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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    6,866

    Thumbs up TR: Feeling the Sickness on the Spire Couloir | RMNP, CO | 3 March 2013

    This past Sunday, I joined Carl (frontrangedrummer) and my buddy Zach for a tour in RMNP, a favorite playground for us and a place I haven't been to since early January. We heard reports of good snow inside DT on Saturday so we figured hitting up the Spire off Notchtop would be a solid gamble. Then the weather reports said 10-20mph. Okay ... we can deal with that. But as we often forget along the Front Range, certain spots you just have to double that. So most of the day we got slammed with gusts over 40 and a barrage of wind drifts that made the day all the more entertaining. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.




    View as we enter the park





    Notchtop Mountain with the beautiful east face showing its radness







    Zach eying a thin, but skinny Ptarmigan Finger begging for slayage with Carl climbing close behind







    More deliciousness off in the distance





    Now the fun can begin

















    View down below from mid-way up





    Now back to getting our heart rates up







    View down below






    Ski time!






















    Not over yet









    Out, safe and sound


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    8,426
    well played!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    tourin BC
    Posts
    2,773
    could you find a more challanging line ???
    We, the RATBAGGERS, formally axcept our duty is to trigger avalaches on all skiers ...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Estes Park
    Posts
    834
    Way to get after it with the low snow conditions! Crazy to see all rocks coming out of the apron. Been one of the worst years for coverage and good to see somebody still getting some!! Get a peek at Notchtop Couloir?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    crown of the continent
    Posts
    13,947
    geez, usually you try to find something steep...

    Something about the wrinkle in your forehead tells me there's a fit about to get thrown
    And I never hear a single word you say when you tell me not to have my fun
    It's the same old shit that I ain't gonna take off anyone.
    and I never had a shortage of people tryin' to warn me about the dangers I pose to myself.

    Patterson Hood of the DBT's

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    There's No 666 in Outer Space
    Posts
    666
    Great TR! What makes it even more impressive is that your partner appears to have done this on Hellbents. I'm tired just thinking about it.

    Thanks for sharing.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Ventura Highway in the Sunshine
    Posts
    22,431
    The climb looked just as ballsy as the descent... Well played.

    I agree it is a constitutional right for Americans to be assholes...its just too bad that so many take the opportunity...
    iscariot

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Three-O-Three
    Posts
    15,439

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    tahoe
    Posts
    3,428
    the dreaded kneewalk booter!!! thanx

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    6,866
    Quote Originally Posted by rmnpsplitter View Post
    Get a peek at Notchtop Couloir?
    Didn't get a look at Notchtop Coolie ... spin drifts made it near impossible to see most of the time. If you head back there, some of the Ptarmigan Fingers look FAT! Definitely check those out.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    P-tex, CA
    Posts
    8,663

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    On the back of the worm
    Posts
    701
    Ca Caw! Sickbird!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Estes Park
    Posts
    834
    Quote Originally Posted by PappaG View Post
    Didn't get a look at Notchtop Coolie ... spin drifts made it near impossible to see most of the time. If you head back there, some of the Ptarmigan Fingers look FAT! Definitely check those out.
    Right on. Been basically riding around the terrain park this year. Haven't ventured anywhere north of Emerald Lake mainly because Flattop has been bare as shit all year. DT and DE some of the worst coverage I can remember. Even the banana bowls haven't really filled yet. This weekend could do wonders for us if the forecast verifies. Good shit though for you guys making the most of it! Way more ambitious than I've been this year. I remember seeing your shots from this route a few years back. Prob easier run out with less downclimbing that time. Who wants to ski to the bottom anyways am I right?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    6,866
    Same line on April 2, 2011 (still had to downclimb, but it was MUCH easier):





  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    264
    Inspiring!

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    91
    boney, well played!

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the swamp
    Posts
    11,164
    Sick man

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    ColoRADo
    Posts
    5,946
    Wow...props to you guys, seriously.
    You should have been here yesterday!

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Berkeley, California
    Posts
    79
    Woah that is a STOUT line, way to go!

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    The Ranch
    Posts
    3,792
    way to work it to the bone dudes

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    N side, Terrace, BC
    Posts
    5,193
    Sick, burly, ridiculous, ballsy, rad, fuck.
    That is all.
    “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different.”
    ― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country

    www.mymountaincoop.ca

    This is OUR mountain - come join us!

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    new JERSEY
    Posts
    2,595
    Awesome! I was in RMNP for an AIARE course in January and there wasn't nearly that amount of snow. Way to get after it! That is a wicked line!

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    denver
    Posts
    1,863
    nicely done
    I can't believe you are a rando racer because I look so much better in Lycra than you.

    People who don't think the Earth is flat haven't skied Vail.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Midgaard
    Posts
    2,885
    Nice, Tom. Glad you found some!

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    On your tic list
    Posts
    351
    Way to get it done. I have a soft spot in my heart for this one. Great pics, fo sho.

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