TR: James Peak Starligt Couloir 6-30-11---plus, reflection on a sobering experience

[jordan]

So they other day I got a facebook message from Sarah, who is a friend of a mutual friend, Jeff. Jeff had suggested that she contact me about skiing midweek, because we both have some free time. We decided to go ski the Starlight Couloir on James Peak, just above Saint Mary's Glacier.

 

We met in Golden around 6:00 and drove up to the Saint Mary's trailhead and were hiking by 7:00. The crew consisted of me, Sarah, and Sarah's cute puppy, Bailey.

 

After a short 15 minute hike, we reached the base of the glacier, where we spotted a short, but steep line above the lake to ski after our main goal of the Starlight Couloir on James...more to come on this later

 

 

we then proceeded up the glacier, and up the giant flat area between the glacier and James Peak where all the snow blows from to form the glacier:

 

 

We spotted Grays and Torreys:

 

 

and after a while, we made it to the top of our goal, the Starlight Couloir:

 

 

 

the entrance:

 

 

 

and now for some skiing shots of the couloir: sarah:

 

 

Puppy stoke!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the basin below, we spotted Superstar Couloir. This is one of the most intense lines in the front range. The top pushes 60 degrees, and much of the time there is a cornice that one has to maneuver around or over to get into the line. This is a line I have yet to ski, but hope to do one day:

 

 

 

after skiing, we had a small, short hike back out to the large flat area, and another ~2 mile hike over the flats to the top of the glacier. We skied on the glacier for a ways until we got to the top of the second line we wanted to ski today. This is where we had a little mishap.

 

view of Saint Mary's lake from the top of the line:

 

 

Me looking down:

 

 

When I skied, I noticed that the snow was very different from the spring snow we experienced in the Couloir on James. This was hard summer snow. Summer snow is very different from edgeable spring snow. It is like skiing icy hardpack. On a steep line, it is easy to lose hold of your edge on the snow and go barreling down the mountain.

 

Sarah dropped in after me:

 

 

After this shot was taken, Sarah lost friction between her edge and the snow and completely lost it. She tumbled over some rocks on the left side of this photo and came to a stop on the steep slope just above a large cliff. She hurt her leg, couldn't even bend her knee, and was unable to walk or ski down.

 

We thought for a little bit about what to do. We came to the conclusion that there was absolutely no way I was going to be able to safely get her down without assistance. We ended up calling 911, and the Clear Creek County Alpine Rescue team responded. They came equipped with ropes to safely belay her down in a "butt slide" position. They were absolutely fantastic, and I have no idea what we would have done without their help. they also brought an alpine stretcher and were able to wheel her all the way out to the car. I then drove her to the hospital.

 

this is the line we attempted to ski. the photo is taken from down by the lake:

 

 

This was a truly sobering experience, and a stark reminder of the dangers involved in summer skiing. Not only is summer snow hard to hold an edge on, but there are also many more hazards exposed this time of year, so if you do happen to fall, the consequences can be greater.

 

I am truly grateful of the amazing rescue teams we have here in Colorado. Alpine Rescue is a group of volunteers, and victims are never charged for their services. Please consider contributing to this valuable resource by buying a Colorado Search and Rescue Card here: http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/fa/sar/sar_purchase.html

 

-Jordan

[OutCold]

Crazy shit. I would've never guessed there would be a hardpack-like surface this time of year.

[Ride Delaware ?]

Once again, nice work!!! I'm sorry to hear that your friend got hurt, but it could have been worse... Did she get the injury diagnosed?

[jordan]

Sickbird...I don't think people should take their dogs skiing..

honestly doug, shut up. Who are you to judge

 

Ride Delaware, there are no broken bones, but there is likely ligament damage. She is going for an MRI this week.

[AngryHugo]

looks pretty awesome. and that dog rules.

[Timeless]

honestly doug, shut up.

 

+1 for this

 

+1 for the pictures and for getting out there so much this late in the year, I think most of us on here have at least some degree of envy.

 

Hope your friend recovers quickly, a reality check every now and again can be a good thing, as long as it doesn't cause any serious injury.

[Ride Delaware ?]

Ride Delaware, there are no broken bones, but there is likely ligament damage. She is going for an MRI this week.

Hopefully it can all be resolved with some PT...