skykilo Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 (edited) Climb: Mt Shuksan-Price Glacier Couloir Date of Climb: 5/13/2004 Trip Report: Ben Kaufman and I climbed and skied Price Glacier Couloir yesterday. It provides the easiest bergschrund bypass route for the Price Glacier. We found a nice icy debris gully that made for easy climbing in the steep couloir next to Nooksack Tower. We found small amounts of powder on the glacier . Northeasterly exposures had a bit more slush wallowing after early sun and maybe wind deposits during the last storm. When we skied around 1pm, we were quite pleased to find perfect conditions everywhere, ranging from shallow-enough-slush to corn to powder. No sideslipping necessary, and we were able to scope a nice route down the gut of the glacier that still allowed us to exit from the notch below Nooksack Tower. This was an amazing ski descent, better than I would have hoped. Here is a route photo, the purple line is what I think Ben Manfredi and I skied last year after much study from every angle, and the red route is yesterday's pleasant romp. Gear Notes: Crampons, one tool, skis... Approach Notes: I don't know if there is a log to cross the river right now. We didn't look. Who would want to avoid a refreshing wade through ice cold water? Edited May 14, 2004 by skykilo Quote
jonthomp Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Awesome endeavor! What a ski line. Sounds like conditions were pretty good? We are heading up to climb the N. Face tonight and tomorrow. Any conditions beta other than what you mentioned on the Price? Quote
AllYouCanEat Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 You need a job sky. And I mean a real job, where you have to stare out and see a nice day bloom and wither. Ha. Congrats, anyhow! Let's get on it next weekend. I really wanted to ski that with you all. Quote
skykilo Posted May 14, 2004 Author Posted May 14, 2004 I had drawn the couloir ski wrong, but it's fixed now. Jason, don't worry, I think I saw a few other lines up there, we'll do it again!!! Quote
JoshK Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 Damnit! I so wish I could have skipped that fucking test. GRRR..... Looks awesome...I wish you had waited until today. Quote
savaiusini Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 I second the notion: Sky needs a job! We can't hold that against him though to a job well done, Ben and Sky. Quote
pms Posted May 14, 2004 Posted May 14, 2004 If you're not skiing today, I brought those Buckner slides with me today, and am here until 7pm. Quote
Benk Posted May 15, 2004 Posted May 15, 2004 That ski was sweeter than a Krispy Kreeme donut. Great sking with you Sky. Here are a few choice pics from Price. Quote
Benk Posted May 15, 2004 Posted May 15, 2004 Dave this too could be you on your next trip to the Price. Turns on the glacier. Quote
savaiusini Posted May 15, 2004 Posted May 15, 2004 Nice shots, Ben. I especially like that 2nd one with the ice-cliff. Quote
Benk Posted May 15, 2004 Posted May 15, 2004 Thanks Sam ... i've got a couple of short >30 second videos shot from the digital camera of Sky making turns down the couloir. When i figure out how to get them on my webpage i'll throw the link up here. Quote
skykilo Posted May 15, 2004 Author Posted May 15, 2004 Check this out... I'm taking my photos to the one hour now! Quote
skykilo Posted May 15, 2004 Author Posted May 15, 2004 (I just made Ben's photos visible without the click click click.) Quote
skykilo Posted May 18, 2004 Author Posted May 18, 2004 Here's a cool view of Ben climbing the couloir: And how about a look at the route Ben Manfredi and I skied last year? Quote
Dr_Crash Posted May 19, 2004 Posted May 19, 2004 Very nice line! If you need company in another trip there, please please please consider me... drC - Ski often! Quote
skykilo Posted May 24, 2004 Author Posted May 24, 2004 So, I was very happy with the descent. But I wanted to ski it from the top of the North Shoulder. So I took Ross with me last Thursday and we hit the blue. I drew the Nooksack ski from April in green since I'm spraying graff all over the photo anyway. We were gonna ski the pyramid, the whole thing in one fell swoop, but the weather looked like it was gonna turn sour from the top of the North Shoulder. Of course, after only a few sprinkles above Price Lake, it was clear as we hiked the Nooksack Cirque Trail back to the car. That's all right, it gives me a reason to drag Fat Boy and Cool Guy up there next year. Quote
AllYouCanEat Posted May 24, 2004 Posted May 24, 2004 . We were gonna ski the pyramid, the whole thing in one fell swoop, but the weather looked like it was gonna turn sour from the top of the North Shoulder. Of course, after only a few sprinkles above Price Lake, it was clear as we hiked the Nooksack Cirque Trail back to the car. That's all right, it gives me a reason to drag Fat Boy and Cool Guy up there next year. Rawk on! When I go though, I want a yellow like. Can I. Can I. Quote
eternalX Posted June 15, 2004 Posted June 15, 2004 How long do you think this ski route will last for? i'd like to climb shuksan and board down. it's got to be melting out, yea? Quote
JoshK Posted June 17, 2004 Posted June 17, 2004 How long do you think this ski route will last for? i'd like to climb shuksan and board down. it's got to be melting out, yea? How good of a boarder are you? That's a commiting line. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some open cracks already. That glacier gets reeeally broken up later in the summer. Quote
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