Couloir Climbing - April end - Beginning of May

[ashish]

Any couloirs (less than 45 degree slope) to climb in the cascades around late April to mid May? I am not from northwest so any info will be really helpful in planning my trip.

 

Thanks,

 

Ash

[ajpederson]

I've done a few easier couloirs this winter that were pretty fun. I would guess they have a lot more snow in them now than when I did them.

 

Here are the trip reports:

 

Lane Peak - The Zipper

 

Guye Peak - South Gully

 

Lane Peak - Lovers Lane

 

 

[fredrogers]

SW Coulior SW Early Winter Spire

 

Mapleleaf Coulior on Copper Peak

 

Both in the N Cascades in or near the Liberty Bell group. Pending Hwy 20 opening of course.

[ashish]

Thanks! Any couloirs where I will not need ropes or where it does not involve technical rock climbing?

[SeanO]

What exactly is your objective in climbing a couloir, as opposed to any other mountain feature?

 

Most of the interesting places to climb a couloir in late April/early May will still have substantial snow in them, so you should bring crampons and an ice axe just in case. A couloir at 40-45 degrees might have a scary enough runout to justify protecting the climb.

 

It sounds like you might want more of a steep hike if you're not looking for the possibility of something technical. Couloirs are usually by definition at least a little technical and steep.

 

If the road is mostly accessible, you could have a good hike up to Colchuck Lake, then climb the col to the saddle between Colchuck and Dragontail. There's not really significant danger if you fall because the runout is relatively gradual. But you'd still need crampons and an axe.

Edited April 11, 2012 by Ferum

[ashish]

Sorry Ferum if I was not very clear. I am looking for snow climbs where I can practice the use of crampons and ice axes and if needed, may be some class 3 scrambling.