you to get cliffed out. Our only safe option was to boot up the thing to ensure us a safe route down. Here is a picture of the line taken in May 2005 by a friend of ours from a nearby mountain. I had to use his pic because we never got a good view of the line. We left the trailhead at 6:00 thinking it would be a 4 hour approach, or 5 tops. Boy were we wrong! 2 days earlier it had snowed about 6". That 6" had insulated the snow below it, keeping it from freezing solid. After it was too steep to skin, we were treated to punchy snow all the way to the summit. Sometimes, we would sink all the way up to our knees after taking a step. Needless to say, It was slow going. We topped out at around 12:00, a mere 6 hours after we left the car. jeff nearing the top of the couloir: We spent very little time at the top of the couloir, and didn't even have time to gain the true summit of South Arapaho. The sun heats rock quickly in the mornings. Because there is so much rock on this line, we needed to get down quick to avoid wet slide activity of the lower layers. We already knew that the top layer of new snow would be sloughing on the way down. Jeff skiing down near the top: We were skiing very cautiously from safe zone to safe zone. The top layer was sloughing as expected. Every couple of turns, we had to stop and wait for the slough to pass. Roller balls were forming, some of which were about the size of a washing machine. This snow was saturated an heavy. It would have been very bad news to get caught up, as the slough would send us over very large cliffs. The moving snow was a little beyond my comfort level, but we were able to manage our slough and we both avoided getting caught up in it. Another skiing shot of Jeff on the first half of the line: In the middle of the line, there was a small section that was melted out that we had to downclimb. Jeff Making his way to the apron: Home Free: the route: I needed a nice short day today because I was so worn out from yesterday. My friend Andi just got back from a semester is Germany and is not in quite the best ski shape, so we decided to ski Coon Hill. Coon Hill is a small, but prominent mountain just west of the eisenhower tunnel. It involves about a 2 mile skin and only about 1200 vert. It was a good choice for the day. We met at the west portal of the Eisenhower Tunnel at 7:30 and we were hiking by 8:00 Going up: Coon Hill comes into view: photo taken to the west from the saddle. Mount of the Holy Cross is visible on the right side of this picture with the prominent Cross Couloir visible across it. Apparently, this mountain used to be a pilgrimage site for many Christians due to the prominent cross across it. It is definitely a cool line that I would love to ski one day. almost there! tenmile range, Quandary, and Breckenridge Grays and Torrey's We summited at 10:00 AM, about 2 hours after we started. Andi at the top with Grays and Torrey's Ready to ski! We skied the east face, the top was already perfect corn when we dropped in at 10:00, and it was past prime lower down, but still fun! Near the bottom: Our Route: Its definitely been a fun couple of days. I'll get back out into the CO backcountry next week....STILL SOOOO MUCH SNOW Anyway, I am going up to Beartooth Pass ski area in Montana this weekend for a couple of days of lift served skiing up there. They have MUCH better terrain open that A-Basin. Ill definitely post some pics when I get back... Oh and GOOD NEWS guys, I got a job in Denver starting on July 11th! So, I get to stay out here! So excited!!!!! Quote
Ride Delaware ? Posted June 24, 2011 Report Posted June 24, 2011 Seriously Jordan, you hardcore... Lots of props to your dedication... You deserve the lift served rest you'll get next week... You deserved it... Thanks for the pics too... Helps to have stoke during the 90 degree heat... And its not even July 4th yet... Quote
Barb Posted June 24, 2011 Report Posted June 24, 2011 (edited) Congrats on the job Jordan. Maybe we can finally meet up next season at Loveland. I'm sure I can't keep up with you but I bet my youngest can, he'll ski anything. By the way Colorado is awesome! Hiked Chautauqua myself today after asking my son the last 4 days to go with me. Left him home. Gotta check boulder osmp website to see where to hike tomorrow. Edited June 24, 2011 by Barb Quote
jordan Posted June 24, 2011 Author Report Posted June 24, 2011 Congrats on the job Jordan. Maybe we can finally meet up next season at Loveland. I'm sure I can't keep up with you but I bet my youngest can, he'll ski anything. By the way Colorado is awesome! Hiked Chautauqua myself today after asking my son the last 4 days to go with me. Left him home. Gotta check boulder osmp website to see where to hike tomorrow. Ill go ahead and suggest Royal Arch. Its like 3 miles roundtrip from the chatauqua trailhead and I think 1200-1500 vert. Great hike to start getting yourself in better shape for some of the bigger hikes in boulder like Green and Bear peaks. I'd definitely be down to do some hiking with you in the coming weeks! Quote
Barb Posted June 24, 2011 Report Posted June 24, 2011 Ill go ahead and suggest Royal Arch. Its like 3 miles roundtrip from the chatauqua trailhead and I think 1200-1500 vert. Great hike to start getting yourself in better shape for some of the bigger hikes in boulder like Green and Bear peaks. I'd definitely be down to do some hiking with you in the coming weeks! I just got off the website and had it narrowed down to sanitas or royal arch. I've done sanitas (not to the top though) so I'll take your advice. I gotta get some better shoes. Only have running sneakers but they will have to do for tomorrow. You have my cell, call or text me anytime to go on a hike. Quote
nick malozzi Posted June 24, 2011 Report Posted June 24, 2011 i second royal arch... it's one of my favorites. i'm about due to head back there, but maybe not until the fall. summer is pretty much planned already, too damn much to do/see out here! Quote
mbike-ski Posted June 24, 2011 Report Posted June 24, 2011 nice report and pics. i'm thinking how i'd ski after a 6 hr hike Quote
Barb Posted June 24, 2011 Report Posted June 24, 2011 Whew, royal arch is challenging. Felt completely out of shape. Especially when the 20 something group of girls passes me almost running and having a conversation, not even breathing hard. View from the top is great!Kind of a traffic jam to get up to the top, had to wait a good 10 minutes until a few came down. Hopefully after a few more weeks my lungs will be used to the altitude. At least that is what I'm telling myself as to why I was moving so slow today. Quote
nick malozzi Posted June 25, 2011 Report Posted June 25, 2011 Whew, royal arch is challenging. Felt completely out of shape. Especially when the 20 something group of girls passes me almost running and having a conversation, not even breathing hard. View from the top is great!Kind of a traffic jam to get up to the top, had to wait a good 10 minutes until a few came down. Hopefully after a few more weeks my lungs will be used to the altitude. At least that is what I'm telling myself as to why I was moving so slow today. ur lungs will get the hang of it. keep hiking royal arch and it'll happen real fast. btw jordan, where you working? and congrats! Quote
Ride Delaware ? Posted June 25, 2011 Report Posted June 25, 2011 i miss skiing. Anyone here who doesn't can gtfo... Unless your lucky enough to still be getting turns... Quote
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