wbk Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 Trip: Alpine Lakes - Dragontail - Triple Couloirs Date: 1/27/2011 Trip Report: Tim (therunningdog) and I headed up to Colchuck Lake to climb Triple Couloirs. We left Wed (1/12) with a camp near the lake. There were broken spots in the lake where we could get water which saved on fuel and time (no melting snow). Though a car to car ascent was briefly considered, we quickly opted for the option to carry heavy packs and spend that quality some tent time at the lake. Route was in fine condition and we made good time on the route, pitching out two short mixed steps. We bypassed the runnels and opted for the West Face variation due to incoming weather. Wind picked up as we were finishing the variation and getting into the third couloir. Summit was a good yell fest with blowing snow and wind! Sky opened from time to time to allow us to see the surroundings, but for the most part, it was classic winter conditions in the Cascades. Kept the crampons on for the steep descent down Asgard which was icy and fast. Got some great glimpses of Dragons of Eden on the way down. Impressive! We left skies at home which was just as well. Snowpack is low, no snow on the lake and who’d want to miss out on all that world-class postholing!! A welcome shit eating grin Heading out on the West Face variation Between the second and third couloirs Near the summit Crossing the icy lake (crampons advised) Gear Notes: we placed two screws, a picket and a bit rock pro at the steps. Approach Notes: postholing mania! Quote
genepires Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 nice. would snowshoes be useful or not worth the weight for amount of postholing done? your first photo is very good. Looks like you got a little troll on your shoulder. Quote
wbk Posted January 31, 2011 Author Posted January 31, 2011 i am a big snowshoe hater (even though i own some). it would help with the postholing from the stuart lake cutoff up to the lake but the extra weight would be not be nice for the fast road and lower trail hike. sixes if you ask me. depends how much you hate postholing. if we continue to get no snow and with more folks using the trail since, the snow highway will be nicely packed! Quote
Mjollnir Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 Hey, saw you guys as you got back to the car. Thanks again for the last minute beta. We had a great climb as well. To add a bit to your TR: We opted to do the runnels (we took the middle of what appeared to be three options) - they were in great shape. The slabs between the 2nd and 3rd couloirs was just a bit of steepish snow seperating the couloirs. That route is awesome right now! Quote
B Deleted_Beck Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 great pics... i so badly wish i was climbing shit right now. Quote
jordansahls Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) Did anyone get a look at the NE couloir on Dragontail during the descent? Edited February 17, 2011 by jordansahls Quote
genepires Posted February 17, 2011 Posted February 17, 2011 http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/500/medium/IMG_02211.JPG I think your couloir is in this photo from the NBC/CBR TR from the E WA forum. Quote
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