[TR] Dragontail-Colchuck col - colchuck glacier 11

[ryanl]

Trip: Dragontail-Colchuck col

 

Date: 11/17/2007

 

Trip Report:

Here's some info, as of saturday, that people might find useful:

 

-The chiwawa river road is closed 14 miles from trinity

-The road to stuart lake is open to the trail head.

-The trail to colchuck lake has light snow coverage.

-Skiable snow begins around 6000'

 

On saturday I went to ski Dumbell with my brother Mike and a friend Kevin. When we found the chiwawa river road gated we settled for colchuck lake. Probably a good thing as the weather was pretty bad for most of the day. Mike chose to call it a day at the lake, while Kevin and I huffed it up to the Dragontail-Colchuck Col. There is serious post-holing up thru the talus on the south side of the lake. (the trail to A.P. is still pretty barren.) I switched to skins around 6300'. It was snowing pretty steadily with little wind below 7500'. Above that it began to blow harshly. From the col I ski cut a slab with a 4" crown that carried quite a bit of snow several hundred feet down. it was obvious that the slab was a result of the windloading that had been taking place. The ski down was enjoyable shin deep powder to about 6000'. Then a hike out in the snow/rain had us back at the car by nightfall. Here are some pics:

 

 

North Buttress Couloir:

 

 

 

 

 

At the col, above the slab that I cut:

[jordansahls]

Wow, I attempted Maude last Saturday and Sunday and the road was still opened. There probably isn't enough snow to really warrant a closure yet, but thats the Forrest Service for you. Nice pics by the way, looks sweet.