119 | 11 Miles of Failure

With recent warm temperatures along the Front Range in Colorado, Eric and I decided to make an attempt at skiing Dead Dog Couloir yesterday off Torreys Peak which sits at 14,267 feet. Once the summer arrives and the snow melts away, access to the summer trailhead is relatively easy and from here, it's about 3.5 miles to summit. Because it is neither summer yet nor has any of the snow melted, our trip began 3 miles further away and a stone's throw away from I-70.


Click here for the topo map with route.


(click image to view in larger size)


Because temperatures would be below freezing above 12,000 feet and with the bottom of the couloir situated at 13,000 feet, we got a late start without fear of having to rush against the clock and against any solar impact upon the snowpack. Along the ninety-minute hike from the interstate to the summer trailhead, we met two other skiers that ultimately wanted to ski the north chute off Kelso Mountain. But after digging a pit and assessing the rotten snow conditions at the exit of the chute around 11,000 feet, they decided to bail. Usually, this would be a clear sign to abort and head back home, but we would be 2,000 feet higher and the snowpack could very well be vastly different and more stable since it would have been less affected by a strong warming trend without much of an overnight freeze over the previous week.

Regardless, Eric and I continued through while snow kept falling down along the entire hike up. As we reached the start of the summer trailhead, weather appeared to be moving through from the west with whiteout conditions off in the distance. Visibility was less than a mile, and we were feeling less optimistic about reaching the summit. We discussed our options and even thought about skiing back down to the car, but with plenty time left in the day and nothing to lose in trying to reach our goal, we decided to keep trekking along.

Over the next 2.5 miles, Torreys made itself more pronounced as sparkles of sunlight illuminated the summit while peaking through the dark, ominous clouds. Hope and confidence was soon regained and three hours later, we found ourselves at a crossroad beneath the 1,200-foot couloir. Most of the overnight snow had slid off the chute leaving what we presumed to be a firm layer to tackle at 40-45 degrees. Even more disheartening, was that the bottom half looked pretty chunky from side to side which would have most likely made for a very unpleasant adventure. Then we received final assurance as to what appropriate action we should take once Eric dug a pit in the middle of the apron only to discover 4-5" of new snow on top of a thin crust layer on top of 10" of sugar powder.

Sure we got knocked around a few times on this trip, but that's all part of the game when skiing such high peaks in Colorado. It's usually quite the physical and mental mind game that tests your intestinal fortitude, drive, determination, and will to succeed. In the end, we didn't achieve our goal, but we got damn close enough to remember what it will one day taste like.


Below are a few pictures from the day.


Grays Peak


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Torreys Peak


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Dead Dog Couloir


(click image to view in larger size)