The Big 4-0

Mark Holbrook tearing it up

Scott "Turbo" Stevens doing the avalanche test pit honors.
(Conditions were VERY favorable)

Fresh off the sled tow, skinning to the ridge on the right of frame.

Palisades Reservoir

Mark salivating before the initial drop-in.

My friends Scott and Mark took me to Sheep Cr. yesterday for my first time for some excellent backcountry skiing. I have recently converted to AT skiing and am loving it. I got rid of my splitboard last week and don't really miss it. Not to say that I no longer like snowboarding, it's just that everything is much easier on AT gear, thus more enjoyable.

Mark towed us in on his snowmachine, which eliminated about 4 miles of flat skinning. The weather was pretty damn nice, as the clouds would periodically lift, allowing for stunning views Palisades Resv. and of the surrounding peaks and terrain. The clouds kept the temps just right for climbing too. After about 2,200' of skinning uphill, it was time to savor the sweet rewards. Twice. The untracked thigh deep powder was that nice.

The ski out on the trail in the canyon bottom is pretty wild just on it's own…a helmet (for someone of my abilities) is not a bad idea. By the time we got back to the truck my quads were dead as well as the rest of my sickly body (re: flu!).

Last and not least: To the little critter that stole my lunch and 2 Nalgene bottles from beneath Mark's truck: I sure hope the grub goes a long way to keep you and yours well fed for a few weeks. I want my bottles back, though.

Oh, and it was my 40th birthday too.

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Super Gully Ski/Snowboard Descent

Link to higher-res video via YouTube

I finally got the opportunity yesterday to snowboard a line that's become somewhat of a classic descent line in the area – Super Gully on Lost River Peak (12,078') in the Lost River Range (home to Mt. Borah and other 12,000+' peaks).

Many moons ago Painter and I spent a summer peak bagging all the 12,000' peaks in Idaho. I clearly remember hiking/scree skiing down the Super Gully after a successful summit bid thinking how rad it would be to come back when there's snow on the peak and snowboard it.

This past winter's snow pack has been rather dismal, with an ever-present bottom layer of faceted snow local backcountry stashes have been rather bleak. I was still surprised at just how little snow there was on the mountain though. Fortunately, there was just enough to ski.

The trip was an "alpine start". Waking up at 3:00 a.m. to go skiing may seem just plain wrong to some but it's what's necessary to take advantage of firm snow to climb on before the sun softens it. Leaving the car at about 5:50 a.m. we found favorable climbing conditions that allowed us to summit at about 10 a.m. with plenty of time to rest and let the sun soften the snow for the ride down.

With a light haze filtering the sun we figured it wasn't going to soften much (unless we wanted to hang around until 3 p.m. or so). We were all chomping at the bit to ski so after about 45 minutes on top, we saddled up and hit it.

The upper-third of the peak was pretty damn hard riding due to concrete conditions and irregular formations on the snow surface. It made me a bit more comfortable riding with my axe. However, the lower two-thirds of the gully was great with a solid base and about 2-3 inches of light snow on top it allowed us to open 'er up and link turns.

Back to the car at 12:20 p.m. and then a pit stop in Mackay for some hard earned burgers and fries was the perfect way to end a classic day trip such as this. Thanks for the kick ass adventure amigos!

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Boy Scout Chute descent

Climbing the couloir.

Dean downclimbing the funk to gain access to the good stuff.

Yours truly descending into the misty chute.

Rick's view of the top of the couloir.

Rick and I climbing near the top of the chute.

Going up!



Video Summary (by Scott Stevens)


Wed. was spent with 3 of my friends who share the same passion of winter back country exploration. Our objective was what locals call Boy Scout Chute, or couloir, (fancy French name for a steep gully or chute) on Treasure Mtn in Teton Canyon that is becoming something of a classic intro into couloir ski descents.

At about 40˚+ the line isn't regarding as a bold descent, but it is just enough for this newbie ski/snowboard mountaineer to keep guard and execute good technique. If you fell and cartwheeled down, you wouldn't die (unless you really racked yourself against the sides of the couloir) but it would certainly hurt.

The approach was easily hastened by towing in on Rick's snowmachine (that was a first for me). We then skinned through the Treasure Mtn. Boy Scout camp to gain access to the lower flanks of the chute. Me, being the hopeful romantic of finding new places to rock climb, had to repeatedly close my gaping jaw as we skied past what looks like nice boulders tailored just for bouldering and 150' limestone cliffs with overhangs. SUMMER RECON!

We donned our skis (board) and started the arduous chore of boot packing straight up the couloir. The snow was actually in good shape for kicking steps and it didn't take us too long to top out. We did find that last 20' of the chute to have faceted snow buried beneath slab conditions though. We continued out past the chute and gained the ridge above in hopes of skiing some nice pow before reentry in to the top of the couloir on our descent.

Snow pits dug on the ridge revealed yellow-red avalanche conditions so we make the decision to call 8,400' our high point.

We enjoyed some awesome thick powder turns before reentry into the Boy Scout chute. We opted to dismount and downclimb through the top 20' of the couloir due to poor snow. However, once below that it was game on and one by one we jumped turned our way down the narrowness while trying to remember to breath! Couloir riding is tough! It was quite a workout trying to keep my edges in control and not lose it. I realized too that my splitboard is too long for such outings: Jump turning on a 171 with T2 tele boots is HARD! Or it's more than likely that my technique just sucks.

All went well through the coilour. Below it we were treated to some fun "pillow" skiing over boulders and then the towed back to the car.

While driving home I took time to reflect what I had learned and where it is that I decide to draw the line when it comes to back country skiing. I am not an adrenaline junkie (like some of my family think I am) but absolutely love self-powered outdoor pursuits that test myself physically and mentally. And on that note, Boy Scout chute delivered. What's next boys?

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