14er Route Descriptions; Route Selection . The Colorado mountains offer some of the finest snow and alpine ice climbing in the US; from winter ridge routes, to couloir and gully climbs in the spring and summer, to the alpine ice routes which form each autumn. ratio to run course. Technical ascents of these high alpine routes often occur on rock, snow, and ice and make a great training ground for . Gerry Roach wasn't joking when he called Boudoir Couloir a classic among Colorado snow climbs. However, there are many more out there that don't get any attention. The climb starts with several short exposed traverses through rock bands before meeting the main couloir and finding the most direct line to the summit. This couloir is a great beginner snow climb and offers a fun ski descent. 1. While avalanche danger isn't completely gone, the warmer conditions and prolonged sun exposure in spring stabilizes snow fields, making them much less likely to slide. Estes Park. 6:1 max. It's steep, beautiful, and beckons to be climbed. Show: All Routes. The Pearl is a famous, aesthetic line in the area, and one of the classic descents of the Elks. Horseshoe Mountain is a peak that is ranked in the top 100 tallest peaks in Colorado at 13,898 feet, and it can be done in the summer but is arguably more fun in the spring as a snow climb. The climb starts with several short exposed traverses through rock bands before meeting the main couloir and finding the most direct line to the summit. 6 comments. The Climb. This entry was posted on Sunday, June 15th, 2014 at 8:14 pm and is . 10. A moderate snow climb up a 13er with the possibility of skiing back down. After arriving at Emerald Lake, skirt . 8 hour public course (1-day) Price is per person. As always, this course can be scheduled any day of the week as private instruction . Climb into it as the angle increases. A classic Rocky Mountain couoir climb. It was on my list of desired snow climbs and I was happy Fred was there to join me. This route is probably the most challenging of the three, standing about 1,000 feet high and approaching 45 degrees at . The sources are Gerry Roach's 14ers and high 13ers and Indian Peaks guide books as well as a few other sources. And of the possible routes leading to its 13,745' summit, The Grand Couloir is perhaps one of Colorado's best known snow climbs. 14ers.com is the premier resource for climbing Colorado's 14ers (Fourteeners) and other high peaks. Start your day at the Bear Lake parking lot, and head out on the short 2-mile approach that winds uphill past Nymph and Dream Lake. It's in a unique setting, surrounded by Horseshoe Mountain's vertical cliffs. . . New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. James Dziezynski. Log In . Save Review Directions Add Photo. The route starts out as class 2+ climbing and as you ascend it passes through the class 3 grade to settle in comfortably at class 4. Mount meeker - 13,911' - Dreamweaver couloir class 5.4May 2012. . After getting into Denver at 1am, we were soon on the road through a dark and calm . *Pikes Peak Highway tollgate fee of $10-$15/person not included. For those with more climbing experience we have the ability to guide some of the most classic 14er routes in Colorado like The Ellingwood Arete on Crestone Needle, South Face of the Petit Grepon, or The Diamond on Long's Peak. The angle is about 45 degrees for nearly 1000 feet of climbing. Explore . Of course, I knew better than to take any climb of a Colorado 14er for granted, especially a snow climb, and even more so when it's the first climb of the season and I've spent most of the past month close to sea level. Steep snow gullies or couloirs often facilitate faster and more efficient travel in the mountains, but .
When viewed from the south, basically Monarch Pass or from the top of Monarch Ski Area, Mt. An initial 300 feet of rock climbing gets you all warmed up. Snow climb the couloir to the south ridge of Horseshoe's summit ridge.
It is also considered one of the better and easier to access back-country ski descents in the state. 13. A classic Rocky Mountain couoir climb. Note that the couloir is east facing so it will soften up early in the day. Here, 10 insider tips to get started Colorado couloir climbing. ratio. This route is well worth your time just to have the chance to traverse under the near-vertical walls of the cirque. 1. Advanced climbers might want to try the North Star Couloir on North Arapahoe Peak and complete an exhilarating class 4 traverse between the north and south peaks. Mid- to late spring is prime time for Colorado's snowy couloirs ("couloir" is a term of French origin that refers to the deep, often steep gullies that cut into a mountain). An inviting line on the Goatfinger Couloir on Mount Edwards. The climbing is fun, interesting, and a great introduction to RMNP's moderate alpine challenges. All systems were go for a push on Monday, April 12. The line that we decided to try was the Pearl Couloir, dropping off the summit block of Cathedral Peak, sitting at 13,943. This is a list of couloir and other snow climbs within an hour or two drive of Denver. All 13 photos. Pick a good place to start. Overview Skiing Boudoir The Boudoir Couloir is the wide, shallow couloir that is the only obvious exit from the famous cirque on Horseshoe Mountain. One of the best books for snow climbs is Dave Cooper's Colorado Snow Climbs . You can also climb "Castleabra," one of Colorado's 200 highest peaks. Easy to knock out in a couple hours in the morning if you're in shape. Quandary Peak. Gerry Roach wasn't joking when he called Boudoir Couloir a classic among Colorado snow climbs. Easy to knock out in a couple hours in the morning if you're in shape. 14ers; 360 Summit Panoramas; Peak-to-Peak Mileage Chart; 13ers; 360 Summit Panoramas; Map; Export Peak Names to File; Routes. With a short approach, the Y-Couloir is the classic ski line on Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, with just over 1,300 feet of descent, and a fun climb up as it is a ski down. Some peaks are lined with sheer vertical streaks, capped off with precarious cornices that loom like an alpine sword . It's in a unique setting, surrounded by Horseshoe Mountain's vertical cliffs. hide. ratio. Doing it right will improve your decision-making and help keep you safer in the process. *Pikes Peak Highway tollgate fee of $10-$15/person not included. 12 votes, 10 comments. Doing it right will improve your decision-making and help keep you safer in the process. James Dziezynski. With a short approach, the Y-Couloir is the classic ski line on Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, with just over 1,300 feet of descent, and a fun climb up as it is a ski down. Call 719-368-9524 or contact us to book this course for one or more climbers. Meeker. About the Table I've organized the table by access point and roughly north to south. Mid- to late spring is prime time for Colorado's snowy couloirs ("couloir" is a term of French origin that refers to the deep, often steep gullies that cut into a mountain). Estes Park, Colorado. On Father's Day, Fred and I set off to climb the Hopeful Couloir on Mt. Take a class on snow climbing. It doesn't take much to learn the basics of an ice axe, crampon travel, self-arresting, and snow hazard analysis. Description. Couloir Climbing Course, May 21 (Saturday) Spring and summer (yes, after June 21!) "The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid." The sources are Gerry Roach's 14ers and high 13ers and Indian Peaks guide . CO, Hopeful Couloir, Mountaineering, Mt. Queen's Way on Apache Peak can The rock fall and avalanche were. Description. in the Rockies is couloir climbing season. In theory Cristo Couloir is only a mile long hike from the base at Blue Lake Dam to the top of 14, 265 ft. Snow climbing season is upon us and there is a lot of talk on SummitPost about a small number of popular routes.
. Aetna and the Grand Couloir almost dominates the skyline with it's impresssive South Face. Formed in 2000 by Colorado resident Bill Middlebrook. Short approach and fun steep snow climbing (1500 ft). However, any substantive deviation from the course of least resistance will land you in solid class 5+ territory, if in fact, some of what we treated as class 4 is not really 5.low turf. An avalanche at Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park killed one person on Sunday morning and injured two others near the Dreamweaver Couloir on Mt. 86% Upvoted. The Y couloir branches to the west (climber's right) off of the main line, about 1/3 mile up. Easy to knock out in a couple hours in the morning if you're in shape. Snow Climb If you're just snow climbing . How do Colorado's Front Range alpine snow climbs get named? Consider purchasing a snow axe that is burly enough to really grip in a pinch. Climbing Colorado's couloirs. Mountain Project's determination of the most popular, highly-rated routes. What kind of gear would be best, What kind of ice axe A Great Couloir Climb Cristo Couloir Quandary Peak 14,265' June 11, 2011 Jerry and Richard It was 1130 pm on Friday night when I hit the road to Denver to meet up with Richard for this summer snow climb to the top of one of Colorado's most popular 14er hikes. Hope. Fantastically consistent, the couloir maintains a 45- to 50-degree angle for approximately 1,200 feet. A moderate snow climb up a 13er with the possibility of skiing back down. report. .
I had just got back from Chile and was excited to be home. Quandary Peak (14,265' or 4347 m) Quandary Couloir (class 4, steep snow)- This couloir is on Quandary's northern side and provides an excellent and exciting route when in good conditions that is a stark contrast to the standard East Slopes route that is known for being easy. From the town of Fairplay: Drive south from the junction of CO 9 and U.S. 285 for one mile to Park County road 18. Simply walk to the top. After arriving at Emerald Lake, skirt . In early May I had some time off work so I went back down to Colorado to visit with friends in Golden and try for some climbing. A climber nearing the end of the Dead Dog Couloir on Torreys Peak. Couloirs constitute the artistry of the hills, carving out massive grooves that often define the character of a mountain. For rock climbs the first ascenders have the honor of naming the route and these are duly entered in the guidebooks. Start your day at the Bear Lake parking lot, and head out on the short 2-mile approach that winds uphill past Nymph and Dream Lake. . 8 hour public course (1-day) Price is per person. The technical climbing starts with low angle snow climbing for 600 feet up the lower apron of the couloir. Call 719-368-9524 or contact us to book this course for one or more climbers. Short approach and fun steep snow climbing (1500 ft). Cristo couloir is normally climbed in spring - early summer when the snow pack has consolidated into a stable mass, and the avalanche danger is low. As you get to about 12,000 feet the mountain and couloir should come into . Drive west on County Road 18 for ten miles until reaching Leavick ghost town at 11,240 ft. . Hope, Quail Mountain, Sawatch Range, Snow Climbing, Tricentennial. The left arm of the Y immediately climbs a rock step that can vary from moderate 4th class to technical 5th class, depending on snow depth. Take a class on snow climbing. Peaks. Nearby trailheads are grouped under the same heading. save. ratio to run course. As always, this course can be scheduled any day of the week as private instruction . Short approach and fun steep snow climbing (1500 ft). You soon come to two branches that give this line its name. WI4 150 . 6:1 max. The Skywalker Couloir is a classic Colorado snow climb for a reason. 2:1 min. The Notch Couloir: CO Ice & Mixed > RMNP - Mixed/Ice > Long's Peak/Mt Meeker . . Explore . I met with Sam in Boulder where we agreed to climb the Dreamweaver Couloir. Dragon's Tail Couloir Climb. This thread is archived. James Dziezynski. Horseshoe Mountain is a peak that is ranked in the top 100 tallest peaks in Colorado at 13,898 feet, and it can be done in the summer but is arguably more fun in the spring as a snow climb. Description. All Routes Trad Sport Boulder Ice / Mixed. . This is a list of couloir and other snow climbs within an hour or two drive of Denver. We can get into steeper terrain and work on techniques to improve safety and efficiency in this more vertical domain. Colorado. The crux of the route is found about half way up the narrow channel with a possible short pitch of ice and/or mix rock climbing. Classic Climbs for Colorado. 2:1 min. A climber nearing the end of the Dead Dog Couloir on Torreys Peak. The views from the high, rounded summit are stunning. Not to sound like a crummy commercial, but solid knowledge is a critical part of snow climbing. By definition, a couloir is a steep gorge cut into the side of a mountain. The Best Colorado 14ers You've Got to Summit; Colorado's World-Class Rock Climbing Areas; Incredible 13ers Near Denver for Your Summit List I may be going doing some couloir climbing in Colorado this spring. The "Boudoir Couloir" climbs almost 1,000 feet from the center of the cirque to reach the summit ridge 300 yards southeast of the summit, at an elevation of 13,890 feet. named couloir has three different exit options and tops out on the 13,397-foot summit of South Arapahoe.
Sort by. The lower couloir from the bottom. While avalanche danger isn't completely gone, the warmer conditions and prolonged sun .
Guidebook: A Climber's Guide to the Teton Range, by Leigh N. Ortenburger and Reynold G. Jackson ($40) Season: Late spring through midsummer. Rated 5.0 /5 based on 1 reviews 5.0/5 based on 1 reviews Save. Here, 10 insider tips to get started Colorado couloir climbing. The climbs are organized by season and then technical difficulty and commitment and go from routes requiring little more than an . View all 13 photos. Mid- to late spring is prime time for Colorado's snowy couloirs ("couloir" is a term of French origin that refers to the deep, often steep gullies that cut into a mountain). As you get to about 12,000 feet the mountain and couloir should come into . While avalanche danger isn't completely gone, the warmer conditions and prolonged sun . Prime time for many couloir climbs is spring and summer, when the snow is consolidated and blue skies, stellar views, and warm temps abound. Not to sound like a crummy commercial, but solid knowledge is a critical part of snow climbing. Before starting make sure . share. How many of you have done a couloir climb before and what would you recommend as a first couloir climb for beginners? The views from the high, rounded summit are stunning. Additional Climbing Resources for Colorado.