Photo TR: Deep Powder and High Peaks 11.20-11.21.04

**iskibc** · 11-22-2004, 01:03 PM

11.20.04
PowPig, Cletus, iskibc & milli
Guanella Pass

While most of N. Colorado got skunked from the passing storm, we got lucky and found some deep goodness up near Guanella Pass. It was puking for most of the day and we ended up tacking on several miles of skinning and a couple thousand feet of vert in knee to thigh deep blower. Not bad at all since most of the other areas in the northern mountains got shafted.

powpig and milli:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0232.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0229.jpg

Cletus:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0227.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0235.jpg

Powpig:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...al_Cnv0237.jpg

11.21.04
James Peak 13,294'
Wahamma, iskibc, knuckledragger Dave

Sunday brought us bluebird and a fresh coat of snow across the Indian Peaks. With the hope that the front range peaks got some decent upslopes, we headed up to James Peak. We arrived at the trailhead to only 3" of new snow, but we thought there would be more up higher.

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...al_Cnv0080.jpg

A couple hours of skinning and 3,000 feet later we were at the top of James. The summit of this peak is one of my favorites in the front range because of it's vantage points:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...nv0085%7E0.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0084.jpg

The lines off James peak aren't that bad either:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...nv0086%7E0.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...nv0089%7E0.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...nv0088%7E0.jpg

**MOHSHSIHd** · 11-22-2004, 01:07 PM

is that eldo in the background?

**Cornholio** · 11-22-2004, 01:07 PM

Excellent! Did you hit that couloir?

**iskibc** · 11-22-2004, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Cornholio

Excellent! Did you hit that couloir?

I wish. It's actually a close-out line to a 100+ foot cliff. In the spring time it's possible to ski the top section and then do a roped traverse over into the shooting star couloir. Here's another shot of the couloir entrance:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...nv0090%7E0.jpg

**summit** · 11-22-2004, 01:19 PM

Sick!

Was that old Geneva Basin in the BK?

**Mountain Freak** · 11-22-2004, 01:24 PM

That's Winter Park in the background isn't it. James has to be one of my favorite peaks to ski/board down. I had a great time climbing it last weekend. Your pics are friggin awesome!

**summit** · 11-22-2004, 01:32 PM

I think he meant a different James Pk b/c he said Guanella Pass. Right?

**Pinner** · 11-22-2004, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Summit

I think he meant a different James Pk b/c he said Guanella Pass. Right?

He posted two trip reports.

**Yossarian** · 11-22-2004, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by Pinner

He posted two trip reports.

Bingo! Yahtzee!

**homerjay** · 11-22-2004, 03:46 PM

**Ireallyliketoski2** · 11-22-2004, 04:16 PM

so jealous, looks very nice.

**Kya** · 11-22-2004, 04:27 PM

I'd love to hook up with you guys the next time you go to Guenella. Technically i live only a few miles from there and spend a lot of days at the old Geneva Basin.

**cumerritt** · 11-22-2004, 06:00 PM

CO mags went out hard this weekend. Sick

**Mountain Junkie** · 11-22-2004, 06:09 PM

Guanella looks pretty nice. Is that the sound of my foot kicking my own ass? Yes, yes it is....

**marshalolson** · 11-22-2004, 07:54 PM

just curious where you parked to ski james?
it looks as though you skied the east shoulder, perhaps back down to st mary's? or is mammoth gulch still drivable past apex (and maybe parking near kingson mtn). we were thinking about doing starlight couloir next weekend if all goes well... so just wonderin if that seems possible.
either way, great pics...

**PowderPig** · 11-22-2004, 10:22 PM

**wahama88** · 11-22-2004, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by marshalolson

just curious where you parked to ski james?
it looks as though you skied the east shoulder, perhaps back down to st mary's? or is mammoth gulch still drivable past apex (and maybe parking near kingson mtn). we were thinking about doing starlight couloir next weekend if all goes well... so just wonderin if that seems possible.
either way, great pics...

We parked at the base to the trail up to St. Mary's Glacier and skinned up at the Lake, not too bad, pretty mellow ascent to the top of James

**PowderPig** · 11-22-2004, 10:23 PM

**telechuck** · 11-22-2004, 10:39 PM

Looks like a killer day.

Judging from PowderPig's condition Saturday night it was also a hard day. He was way tired when I talked to him and chose sleep over Berthoud at dawn. Even the much heralded B5 burritos couldn't give him the energy.

Excellent report and stoke!

**PowderPig** · 11-23-2004, 12:14 AM

The B5's rock, BTW!

**Yossarian** · 11-23-2004, 01:19 AM

thanks powpig! Great shots!!!

**freshie247** · 11-23-2004, 01:57 AM

Right Arm Dave,

Sweet TR.I've been working non stop to pay for my passes & gear,hopefully I'll have the decks cleared soon for adventures on the high seas!