first ski descent [TR] Dragontail - TC ski descent 4/4/2006

[still_climbin]

[pms]

Would you do it again?

[goatboy]

You guys are getting all bummed out about nothing. The couliors have never been the "challenge" of climbing UP TCs. It's the runnels. The ski descent is an entirely different beast. You are there for the couliors (tedious when climbed, IMHO) and not the runnels.

 

Good points, and I agree. Just to be clear, I'm not bummed out about anything -- I'm impressed and inspired. And self-deprecating sometimes. But not bummed out!

[Weekend_Climberz]

That's truly amazing!!

 

I'm going to go down and tell the FA of that thing that it was skied yesterday and see what he has to say.

 

F'n sweet.

[chesterboo]

Amazing work!!!

[Squid]

holy shit!

[AllYouCanEat]

Good stuff Ross. I know that you had tried that several times. Ha. I hate when that happens, but anything that comes too easy just ain't right. It makes me feel dirty. I need to try at least 3 times beforehand. By then I'm a bonified whore and it ain't so bad.

 

On that note, way to ride 'er all the way down.

[TeleRoss]

I don't know if I would say "several".

Let's see.....

Climbed it with skis two years ago, didn't go there last year. And this was the third trip this year....HAHAHAHA

I guess that's on the border line beteween a few and several.

[Blake]

I think Ross, Sky, the Hummels et al are just super good, super motivated, have the right free time, and enjoy Scurlock's motivators.

[Marko]

Very friggin' cool.

[stillcrankin]

Holy sheep-shit batman!!! That's f###ing unbelievable!!

[Pandora]

It's high time someone founded the TeleRoss and skykilo fan club. I want buttons that say "Sky skied your favorite ice climb!" and full-sized posters of this:

 

[Doug_Hutchinson]

Fucking triple badass! In a climbing world where "style" is becoming a somewhat overused term, TC skied solo, freeheel, in-a-day, night-naked, with no pre-inspection is pretty freakin' proud style - nice work.

 

There have been a number of impressive lines skied this year, posing a question. So are skiers just getting bolder, the equipment getting better, combo of both?

 

I have noticed that as well. I think the answer is that NW skiers are getting bolder - only about 20 years behind dem Euros now. In addition, this year has simply been unreal for skiing. Lots of quality snow with lots of high pressure in between with low freezing levels equals amazing conditions. Climbs that felt difficult a few years ago, skied easily to me this year, but it all came down to the fantastic snow since I aint got no betta at skiing in years.

[ryanl]

While everything about your trip is impressive, most so for me is that you motivated to leave seattle at 11:30 at night. I sometimes have trouble staying awake driving home after work to north seattle, let alone to Leavenworth in the middle of the night. Did you sleep before making the return trip to Seattle? Seriously, the way you (and Sky) manage 24 hours is truly amazing.

[lancegranite]

So is this like when a aid climb get free climbed?

[kenp]

I lost a rucksac on the second Couloir in a rock fall accident, you didn't happen to see it? probably not, it was back in '74 but I keep dreaming of getting it back.

 

very nice work, congrats!

[ashw_justin]

There have been a number of impressive lines skied this year, posing a question. So are skiers just getting bolder, the equipment getting better, combo of both?

 

Cleary there was a dirty little secret that all the best alpine ice climbs are coincident extremo powder runs. I guess this means that all your posthole are belong to them now.

[DirtyHarry]

I think the answer is that NW skiers are getting bolder - only about 20 years behind dem Euros now.

 

And about 10 km of vertical brush thrashing

[skykilo]

Nice work Bro. Those couloirs look sweet in your pictures! Glad you got that out of your system. Your plan had me a bit stymied though; I'd much rather climb it to know the conditions, especially since I've never climbed it to know what to expect in the first place.

 

I don't think it's really fair to compare the Cascades to the Alps. I haven't skied in the Alps, so maybe I'm talking from my ass. But I don't think anything compares to vertical bushwhacking with skis on your back.

[RogerJ]

Pretty awesome and inspiring.

 

-r

[gyselinck]

If I raped the n. ridge of Stuart with skiies on would that be considered a ski descent too?

[DirtyHarry]

If I raped the n. ridge of Stuart with skiies on would that be considered a ski descent too?

 

I don't know. But if you got raped with skis on, it would be considered funny.

[skykilo]

I don't know if I would say "several".

Let's see.....

Climbed it with skis two years ago, didn't go there last year. And this was the third trip this year....HAHAHAHA

I guess that's on the border line beteween a few and several.

 

What about when Jason hurt his knee? Hmm? Make that five at least.

 

Jizzelink: I'd be impressed as hell if you rapped the North Ridge of Stuey, just because of the amount of gear you'd hafta haul to make the anchors. Sounds like a challenge. On the other hand, that's a lotta garbage to leave in the hillz. DirtyHarry prolly wouldn't mind cleaning your mess though.

[thelawgoddess]

nice work, teleross. my boyfriend is a bit bummed, though. i'm sure there are at least a small handful of people who've had their eyes on that one!

[LeatherBob]

Maybe your bf can eliminate the raps! I'm not really expecting a second descent (even with the raps) anytime soon. Prove me wrong. Josh K says it aint that bad....