TR: Getting the Goods of Gallatin, May 3-5, 2013

[ODHGABFE]

Getting the Goods of Gallatin
May 3rd-5th, 2013.


Soundtrack: Hank III and His Damn Band, bootleg from Nashville





The Players:

ODH

photo: Jen Rook




Addison






Morrison







Weather: Cold and snowing, or warm and sunny. You know, Spring.







The Place: Gallatin Peak 11,015'






Gallatin is a beautiful mountain. Being the tallest in the Spanish Peaks subrange of the Madison Range, it is visible from many locations.

It looms over the lesser peaks looking west on Garnet:






It peeks over high ridgelines looking from the north:






It is the obvious high point when viewed from the south:






And holds the distinction of being the highest peak visible from the Gallatin Valley:








Gallatin Peak was named after Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury from 1801-1815

Handsome devil.




As he was Secretary of the Treasury during Lewis and Clark's adventure across the west, the duo named many important geographic points after him, as well as other prominent public figures, in order secure favor and thus, more $$. So we have the Madison, Gallatin, and Jefferson rivers and counties, the Madison and Gallatin Ranges, Gallatin Peak, Mount Jefferson... and so on.





Anywho, back to Gallatin Peak.






I had been on the summit of Gallatin once before:




..but that was in the summer. I longed to see what it would be like covered in snow.





Last year Addison and I went out in late May to try our luck, and although we still had some fun..




..the coverage was lacking and the weather warm, so we ended up doing lots of this:








So riding on a hunch, and after bailing on plans for a day tour Friday, we waited for Morrison to get his gear together, and set out that afternoon for a weekend of camping.




Addison making his way through Beehive. We went to the head of the basin and took off over the east pass towards Summit Lake, and on towards Gallatin.








We knew the weather was going to be cloudy and snowy Friday into Saturday, and sure enough:



We couldn't see shit! Addison getting ready to drop off the pass.






We got to the Thompson Lake area just before dusk, set up the tent, and tried to dry off from all the snow falling. The next morning we woke to clouds, did a little bit of camp work, then set off for the day.



Gallatin is somewhere over there.









We went a short little way and decided to hit something we could sort of see. Everything disappeared into the clouds, and we took a gamble on one that seemed to go a ways up. Turns out it was a good bet..



Morrison and Addison heading up and right








Dug a pit to confirm hunches, CT 16~ 60cm deep, ECT NP, ECT NP again higher up. Yup.








So, up we went.








All smiles here.









I'm a sucker for these stupid goggle-reflection shots.









I was the only one with an axe, so they made me go first. I was a-ok with that.









We find some silly places to hang in the mountains.








It had been sort of clearing for a little while, but then the clouds began to sock back in










But that didn't phase us. We were very happy to be alive, perched on the Rhino Roost.



You had to be there.







This line kept going up and up! Just as we thought we were reaching the col, we spied a chute that continued up towards the east face, then a ridge that kept going from there. I felt we were close to the summit, but the already low vis combined with fading daylight had us debating on continuing up.








We waited a few minutes and my hunch only grew, so up we went again. The boys weren't too keen on the ridge in front of us, so we walked around to the snow-covered east face










A few moments later, after some steep steps on the east face, I reached the summit and collapsed to my knees in gratitude. It was clear here, but you could make out some ridges, and see the clouds roiling where significant peaks were. It was bliss.










Addison on the final steps up










And then, there we were. Gallatin Peak summit, 11,015'.










We enjoyed the moment of clear weather, but in an amateur move, enjoyed it a little too long and the clouds rolled back in. We had to get back to here:









..but the clouds rolling in made the first turns a little scary. Did I mention it was also 8:15pm? Tips over the east face:









We negotiated the upper east face, got some powder in the top chute, and then were back at the col. Addison heading into the darkness









With only one firm spot at the top of the couloir, it was one of my most enjoyable ski descents ever. Perfect smooth powder with weird vis, rock walls on either side to give some depth, and a solid 2,000' from the summit. Amen.











We got back to the tent around 9, made dinner, melted water, celebrated with libations, and hit the sack, some tired puppies.


-continued-

[ODHGABFE]

-continued-


Waking the next morning, we were quickly rejuvenated, because it was friggin' gorgeous!











A friend gave me some Swiss chocolate, and I imagined for a while we were in Switzerland. Similar, no?








But Montana will do just fine.









The outhouse had an excellent view.









Morrison happy to be alive. Or maybe he's just stretching.













It was time for one more run before packing up and leaving. There are many options in that area, but with a bootpack set to the summit, it was a no-brainer on where to go: the West Couloir.










We set off towards our up-track. A better view of the couloir from the day prior:




It continues up and around to the right behind the large rock to the summit. I heard someone call it the NW Couloir, as it is NW facing, yet it is on the East side of the North Face. I like calling it the Spiral Route, because that's what it seems to do, Spiral to the top. But that's one thing I love about this area: much of it has been skied/climbed and has a name, but the names vary from circle to circle, since much of it doesn't see enough traffic to have established names. Even a spot as popular as Beehive Basin is vague descriptions and differing names.


But we don't need to go into that in too much detail. Back to the facts.



Fact: The top of the East Face is steep:










Fact: This is beautiful










Big Sky/Moonlight





















Beehive is gnar from here.














Morrison upon the summit. We would downclimb a few feet down the lower left to access the couloir.











There it is, the West Couloir











One of these for the record. That's a genuine Pendleton flannel, if you're wondering.











And then, it was time to shred. Morrison dropping in hot like it's inbounds










The snow was definitely some funky springtime slop, but it did little to dampen the quality of the experience.


Addison just below the dogleg










We went down the last pitch, and that was that. We returned to camp and reflected on how lucky and fortunate we had been while Morrison went to retrieve his camera gear.











I could probably sit here for hours











But alas, we had to return to the outside world. We packed up and headed to Summit Lake, out the way we came.

One last look into the Thompson Lake basin. Many options to be had, given the time, and the motivation.










We rested at Summit Lake for a moment, to enjoy the scenery..







..and steel ourselves for the last difficulty of the trip: returning to Beehive Basin. We were shooting for the pass, and hoped it wasn't farther away than it looked.












We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful evening on the way out. Morrison and Addison crossing the moraines for the final push up










And then, we were almost home.











We took a few last looks at where we had been:











The West Couloir. I am honored and humbled to say, "I've skied that." Big checkmark.











We enjoyed the fading light on the Madison Range, and readied ourselves for the last 3 miles of the trip. We were excited for the dropping temps and thus firm-ish snow for the way out. I knew I would be able to coast and skate most of it, but Addison and Morrison had to posthole through a meadow while I skimmed across. Sorry, boys.




High fives to end an amazing weekend. Oh yeah, these May days put me to 43 months straight of skiing. Cool!













It was TRs such as this that motivated me to move here and do things like this in the first place, and I am honored to attempt to return the favor. Thank you.

[sar13]

Waiting for part 2 - Whoops. thought i posted between parts.

Great TR - Thanks

[My Pet Powder Goat]

nice! been digging your TR's.

[soulturn]

very cool.

[butterscotch]

Great TR! You've had a hell of a second season.

[Sirshredalot]

Way to get that one! This one was always on my to-do list, and it looks like you did it right.

[MontuckyFried]

Freaking motivating! Makes me realize just how little I've scratched the surface of the area. Always wondered what that peak was.

[tone capone]

Hell yeah man, just missed ya, was up there on the 2nd. We went up the spiral route and down the west. Looks like you guys had some great conditions and spent some quality time out there.

[CallMeAl]

Hey Mark, neat!

[goldenboy]

Great TR all around, thanks for posting

[carlh]

Looks awesome, good to hear the snow is doing ok again. Hopefully some of the access roads open soon with this warm weather.

[Grape_Ape]

Nice. My only trip to Big Sky had me wondering about Gallatin and the Sphinx. That's about as close I got to those peaks.

[Tye 1on]

FKNA!!!!

brings back some outstanding Big Sky/Beehive-Bear memories...well played sir!!!

[gointhedistance]

So cool - look nice out there still.

Glad to see your appreciation for the mountains!

[Jupski]

Rad! Gallatin is one awesome peak.

[DictatorShooter]

Awesome!

[LightRanger]

Badass man. Thanks for the reports.

[Boom Heir]

FKNA! Way to get after it and thanks for the stoke. You guys crushed it!

[lynchdogger]

To the top for this TR! Sweet. Well done sir.

Baaabam!

[ODHGABFE]

Glad ya'll enjoyed it, I sure did. Had been wanting to ski off that peak for years and to get two quality, 'classic' runs in has me very satisfied. Really wish the weather would cooperate a little more right now, I'm moving to Durango for the summer and would love to ski up here once or twice more before I leave but it's not looking too good. Oh well.

[wolfelot]

Whoa! That was most excellent!

[_Aaron_]

Sweet.

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