Snoopy's Shoulder Ski - 4.11.2010

Like most Colorado winters, winter 2009-2010 started out cold and dry. Early snow followed by two months of high pressure left basal facets that persisted all winter. Even by April, these buried facets were a factor in snow stability. This TR is a reflection on snow stability analysis and decision making.

In the spring of 2010, after several weeks of high pressure and warm temperatures, we were jonesing to get out for a tour. We set out from Loveland Ski Area's Dry Gulch backcountry gate, hoping that the prolonged period of calm had stabilized the snowpack.


We planned to traverse across upper Dry Gulch to the amphitheater between Hagar and Citadel, then ascend the mild southeast ridge of Citadel before descending its south bowl. Entering Dry Gulch, the views were incredible.

Citadel with Snoopy asleep on top:

Hagar:

Torreys and Grays:


Dry Gulch is big, here Ben is dwarfed by the fun north face of Golden Bear as we traverse towards Citadel.


Traversing from Loveland Basin to the Citadel-Hagar amphitheater took longer than expected; I think that accessing Dry Gulch from Loveland vs. I-70 is a draw. From the amphitheater we started gaining elevation. Nick:


We made quick work of the climb and an hour later we were beneath Citadel's rocky summit block. Jordan:


Looking south towards Hagar. Looks steep from here, doesn't it?


Knowing that a group of our friends would soon be catching us, we started our snow stability analysis of the south face. One step onto the face and I was immediately concerned - the snowpack appeared to be made entirely of facets. With a belay from Ben, I headed out to dig a pit, finding a snowpack consisting entirely of facets. I think these extensive facets were due to diurnal recrystallization. As the other group arrived, we decided the slope was unsafe.


At this point I didn't know what to do - the south face was a no go, and the north facing terrain harbored deep instabilities. The other group was led by a ski team coach who is a very loud, confident and dominant fellow. The coach suggested performing a cornice cut on the north facing terrain, which I helped with. None of the small cornice blocks produced any signs of instability as they rolled down the slope. In retrospect, I don't think they were large enough to test the slope. The coach loudly proclaimed that if there was a slide one should grab an exposed rock , or "ski like a bat out of hell". He decided that his group would be hiking a bit higher, then would descend the north facing terrain. We were left with a difficult situation: descend the mellow slope we had ascended or drop into the north facing bowl. And if we dropped, to go before the other group and avoid having them drop on top of us, or wait a prolonged period of time for them to hike higher, then drop after them. Feeling the pressure of the group dynamic, we decided to drop into the north facing terrain immediately.


Nothing moved as we skied consolidated powder down Citadel into Herman Gulch.


Looking back up the line, lookers left, from the bottom of Citadel's northeast amphitheater:


From Herman Gulch, a short skin brought us to the saddle back to Dry Gulch:


At the saddle we pulled off our skins and enjoyed 1500' of south facing corn to the floor of the gulch.


Ben:


Nick and Jordan:


Looking back on the line we skied on Citadel I still don't know if we made the safe choice.

What I do know:
1) There were deep instabilities, if we had triggered a slide it would have been huge.
2) On the steep, alpine terrain of Citadel there would have been no outrunning a slide.
3) Large groups inherently and significantly affect safe decision making.

Lessons learned:
1) Large groups produce the herding instinct - people feel safer in groups and are prone to making more dangerous decisions.
2) Don't let the loud member of the group drown out other people's opinions - so many factors (ego, shyness, competitiveness, etc) come into play in group settings. Its important for everyone to go out of their  way to communicate with each member of the group; drawing on everyone's experience and knowledge.
3) Going home the way you came is always better than not going home at all.

The route:

Hagar & Citadel Ski - 5.2.2012

Despite spending almost every free day during my six years of college at Loveland Ski area, I've never skied Hagar or Citadel proper, which are the two most prominent Loveland side country lines. Needless to say, the opportunity to ski these two peaks with Ethan, who had just returned from 15 months in Africa, had me stoked. I was so excited that I got to the Dry Gulch trail head in time for a nap! That never happens!

The first mile of the approach was completely bare, allowing us to make quick time in our running shoes.

Eventually there was too much snow to keep walking...

So, we started skinning...

After an interesting mile of skinning over logs, around dirt, through willows, and over moving water, we came to the head of the valley; Ethan with Dry Gulch through a light haze:

Enhanced by early morning shadows, light haze and high cloud cover, the views at treeline were incredible. Citadel: 

At treeline the snow cover became discontinuous, we put our skis on or backs and continued on foot:

40 minutes later we had just a few hundred feet of scrambling separating us from the summit block of Hagar.

Ethan, steps from the summit, with Coon Hill visible in the background:

Although the strong south winds and cloud cover were on our side, there had been a very light freeze the night before, it was time to head down the sun-baked south east face of Hagar. I dropped first, looking back up to see Ethan make his first turn in 15 months:

I think I see a little bit of relief in there!

After the summit block we worked our way skier's left across the wide face.

Then entered the lower half of the banana chute. I've always wanted to ski the banana chute, but never thought it lined up with the summit, bonus!

Knowing that time was against us in ascending the south face of the Citadel we quickly prepared to head back up. At this point I started to lose the top half of my vision, knowing a migraine was setting in, I immediately took my migraine medicine and we started hiking. 

Ethan's great comradery helped me to push the migraine out of my thoughts and focus on the steep bootpack to the ridge.

Looking back at our line on Hagar:

After 1000 vertical feet we reached the ridge:

At the ridge, I started to lose it: the left side of my body went numb, my headache increased, and I became so dizzy I could barely stand. Ethan was nice enough to sit down with me while I had a snack, hydrated, and took another dose of Excedrin. In retrospect, with symptoms that lasted until the next day, this was the worst migraine I've ever had. Feeling a bit more stable we continued towards the short couloir known as Snoopy's Collar. The east peak of Citadel:

Still dizzy at the collar, the relatively mellow snowclimb became a test of my focus. Ethan powering up  behind me:

Reaching the small saddle, Ethan and I were both overjoyed to find untouched snow in the north couloir where the rock amphitheater was still protecting 1300 vertical feet of creamy snow. Ethan dropped first, and I followed:

Lower down, the tight rock walls opened, and we opened up our turns:

Out of the upper amphitheater, an entertaining sidestep led us to one last pitch of skiing:

Which was obviously great!

From there a 500' vert skin brought us out of Herman Gulch and back to the saddle into Dry Gulch.

On the saddle Ethan found some edgeable grass:

Done with the patch skiing at the saddle, we skied continuous snow until 200' above the valley floor. Soon we were in a meadow listening to a beautiful stream, and getting ready for a quick nap with a view:

The route:

I am so happy to finally check this off the list, especially with a great partner! These two lines go well together, on an average snow year are even easier, and at 4500 vertical feet make for a very doable tour. One of my favorite tours, highly recommended!

Dry Gulch Ski - 11.8.2011

Yesterday Erik and I went up to Dry Gulch, one of our favorite early season touring zones on the Front Range. Just like last week we hadn't heard the most positive reports about the supportability of the snowpack, and these last couple storms had been a bit disappointing; but we've had good experience here in the past, so we thought we'd check it out anyways.

Mt. Sniktau

Despite the fact that almost no snow fell during the "storm" the night before and it was sunny out, it was snowing lightly as we started skinning. These beautiful, light, glittery flurries would continue all day.

As is usual early season in Dry Gulch, there was very little snow on the valley floor, making for an interesting stream and willow crossing.

As we started skinning up the valley wall we encountered the snow we had been warned about: 18" to 24" of completely unsupportable snow. It was like breaking trail through 18" of new snow as we essentially skinned along the ground. Needless to say this was a fair amount of work; it took us 2.5 hours from the car to the saddle on Trelease.

But we were rewarded with great turns, the snow was soft and supportable above treeline. I had a great time watching Erik rip down through the light falling snow.

Erik in his happy place

Below treeline the snow transitioned into the less supportable snow we had encountered on the skin up. But, it deep enough that it wasn't a problem and, if anything, made for better skiing. I tapped a few rocks, but nothing to be upset about.

Mike

Erik

Reaching the bottom of our lap we switched back to our skins and set out to find our old skin track. We found it quickly, but for some odd reason decided to not rejoin with it immediately. I don't know exactly what we were thinking here (maybe something about not wanting to skin over rocks???), but setting a new skin track a second time certainly was a good workout! By about a third of the way up both Erik and I were feeling completely beat. I couldn't really place my finger on what it was, just assuming that I was really out of shape. This lap we decided to stop at treeline, where I checked the time. It had taken us only 30 minutes to skin back up, no wonder I was feeling tired!!!!

The second lap we skied just left of the first lap. It was even better. I didn't hit the bottom once and watched Erik get a several ymmuy faceshots.

Erik

Erik

As Erik pulled up to me at the bottom we both had a smile on our face, Dry Gulch had delivered again.