best couloir in north america?

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12-09-2005, 10:22 PM
BradyCU

It is absurd that no one has mentioned the Jackson Hole Wy. town Couloir somewhere between 5,000-65,345 vertical and 65-23 constant pitch until you ski into the creek at the bottom.

http://static.flickr.com/34/71960700_c95a73e41f_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/34/71960687_2c67c6a2c2_o.jpg
12-09-2005, 10:24 PM
Zeedashbo

mt. buckner n. face col. been skied maybe a couple of times. once that i know of.

http://www.sverdina.com/images/forbi...orbidden14.jpg

ice cliff colouir mt stuart
http://staff.washington.edu/skykilo/.../ICCouloir.jpg
12-09-2005, 10:30 PM
Buster Highmen

fight!fight!fight indeed. A superb troll, multifluous and faceted, deep and cutting.

Too many conditions, though. It's only a mirror.

N. Cascades are so rich. So is Cooke City, Montana. And the T-Juanas. And Koots. And the melilfluos folds of the Sawtooths. The blood of christ range. Not to mention the spine of fire from Baker to Shasta++.

I'm no judge, there's shitloads way better, only a cheap acolyte.
12-09-2005, 11:33 PM
Blurred

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOHSHSIHd

hey bro...you ever gonna be in summit this year?

He'll be up skiing with us on Sunday after he gets done telling stories on the internet about Joe Beater that aren't true!:fm: :fm:
12-10-2005, 06:49 AM
shera

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

He'll be up skiing with us on Sunday after he gets done telling stories on the internet about Joe Beater that aren't true!:fm: :fm:

I heard Joe skied the whole thing switch. :D

Seriously, I think he did straightline from the choke on down. He's retarded that way.
12-10-2005, 06:59 AM
Core Shot

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradyCU

It is absurd that no one has mentioned the Jackson Hole Wy. town Couloir somewhere between 5,000-65,345 vertical and 65-23 constant pitch until you ski into the creek at the bottom.

Bwaaaa!
How could I have forgotten Taco Bell Couloir!!! :fm:

Although its not really a couloir.
And its not really legal.
12-10-2005, 10:10 AM
Strider

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackhead

You mean the Hossack-McGowan on the Grand?

Yes, that's the one. I just could not remember the right name. Anyway, this line rules them all.
12-10-2005, 10:48 AM
Trackhead

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strider

Yes, that's the one. I just could not remember the right name. Anyway, this line rules them all.

Especially since at his only been skied twice, and only once from the summit. And attempted multiple times by some of this countries best alpinist/skiers.
12-10-2005, 11:51 AM
Stealth Radness

A couple more entries from the WA...
12-10-2005, 02:12 PM
nhtele

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yossarian

surprised that Bell Cord hasn't shown up yet. Or did it, and I missed it?
Sweet coolie off N face of Grizzly over by Aspen as well. On the tick list for this spring.

Did those on back-to-back days in June. Super-fun.
12-10-2005, 02:16 PM
nhtele

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark

Question for you New Englanda's:

Has anyone skied Shoestring Gully on Mt. Webster?

Not too steep, but almost 3k of vert. Very slide prone when in skiable shape though.

Mildbill has been eyeing that for years.
12-10-2005, 03:56 PM
gramps

Ah, the Hossack-Macgowen on the Grand Teton. About as gnarly as it gets?

http://xs58.xs.to/pics/05496/grandteton.jpg
12-10-2005, 04:32 PM
Strider

Quote:

Originally Posted by gramps

Ah, the Hossack-Macgowen on the Grand Teton. About as gnarly as it gets?

http://xs58.xs.to/pics/05496/grandteton.jpg

Thanks for posting the pic. So Trackhead, when will we see a TR from you?
12-11-2005, 02:37 PM
higheddies

NW on the pfeiff is a fun one
12-13-2005, 12:13 PM
Yeti

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark

Question for you New Englanda's:

Has anyone skied Shoestring Gully on Mt. Webster?

Not too steep, but almost 3k of vert. Very slide prone when in skiable shape though.

Shoestring is nicer than Horseshoe, IMO -- but I got turned back by the small ice cliff 2/3 of the way up.
12-13-2005, 12:25 PM
Trackhead

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strider

Thanks for posting the pic. So Trackhead, when will we see a TR from you?

Well, considering it's only been skied twice. One of those times by JH locals, who knows when it will be in shape again. And if I'll have the time and the right partner to go up there and attempt it.

It is one of my highest priorities for this season, so we'll see. I'd be happy to just get into it to check it out. If it's not in shape, there are other options in the area such as the Koven and other routes on Owen.

If I get into it, it won't be a TR, but video footage for a project.
12-13-2005, 12:30 PM
Trackhead

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hacksaw

Wow! I can't believe that no one has said, "The Black Ice Couloir." The name allow send shivers up your back..... Sorry, I don't have a photo of it handy.

Any way, the Black Ice is between the Enclosure and the Grand Teton. I climbed it back in 79' and I was impressed (60 degree hard-as-nails alpine ice pitches, VERY narrow crux pitch section, screaming ass rockfall.... ). It was finally skied by Mark Newcomb and Steve Koch in 93'. I think they had to belay ski/snowboard it most of the way.

Halsted

They belayed to top turns, then skied the rest sans belay, except for the raps over the crux.

www.pitonproductions.com/StephenKoch.wmv
12-13-2005, 01:06 PM
ski_faster

This one has me drooling. Grand Mogul in the Sawtooths. This picture was taken last Memorial day.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/a...7&d=1134500701
12-13-2005, 01:18 PM
Yonder_River

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hacksaw

Wow! I can't believe that no one has said, "The Black Ice Couloir." The name allow send shivers up your back..... Sorry, I don't have a photo of it handy.

Any way, the Black Ice is between the Enclosure and the Grand Teton. I climbed it back in 79' and I was impressed (60 degree hard-as-nails alpine ice pitches, VERY narrow crux pitch section, screaming ass rockfall.... ). It was finally skied by Mark Newcomb and Steve Koch in 93'. I think they had to belay ski/snowboard it most of the way.

Flying around Baffin Island in May 99', I saw thousands of small, big and monster size couloirs. Baffin Island is a treasure house of first ski descents.... To bad its such a bitch to go there.

Halsted

Wow, I've looked down a few times when descending the O/S Route and thought I'd like to climb that sometime. Never pondered it as being a ski route, but I guess I'm lacking vision. It seems like you would need a lot of snow to stick to the ice there for it to not be a skating rink.
12-17-2005, 08:34 PM
Arno

Quote:

Originally Posted by Core Shot

Is there an acceptable definition of "Couloir"???

To me, an essential part of a coulie is having rock walls on either side of you, feeling the rock and the mountain envelope and enclose you.
A narrow ribbon of snow not surrounded by rock walls would be more of a "chute" to me.
Not sure where I got that distinction other than by observation of named routes.
I could be wrong. Just wondering if there is any consensus.

The french word "couloir" is actually the word for hallway, implying narrow with two walls, but when it was first used in mountain climbing in the 19th century, the meaning was more "passageway" (hey, I looked that up on the web).

I'd say the French use "couloir" in a wider context than this, although I don't think they make a distinction between couloirs and chutes.

That was nerdish (hi Ogre!).. great thread! Shall we have a Euro version?? Flingle may be able to advise
:fmicon:
12-18-2005, 12:41 AM
tywhy

Quote:

Originally Posted by couloirman

How could anyone ever think the second "notch" at A basin was better than the SFB(shit for brains) couloir located far skiers right out of bounds. It kuch steeper and narrower and only gets at most 8-10 skiers a year that ive seen the last 4 years(present company included on a solo descent). Anyone that can ski the SFB can ski just about anything. You barely even have to hike more thnan 15-20 minutes to get to the the second notch. SFB is a multi hour climb. On the top chairlift just look left and behind you and the SFB is the one you stare at and wonder if it is possible sans ropes(which it is).

you're a dork
12-19-2005, 06:21 PM
wiunnbd

someday....hopefully soon:

"SuperGully"

http://www.justhiking.com/hikes/2003...lrpa/lrpa2.jpg
12-19-2005, 06:35 PM
powstash

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullet

It may not be the "best", but it is most definately the highest in the lower 48.

http://billhenry.smugmug.com/photos/48625885-M.jpg
http://billhenry.smugmug.com/photos/48630018-M.jpg

Geeze, I don't know which part of me wants which part of that - the coolie looks sick for skiing and that beautiful rock looks like a dream for climbing. Hmmm, do both?!?

Def on my list.
01-13-2006, 11:00 AM
Yossarian

so many good lines in this one.
01-13-2006, 01:08 PM
enlosandes

Hey covert, where you take the picture of Labrinth from, top of Azufre?
04-20-2006, 10:28 AM
FrankZappa

OK... 'tis the season!
Revival time. Back to the front with you...

Couloir in the Three Apostles, Colo. Sawatch
Attachment 12405

San Juan "sample" near Ophir Pass
Attachment 12406
04-20-2006, 01:05 PM
boarderline

Question for the BC minded Utards out there: Other than the Y Couloir and the Grunge Couloir, what are some of your other favorites?

EDIT: 1000 posts!
04-20-2006, 01:22 PM
gongshowattack

hey frankzappa is that 2nd pic of urs one of the faces from booter crunk? it looks sooo familiar...
04-20-2006, 01:47 PM
sfotex

Y-coulior on Mt. Black (pic taken later in the year, we did it as an ice climb..)
First descent by the late Hans Sari

http://snownet.org/images/mtblack/images/dsc00884.jpg
04-20-2006, 02:58 PM
bad_roo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Core Shot

Bwaaaa!
How could I have forgotten Taco Bell Couloir!!! :fm:

Although its not really a couloir.
And its not really legal.

But it's not too far to go to celebrate with a large Bubbatiser.
04-20-2006, 05:22 PM
DisArray

Quote:

Originally Posted by boarderline

Question for the BC minded Utards out there: Other than the Y Couloir and the Grunge Couloir, what are some of your other favorites?

EDIT: 1000 posts!

I'm suprised no one has mentioned the Hypodermic Needle.

http://www.met.utah.edu/jimsteen/Hog...s/dsc00974.jpg
(thanks for the pic, whoever you are)
04-20-2006, 06:40 PM
slippy

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfotex

Y-coulior on Mt. Black (pic taken later in the year, we did it as an ice climb..)
First descent by the late Hans Sari

http://snownet.org/images/mtblack/images/dsc00884.jpg

I skied it that day with Hans, it's fun but I'm sure there's betta ones out there.....
04-20-2006, 06:46 PM
Endlessseason

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisArray

I'm suprised no one has mentioned the Hypodermic Needle.

Altaski did on page 1 of this thread, but he didn't supply the great pic. Thnx.
04-20-2006, 08:58 PM
chill winston

the sierra has too many sweet corn-draped couloirs to name, so we just bring mini skis up during granite season

http://www.tahoebackcountry.net/feat...029_powell.jpg
04-20-2006, 11:38 PM
RootSkier

Extreme snowlerblading. That shit is HOT. :yourock:
04-21-2006, 03:28 AM
Telegasm

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillingCokes

From www.395.com
"Broken Finger Peak 13,280+ Scheelite Couloir
This couloir arguably has the most drop of all the Sierra Chutes. The total drop to the exit in Pine Creek canyon is 4800' but the 45° main chute is about 2500' with the lower half at a 35° pitch in a lovely and spacious gully. The upper couloir is steep and tight, but never has a lip since it faces east. Access is at the crest of the Pine Creek Canyon road just prior to Scheelite along the power line. Look for the biggest chute you ever saw on the right."http://www.ericbalog.com/pix/bishop/..._vert_feet.jpg

That "395 dot com" web dude never skied it, I guess.

Height: Scheelite is a full 6,000 vertical feet, beginning a ways up the ridge from the ruins of the Adamson Mine at over 13K' and ending at just above 7,000' at Pine Creek.

Slope: The upper chute is only 45° for a very short distance in a choke about 200' down from the top. The rest of it is 40ish and only lasts 1500 feet or less. Unfortunately the whole rest of the couloir varies wildly between long sections that are only 15-20 degrees (and wide as a football field) and short pitches of 35°.

Quality: unfortunately, usually full of junk (faces east-southeast) at any time that it's full to the bottom. And when it's not full to the outlet, the bush/boulder/waterfall/dirt/moss climbing at the bottom is a pretty good deterrent.

... I still recommend it, though, if you're in this for suffering and scenery more than good turns. If you climb up it from the road, a good starting time suggestion is midnight, or 3AM if you're in great shape. People try it from 4 or 5AM all the time and only get halfway up before getting chased out by slush trains.
04-22-2006, 12:54 PM
C-dale

Very nice but not in NA.

[IMG]http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/64548.jpg\[IMG]
04-22-2006, 01:01 PM
hemas

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-dale

Very nice but not in NA.

http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/64548.jpg

Didn't Nobis ski that in some ski-flick?
04-22-2006, 01:04 PM
C-dale

Quote:

Originally Posted by hemas

Didn't Nobis ski that in some ski-flick?

I don't know. It has a little rapel at the bottom.
04-22-2006, 04:45 PM
huckasoreass

Here's a happy little one. It's hidden in a little cranny between Sugar Bowl and Squaw. It takes roughly 8 hours (2 1/2 hour skin approach and slow going return) but is best with an overnight hut stay. It's about 3,500' and is an easy approach on the looker's right shoulder (out of frame), then around the back. It goes top to bottom. Oldtimer and I got it twice in one day a couple of years back in picture perfect powder.
http://www.biglines.com/photosv2/200...ines_57660.jpg

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