TR: Crooked Couloir. 05-25-06. Cletus, iskibc.

[Crinkle]

cletus skis pretty, solid read

[iHaveBC]

iHaveBC,

Was that you on the Volkls and fritschi's around treeline? If so, I think we passed you on our way back to the TH. On a day like today (rapid heating, light overnight freeze), you definitely want to get up there a lot earlier. 10:45 AM at the base of Toll is a tad bit late. Once we get some better overnight freezes, you will be able to get away with a later descent. From 11,900' to the summit it should take the average climber about 60-70 minutes.

That was me. I got those Volkls last week to replace my K2 Sucksans (at least for me as some people love em). Not I ski I liked overall. Too long at 185 for me and with a turn radius of 23 m not very quick around town. I went with the Volkls AC4's in 177. They match up well with my Gfits and Freeride bindings. The best part was reusing my old skins. I just had to buy a refit tip and tail kit as the tips on the Volkls are 125 while the K2's were 107 (late model Shuksen).

All this talk of loosing touring efficiency with a superside cut ski is bunk. I felt the Volkls toured exactly the same. If anything they were better with the shorter length. The sidecut on my BC ski is the same as my inbounds. The combination of a wide shovel and lots of sidecut make for quick turns. I like this setup esspecially when slogging through trees. We talk about big lines and all that stuff but alot of the time you spend tree whacking, another spot I appreciate quick turning skis.

Going out again on Tuesday and may try Toll for a third time. Fix the bike, start earlier and trace around the S. side of blue lake. Coming back I think I wasted a little time going around the N. side of the lake as the FRBC Ski Decents map suggests.

I had an 11:00 turn around time in my head. I started at 6:45 without a bike. When I got to the base of Toll at 11,900 I decided that was my spot to call it a day. I got spoked heading up to that saddle with soft snow, just a feeling I got. No use heading upward as I doubt I would have gotten much furhter in only 15 min. Another climber was heading up and I could see the general pace of accent. From the saddle I took some pics, watched you guys ski the upper section of Crooked and then skied down to the South Side of Blue Lake. Of note heading down about 1/3 of the way between that saddle and the lake is a narrow chute leading back out to a open slope. Just off to the right is a big drop with a great natural landing. It is one of the selectie airs, choose your footage.

Simon

[FrankZappa]

iski has way too many i-alias. Great write up & pics. Glad you got your redemption too.
This shot I like:

[alpinepronghorn]

In the immortal words of Ozzy:

Oh Yeeeaaa!



Right on! It's always so rewarding to go bag something you had to retreat on before. You just have to love it when the mountains play hard to get...

[rudy]

Is the bike section all paved/hardpack roads? Was planning on heading up there soon and only have a roadbike at my disposal currently. Cletus/Iski what time did you start the bike?

[robokill1981]

Is the bike section all paved/hardpack roads? Was planning on heading up there soon and only have a roadbike at my disposal currently. Cletus/Iski what time did you start the bike?

Not sure what time they started exactly (check the other cletus TR from Brainard on the front page for more info) but the bike section is all paved and mostly flat. You'll be fine on a road bike.

[Ireallyliketoski2]

Great TR, I really enjoyed reading that. iskibc, you have perfect form, he must be a ski instructor or something.

That road takes about 45-60 minutes to walk and it's pretty much flat. I skied Toll last year and summited at 8:30 and found good snow conditions, you don't want to be up there late, lots of wet slides. No later than 10am I would say.

[StillKickin]

Thanks for the stories boyz. Nice recap of our day. That was us that got out in front of you yesterday morning on the bikes. But that didn't last long once we got on the boards as you flew by us going up the trail .
Even we were a little late on Toll - 1/2 hour - but the snow was still decent.
And yes we locked up the bikes so those you have not figured it out yet didn't make off with them down the road.
Keep up the good work.

[Yossarian]

Thanks for the stories boyz. Nice recap of our day. That was us that got out in front of you yesterday morning on the bikes. But that didn't last long once we got on the boards as you flew by us going up the trail .
Even we were a little late on Toll - 1/2 hour - but the snow was still decent.
And yes we locked up the bikes so those you have not figured it out yet didn't make off with them down the road.
Keep up the good work.

Ha! There you are! Admit it, it was the "asshats and brown coils from on high" comment that drew you out on this one, right? I was just hoping to get a response - in all seriousness, it was good chatting with you, and next time you're headed out, give a shout out if you're looking for people to join in the fun! You guys were hauling ass on foot, I have to say I was feeling a little silly for not passing you faster while we were on skins! Good to meet ya, see ya out there.

[Hugh Jass]

Damn my ass is huge. I need to go on weight watchers or something.

You ain't seen nuthin, bitch. I'm surprised you don't a belt and suspenders for that stunted little thing.

Nice TR. Glad to hear it's still good.

[StillKickin]

Ha! There you are! Admit it, it was the "asshats and brown coils from on high" comment that drew you out on this one, right? I was just hoping to get a response - in all seriousness, it was good chatting with you, and next time you're headed out, give a shout out if you're looking for people to join in the fun! You guys were hauling ass on foot, I have to say I was feeling a little silly for not passing you faster while we were on skins! Good to meet ya, see ya out there.

The asshat comment had me rolling. Will definitely give you a holler. Not that I'd ever see you guys, except when you come sailing by me as I am still hiking up. Enjoy the weekend.

[Yossarian]

BUMP FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

GO GET IT KIDDIES, CORN SKIING RULEZ!

[Rockband]

Been thinking about getting at Crooked plus Toll soon, anyone got any beta?

Would it make sense to hit Toll earlier in the A.M. cause of the eastern exposure/sooner wet slides, or vice versa?

[drt]

Couple buddies and I did Crooked weekend before last and it was in great shape. I'd definitely do Toll earlier, it does get more sun and always seems to have more visible wet slides than Crooked...

[telechuck]

Anyone been up recently? Can you ride bikes up the road?

Thanks for the scoop.

[Alpine Dreams]

Thanks for the bump, it was good to see it again.

[wardog]

Yossarian, thanks for the great TR. Them photos is beauties.

[quienes?]

darn it I just noticed this was last year's post. Still a great read Cletus. thanks for reviving a near-hibernating ski stoke.

[jon turner]

But I can't get out of bed that early! I need a new game plan to start at 5:30 and not go messing up my bike. Lots of weight, incline, standing on the pedals and wrong gear = busted chain.

Getting out of bed wicked early sucks. I find sleeping in my car at the TH the night before helps. It is much easier to get moving when you slept in an uncomfortable place than when you are asleep in your bed. Many solo missions have been killed by waking up in my bed and not in my car or in the dirt...

Nice TR. Awesome ski and great read!

[jon turner]

Hah. I got fooled too. thought this was recent.

[CantDog]

Was iskibc riding a women's bike? Inquiring minds want to know.