Grays 14,270'
Kelso 13,164'
Solo
Total estimated vertical 4700'
Snow conditions were excellent. The pack was mostly frozen up solid in the AM. I found a few bottomless traps to fall into around rocky areas and on the easterly aspects. I'd stay away from really thin areas and be off just about anything by 1PM unless that day is particularly cool.
I had intended to only ski Kelso, but when I was able to drive to right beneath Kelso I decided to have a run at the Double Header of a 14er and a 13er. My intent was to do the Dead Dog on Torreys but just as I was leaving the car a pack of 7 or 8 skiers arrived with plans of hitting the DD too. I traveled up the valley in tandem with this group and they graciously offer for me to join them, but I decided since I'd summited and skied Torreys many times, but had never skied off of Grays I'd do that rather than wait in line for scraps at the Dog bowl.
The run down Gray's broad north east ramp was fabulous - the corn was 3"-7" deep and the sun was shining brightly. I was JUST able to ski off of the summit - the connection to the main snowfield may be gone by now.
I then hiked up the SW ridge of Kelso to the top of the lovely north facing gully/couloir. Ended up 2 of the other party were heading that way too - although I didn't ski with them as I was hurting on the altitude after spending 4 days in North Carolina.
From the summit of Kelso I had great corn turns all the way down to the creek bed - with just the last 50' having turned to bottomless slop.
I still have to replace my digital camera - so just have phone/camera shots to work with - thats the reason I took some artistic liberties with the vid.
05-21-2007, 04:28 PM
The Dad
Nicely played!
05-21-2007, 04:29 PM
IridePow
Nice runs!
And now let's have some current TR's on top and not just one year old ones. (Yoss please!)
05-21-2007, 07:42 PM
Z
Big day. Nice.
05-21-2007, 08:00 PM
telechuck
Sweet!
We were up there Saturday and put a few lines next to yours. Nice to know it was three sets of maggot tracks on that face Saturday afternoon.
The Dead Dog was a junk show. 15 people were in it at one point.
Nice looking tracks on Kelso. I saw those from the road.
05-21-2007, 08:02 PM
Rontele
Looking good, Sean!
05-21-2007, 08:34 PM
smitchell333
Quote:
Originally Posted by telechuck
Sweet!
We were up there Saturday and put a few lines next to yours. Nice to know it was three sets of maggot tracks on that face Saturday afternoon.
The Dead Dog was a junk show. 15 people were in it at one point.
Nice looking tracks on Kelso. I saw those from the road.
Right-on. Thats such a classic line - I'd probably just do Kelso again 2 or 3X since its so easy and fall line skiing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rontele
Looking good, Sean!
When are you going to get your ass out here and get your share of the corn?
05-21-2007, 08:42 PM
jon turner
Nice work sean, looks like a fun day.
05-21-2007, 09:23 PM
Tri-Ungulate
Strong solo effort mang. Is there any mountain scenery Kashmir doesn't go with?
05-21-2007, 10:08 PM
goldenboy
Strong work on the double bagger, there. You must have been moving to get to Kelso with good corn, still.
05-22-2007, 05:24 AM
shera
Good stuff! I gotta ski Kelso one of these days.
05-22-2007, 05:53 AM
Alpine Dreams
Really nice, strong work.
05-22-2007, 06:41 AM
sledneckripper
Holy flashback! The colors dude, the colors are like totally tripping me out!! WHOAAA.
05-22-2007, 09:49 AM
smitchell333
Quote:
Originally Posted by goldenboy
Strong work on the double bagger, there. You must have been moving to get to Kelso with good corn, still.
I was spent after topping out Kelso as I was coming from 4 nights at sea level and was moving as fast as possible to hit it before things got too warm. I was at the bottom by about 1PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SheRa
Good stuff! I gotta ski Kelso one of these days.
You must - this was was my 1st and its on my repeat list for sure.
