best couloir in north america?

**Core Shot** · 12-10-2005, 06:59 AM

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!!!

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

**Strider** · 12-10-2005, 10:10 AM

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.

**Trackhead** · 12-10-2005, 10:48 AM

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.

**Stealth Radness** · 12-10-2005, 11:51 AM

A couple more entries from the WA...

**nhtele** · 12-10-2005, 02:12 PM

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.

**nhtele** · 12-10-2005, 02:16 PM

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.

**gramps** · 12-10-2005, 03:56 PM

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

**Strider** · 12-10-2005, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by gramps

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

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

**higheddies** · 12-11-2005, 02:37 PM

NW on the pfeiff is a fun one

**Yeti** · 12-13-2005, 12:13 PM

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.

**Trackhead** · 12-13-2005, 12:25 PM

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.

**Trackhead** · 12-13-2005, 12:30 PM

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

**ski_faster** · 12-13-2005, 01:06 PM

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

**Yonder_River** · 12-13-2005, 01:18 PM

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.

**Arno** · 12-17-2005, 08:34 PM

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

**tywhy** · 12-18-2005, 12:41 AM

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

**wiunnbd** · 12-19-2005, 06:21 PM

someday....hopefully soon:

"SuperGully"

**powstash** · 12-19-2005, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Bullet

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

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.

**Yossarian** · 01-13-2006, 11:00 AM

so many good lines in this one.

**enlosandes** · 01-13-2006, 01:08 PM

Hey covert, where you take the picture of Labrinth from, top of Azufre?

**FrankZappa** · 04-20-2006, 10:28 AM

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

**boarderline** · 04-20-2006, 01:05 PM

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!