TR: one of the best yet

**adimmen** · 06-16-2008, 08:56 PM

The question of what makes a great line has no easy answer. Obviously the snow and weather conditions as well as particular features of the line itself play a large role. However, I have increasingly realized that it is intangible factors which turn good days into great ones.

This was the third time I skied Big Eyes this year. The first was in late November and we were stopped a little over half way up by a rock outcropping. It was a classic early season outing with the typical problems.

Later in the spring I went back. And again I came away disappointed. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great either. I thought I was done with Big Eyes for the year but when we decided against our original plan, we gave it another shot. This time the stars aligned to produce one of my favorite days of the year. None of us could stop smiling.

Approaching the apron, it is clear you are in for an aesthetic descent. Jagged rock pillars tower over most of the couloir.

A short apron leads to 2000 feet of inset climbing. Surprisingly there was zero rock fall.

Now I got your attention, right? This is one of the coolest girls I have ever met and it was my absolute pleasure to show her around the backcountry.

Life is good.

(FRD)

The coulie held some of the best corn I have ever skied. It was perfect top to bottom. No refreeze, no crust, no glop.

(FRD)

It felt so good to get reacquainted with the Gore. I have missed her so. Short drive, good snow, great views.

It is hard to capture just how inset the couloir is. It is truly the stuff of dreams. If it was 1000 feet longer or steeper, Big Eyes would be an ultra classic. Regardless, it is a top three line for the year.

(FRD)

(FRD)

There are two alternatives near the bottom. Coast down the apron or straightline through this gap. I knew FRD would send it but I wasn’t sure about my female friend. She, however, had no such doubts. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. She hit it full throttle and skied out perfectly until she ditched too much speed and caught an edge. Then, bam, an image that is burned into my memory: she starts tumbling down the apron with equipment flying in all directions. Immediately after she stopped sliding, she was already hiking back up for her stuff. The smile on my face grew even bigger.

(FRD)

**fluffballs** · 06-16-2008, 09:10 PM

awesome tr, awesome line, and hold on to that lady, she's a keeper.

**FrontRangeDrummer** · 06-16-2008, 09:35 PM

This day had everything: a classic Gore "rewarding" approach, fun climbing, a sweet line, bluebird and calm, great partners, PERFECT corn.

I would say the first four turns were the best, but then I remember the turns below the first choke, and then the turns below the second choke, and then the straightline-to-GS-turns on the apron... It was all good.

**jSki** · 06-16-2008, 09:36 PM

Was waiting for my weekly fix of adimmen TR, looks like a good time.

Instant mag status!

Edit: your title got this song stuck in my head, classic Gangstarr

**summit** · 06-16-2008, 09:38 PM

woot! woot!

**forum8fox** · 06-16-2008, 09:38 PM

very nice andy, that line is ultra classic.
I wish I knew the beta and logistics that's for sure.

Glad to see your still getting out, pleanty of snow left.
Keep up the strong work.
What else are you skiing this year?

**mtnbikerskierchick** · 06-16-2008, 09:39 PM

You know the guys are gonna want nekkid pics of her

And she needs a name too, other than "female friend"

**Whiteroom_Guardian** · 06-16-2008, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by fluffballs

awesome tr, awesome line, and hold on to that lady, she's a keeper.

2nd that. The young hottie shredder is a rare and elusive creature.

**P_McPoser** · 06-16-2008, 09:49 PM

She was pretty hot in the back of FRD's jeep when Summit and I met her

**adimmen** · 06-16-2008, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by mtnbikerskierchick

You know the guys are gonna want nekkid pics of her

And she needs a name too, other than "female friend"

I know, I know but at least there have been 6 responses without any requests. I guess that's because 4 are friends that know better.

I intentionally left her name off. With all the sites like Facebook, it's pretty easy to track people down with just a first name.

**P_McPoser** · 06-16-2008, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by adimmen

I know, I know but at least there have been 6 responses without any requests. I guess that's because 4 are friends that know better.

I intentionally left her name off. With all the sites like Facebook, it's pretty easy to track people down with just a first name.

What, worried about competition?!

**StanWagon** · 06-16-2008, 09:57 PM

It is great for this old guy -- 56 years for those of you who don't know me -- to see the youngsters shred it up in there. That line is in my backyard (can reach it directly from my house), but my old school technique might not be up to the standard needed to ski it. In any case, I have looked at it again and again over my years in the Gore and it is nice to see it appreciated -- and in good shape this year.

After it was first skied last year, Joe Kramarsic, the author of the Gore Range Guide and a non-skier, could not stand it that he had not climbed this route. So one week after the first descent he climbed it and called it the most esthetic couloir in the Gore.

Nice job Andy and friends...

**cjw** · 06-16-2008, 09:58 PM

slacker.

**Kellie** · 06-16-2008, 10:06 PM

Nice work - looks like a classic line on a classic spring day

**couloirman** · 06-16-2008, 10:12 PM

wow, awesome work to keep getting after it. is that couloir 186.5? Don't let her out of your site andy, shes a keeper for sure...

EDIT: nevermind, it doesnt look the same as 186.5, I was mistaken.

**pointedem** · 06-16-2008, 10:21 PM

nice! great for you guys. I like the shot of her pointing it.

**FrontRangeDrummer** · 06-16-2008, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by couloirman

wow, awesome work to keep getting after it. is that couloir 186.5?

Nope. This was WAY wider.

Stan, Thanks for the traverse tracks to follow on the way out.

**powdork** · 06-16-2008, 10:24 PM

this thread is useless w/o phone numbers.

**adimmen** · 06-16-2008, 10:43 PM

Here is part of the sequence FRD referred to. My camera has been acting up and the result has been lots of blown shots. It's too bad since some could have been sweet.

**neck beard** · 06-16-2008, 10:49 PM

perfect

....

**tone capone** · 06-17-2008, 12:19 AM

It's cool how different things can be from one month to the next and how there are wonderful surprises in every season. Awesome to get up and down a line like that in such delicious corn. No refreeze, no glop. I love it!

**Meadow Skipper** · 06-17-2008, 07:21 AM

There's nothng like a really cool chute...unless it's a really cool grrl. Nice twofer.

**telepow** · 06-17-2008, 07:25 AM

that was hot. the line and girl

**montanaskier** · 06-17-2008, 07:29 AM

what a huge accomplishment.....and the line was sweet too!

**BurnHard** · 06-17-2008, 08:19 AM

Way to go after it Andy! When you said you'd be staying in SuCo instead of gonig to Aspen for the weekend, I thought you'd be doing a chill tour - your TR proves me wrong, DAMN, again a seriously aesthetic and beautiful line! Congrats.