TR: Boomerang Couloir, Hagar Mountain 13,195’ 11.7.06
Mtnbikerskierchick, iskibc
7.5 miles, 3,100’ elevation gain
Trailhead: Dry Gulch
Hagar mountain sits on the continental divide just north of Loveland ski area and on the border of the Williams Fork mountains. Hagar offers some excellent ski descents off its E-SE face, as well as a fun class 3 ridge traverse over to Citadel. Throughout most of the winter the approach to
Hagar up is dangerous due to the several large slide paths that funnel down into Dry Gulch. Hagar and Citadel are famous for heavy wind loading as well, so a winter ski descent is not recommended. Most of these routes are best either during stable conditions or later on in the spring once the pack has settled.
The approach to Hagar is fairly straightforward and all the ski lines can be seen once you reach the upper bench of Dry Gulch. Most of the lines off Hagar are between 33-40 degrees in pitch and run for a good 1,200’+ of vert. Hagar can also be approached from the west side of the Eisenhower tunnel, but if you are looking to ski the E-SE face, then a climb back over the divide is mandatory. Setting up a car shuttle is also another option.
The day started off rather challenging, as the weather didn’t seem to be cooperating and visibility was horrible. We parked at the unofficial trailhead and wearily skinned up Dry Gulch with hopes of the weather breaking later on in the morning. The sun peaked out during sunrise for a couple of moments and then disappeared as freezing drizzle and high wind gusts took over.
We casually made our way up along the willow-infested creek bed and endured the nasty weather that was falling from the sky. Within minutes my outer layer was covered in ice from the freezing drizzle and the gusty winds became steadier. I summit attempt and ski descent wasn’t looking too promising. However, we decided to push along and see what the weather would do. A day spent in the mountains is always a good day, but with nasty weather like this, the ‘good’ part would be a challenge on this day.
Once we made it above tree line the weather got worse and the visibility was now zero. I used my GPS to navigate us over to the base of Hagar and Citadel.
Here's our view of looking up the mountain, or is it down? Or across?:
I knew we were getting close as the pitch began to increase and the dramatic cliffs rising up the east face of Hagar came into view. We were now at the point of ‘go’ or ‘no go’, and so we slowed down and accessed the situation. It was apparent the weather wasn’t going to lift and we were climbing blindly up into difficult and dangerous terrain. We decided it would be best to climb up the tighter couloir as it would be easier to see from the contrast of the dark rocks and cliff bands lining the couloir.
Greybird is soooo much fun:
I had skied the peak several years ago, but haven’t been back there since, so I had a hard time figuring out which line we were climbing up.
mbsc down there somewhere:
The snow pack underfoot was solid and tightly fused together, so at least we had one good thing going for us as we began our climb up the lower apron.
mbsc skinning:
We zigzagged up the lower part of the couloir until it got too steep to where it would be easier to boot pack. The fresh snow that had dropped the night before got deeper as we ascended higher and higher, but I was still confident with the stability of the pack. We made slow progress up the couloir as we were boot packing in heavy and wet knee-deep snow.
mbsc:
Tired of wading in the deep snow, I give the alternative a shot:
The last ¼ of the climb I saw what looked to be a blotch of blue sky hovering over the top of the ridge. Seconds later it disappeared and the thick clouds raced back over the top of the mountain. “What a tease”, I thought to myself. So, I put my head down and kept pushing further and higher up the couloir.
Looking down the line with a little bit of light peaking through the clouds:
As I reached the last 20’ or so of the climb the rapidly moving clouds overhead broke and the sun peered through the opening in the sky! It was at this moment that I saw some of the coolest and most dramatic views I’ve seen in a long time. The combination of the thick rime on everything, the mysterious looking fog racing around the mountain tops, and the beautiful peaks surrounding me, was like stepping into some sort of fantasy.
Looking over towards Citadel:
The scene was surreal, and even a couple dozen attempts at capturing it on camera couldn’t do it any justice. The storm was moving out and the sun was creeping in. It’s almost like everything fell into place. Our timing couldn’t have been any better.
More scenics:
Clouds hovering over the divide:
Another sweet looking line:
I sat on the summit block of Hagar and watched MBSC make her way up the final part of the couloir.
TR: Boomerang Couloir, Hagar Mountain 13,195' 11.7.06
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