pms Posted December 6, 2000 Posted December 6, 2000 Dragontail, Triple Couloirs. I wanted to write something for this database, which would emphasize how conditions can affect the difficulty of some climbs. The first time I climbed this route conditions were ideal, and our time from Lake to summit was about 4 hours. Approx. 1 hour for the first couloir. Another hour for the connection into the second couloir, involved setting a few belays, and a short but relatively well-protected rock traverse into the second couloir. An hour for the second couloir, and an hour for the third. The connection between the second and third was thickly iced, straightforward, and really fun. A good time for our party of two, but slow compared to the 3 hours taken by the first ascent party of three in 1974. It’s also worth noting that we spent a day lounging at the lake, when the snow didn’t freeze overnight. Surprisingly, after a very warm day at the lake, the snow froze hard the following night. If you had asked us about the difficulty of the Triple Couloirs route then, we would have said it was easy. The second time conditions were also good, and we were able to climb directly into the second couloir on moderately steep ice, with a rock move or two. This direct variation does not always ice up, but was a real treat in the conditions we found it. The third time we climbed quickly to the top of the first couloir (aka Hidden Couloir) missing the traverse into the second couloir. Realizing our mistake, we should have descended back to the correct route but didn’t. Instead we continued up, and encountered harder climbing than we wanted on the snow covered Fin, arriving on the summit just before dark. The fourth time, the weather forecast was favorable, and the sky cloudless. The first couloir again was straight forward, and we chose the standard route into the second couloir. By the time we were established in the second couloir, the wind had picked up and powder snow was beginning to blow around. The wind blew the snow up the couloir into our faces, and during lulls the spindrift came from above. The spindrift was unpleasant, but didn’t really impede us until we reached the top of the second couloir. The sky was still clear, but the winds and spindrift increased as we continued up throughout the day. We had a really difficult time gaining the third couloir. There just didn’t seem to be any ice covering the rock this time. The volume of spindrift was really a problem too. Crampons scraping on rock, very poor pro, and I was unable to communicate with my partner Brian Nelson (no relation). My worst spindrift experience in 30 years of climbing. The third couloir was again straight forward step kicking, though cold and unpleasant with the wind and blowing snow. We reached the summit a little before dark, dehydrated and began the descent immediately. We were out of the strong winds for a while on the other side of the mountain. As we neared Asgard Pass the winds increased, until we were unable to stand up. We began to crawl, and fortunately had stayed roped together. With the blowing snow, and now darkness we became completely disoriented for maybe 15 or 20 minutes. Without a compass, we could not be sure which direction to crawl. Eventually we realized we were crawling down hill, and knew that must be the way towards Colchuck Lake. As we descended the wind decreased, and we made the lake and our camp shortly after. We were pretty dehydrated, and I consider it my closest call in the mountains. The skies stayed clear, and the following morning was calm and lovely. All 4 of these climbs were made at approximately the same time of year (April-May) over a 10 year period. Jim Nelson 2 Quote
Chad_A Posted January 18, 2006 Posted January 18, 2006 Wow! The power of the search engine. Great read. Can't believe no one ever responded to this one; glad to be the first. Quote
Alpinfox Posted January 18, 2006 Posted January 18, 2006 Nice find and way to scoop Dru on a quality thread revival. Now why were you up at 4AM? Quote
TeleRoss Posted January 18, 2006 Posted January 18, 2006 That rock step to gain the third couloir is spicy when it's bare. We did kindof a little drytooling traverse type thing up in there when we climbed it two years ago. It would be cool to see that step covered....although for other reasons. Quote
Cobra_Commander Posted January 18, 2006 Posted January 18, 2006 are you afraid of a little airtime dr. huckstable? Quote
Chad_A Posted January 18, 2006 Posted January 18, 2006 Nice find and way to scoop Dru on a quality thread revival. Now why were you up at 4AM? haha, well, I wish it were for more glamourous reasons, but I was on call; couldn't sleep. Or, it could've been because I was on my 11th cup of coffee, and the search engine actually sounded like a good idea. Quote
Weekend_Climberz Posted February 23, 2006 Posted February 23, 2006 Geez, how did I miss this one! I work with the first ascensionist and he is a great resource for some of the history of the routes in the area. Quote
NYC007 Posted January 26, 2007 Posted January 26, 2007 always a good BUMP, since people are asking or will start Quote
DPS Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 I work with the first ascensionist and he is a great resource for some of the history of the routes in the area. Would that be Dave Seaman? Quote
catbirdseat Posted January 27, 2007 Posted January 27, 2007 Wow! The power of the search engine. Great read. Can't believe no one ever responded to this one; glad to be the first. Best thread revival of the year! Quote
Weekend_Climberz Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Would that be Dave Seaman? Without the "a", though. Not that I want Dru making jokes about his favorite drink. Quote
Dr_Flush_Amazing Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 ... Not that I want Dru making jokes about his favorite drink. HO!!!!! The longhair comes through with a ZINGER! Quote
DPS Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Would that be Dave Seaman? Without the "a", though. Not that I want Dru making jokes about his favorite drink. I colleague of mine climbs and skis with Dave. Quote
pms Posted March 10, 2007 Author Posted March 10, 2007 It sounds like there is a little moisture headed our way. Could it be the start of the official Triple Couloir season? Quote
pms Posted March 10, 2007 Author Posted March 10, 2007 oh yea I forgot about that. Totally diminishes my chest beating about this once classic climb now ski run. I'm taking it off my list. piece of crap climb anyway.... Quote
webnick2007 Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 What is the scoop on protecting the rock? Nelson mentions a 5.8 down climb into the second col. So there's more rock entering the third. Are they cracks that fill and freeze or can you find protection on the sides of the snow? Thanks a good read and trip report. (I think those are band aids on the icon) Quote
Chad_A Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 You can down climb it if you like, but when we were there last year, there were multiple anchors you could rap off of and just be done with it. It drops you right where you need to be, and then you're off and running again up to the second ice section. Quote
skykilo Posted March 14, 2007 Posted March 14, 2007 Nelson mentions a 5.8 down climb into the second col. Who is this Nelson, Willie Nelson? I wouldn't climb with that old hillbilly; he smokes too much weed. Ross, tell us about your 5.8 boofer between the top two cooleys. Quote
Weekend_Climberz Posted March 16, 2007 Posted March 16, 2007 Nelson mentions a 5.8 down climb into the second col. Who is this Nelson, Willie Nelson? I wouldn't climb with that old hillbilly; he smokes too much weed. He has PMS, too. Quote
pup_on_the_mountain Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 On Sunday (Apr 8). Four teams of two persons each were on the route (three of the teams doing it car-to-car). Coordinate well we did, and loads of fun we had . Quote
goatboy Posted April 10, 2007 Posted April 10, 2007 Hey Pup! How about a more complete TR with some more photos sometime? Thanks, Goat Quote
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