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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Land of the 14ers (5,623 ft.)
    Posts
    550

    Grays Peak: Lost Rat Couloir TR


    Last year I climbed this couloir and couldn't wait to come back to ride it down. Mike and I left Morrison at 4:45 a.m. and were able to drive within a quarter mile of Stevens Gulch TR. We boot packed it for the first 1/2 mile or so, and then put on the skins and skied up most of the way to the ridge.

    With all the recent avys going down we were sure to be very careful examining the snow, and chosing this North facing couloir. We took a break at about 12,200 ft, where the Colorado Death Squad A.K.A The Colorado Mountain Club, came up to us. I over heard one guy ask the trip leader, "is there any avy danger here?" Trip leader replies, "No, we won't be in any avalanche terrain." Immediately after he said that the whole group of 7 crosses a 35 degree slope together

    We reached the top of the ridge around 9:00 and checked out the snow.

    Mike with Torreys


    Myself Hiking up


    The snow was quite hard up top and we spoke with 2 guys that just climbed it. they said the snow was softening up lower, but still hard in the upper portions. We waited about 10-15 minutes for the snow to soften, but some clouds and wind kept the snow firmer than usual for this time of day... which was not a bad thing.

    Mike on top of the couloir


    5... 4... 3... 2... FUN!


    Mike Tele skied down and I rode down the spliter.

    Mike



    Me



    A look back


    After the initial ride down of about 50-80 feet the snow softened up nicely and we were able to rip down the rest of the way. This was some of the best snow I've boaded down in a while... Timing is everything with this spring snow.

    Mike playing the pointing game


    And we were able to ski/ride all the way back to the trailhead.
    Last edited by Mountain Freak; 05-23-2005 at 09:19 AM.
    Living the good life.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Alco-Hall of Fame
    Posts
    2,997
    NICE

    87654321
    "It is not the result that counts! It is not the result but the spirit! Not what - but how. Not what has been attained - but at what price.
    - A. Solzhenitsyn

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Was UT, AK, now MT
    Posts
    13,499
    I love shots like this. The 'couloir contemplation'.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Gaia
    Posts
    1,046
    Very nice MFreak, real nice

    78910


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Land of the 14ers (5,623 ft.)
    Posts
    550
    Thanks man,

    We have to go out and ski some stuff soon!
    Living the good life.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    P-tex, CA
    Posts
    8,660
    FKNA, a wicked couloir....!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    the backcountry
    Posts
    3,500
    Right on Mountain Freak!

    Sweet line!!!
    so many mountains...so little time

    www.splitboard.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    The Ranch
    Posts
    3,792
    Nice work, early start, climb what you're going to ski, well done. How did that chute, that forms the right hand side of the Y look? I've looked down that one before and it looks like a fine gnar schralping opportunity.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Land of the 14ers (5,623 ft.)
    Posts
    550
    It was in great shape, definately skiable.
    Living the good life.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Alco-Hall of Fame
    Posts
    2,997
    Just in case anyone wanted to plan a little spring skiing session, I thought I'd bump up some information on nailing the "lost rat" couloir.
    "It is not the result that counts! It is not the result but the spirit! Not what - but how. Not what has been attained - but at what price.
    - A. Solzhenitsyn

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Where the Butte is Crested
    Posts
    3,338
    Nice line!
    -
    14erskiers.com

    "Don't be afraid of the spaces between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so." - Belva Davis

    "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle"--Albert Einstein

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    606
    How was the access road to the trailhead? Could you drive it all the way up?

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    7,221
    bumping for ski stoke

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