Torreys Peak Trip Report 07/18/2011

Peak(s):	Torreys Peak - 14,272 feet
Date Posted:	07/18/2011
Modified:	07/19/2011
Date Climbed:	07/17/2011
Author:	jrsundevil06

Skiing the Grand Canyon AKA Dead Dog Couloir
This may piggy back the recent TR from Centrifuge (nice report btw) a bit but I think it'll be helpful because we actually descended Dead Dog and can provide some insight for those who are still thinking of getting a ski descent in. I met up with Adam (realhillboarder) Saturday night, set up camp near the trailhead and got some shut eye. We started hiking at 4:45am, probably should've started closer to 4, and arrived at the base of Dead Dog around 5:50. The full moon made it nice and easy in the morning. We took 10 minutes to get our crampons on, stashed some gear, fueled up and we were off. We noticed two others making their way up already, Trevor (Centrifuge) and John ( Aconcagua08 ), and were happy to know that we would have a good boot pack set! Gearing up and looking at the task at hand We met up with John and Trevor about halfway up the couloir and it was obvious that Trevor was having some foot issues. This is also when we realized that the runnel aka "Grand Canyon" might wreak some havoc on the way down. Adam came up with a good game plan of knocking down the walls with an ice axe to create an easier traverse. It's in your best interest to cross from skiers right to left as high up as possible because it gets more deep the further down you go. Our first good look at the "Grand Canyon" We chatted for a bit, made sure Trevor was good to proceed (which he was) thanked them for the good boot pack they left us, wished them well, and were off. Wishing Trevor the best and moving onward. The snow conditions were good going up which made the ascent pretty easy on us but we could tell that it was warming up quickly and knew that couldn't really mess around too long up top. Me making my way up the couloir. It took us 2 hours to make it to the top of the couloir, stashed our stuff and made our way up to the summit.Here's Adam making the final push up the couloir. Adam making the final push There is enough snow at the summit to ski from the top but we didn't risk it given the fact we didn't hike up that part and figured it wasn't worth making those 2 or 3 extra turns not knowing what the snow conditions were like beforehand. We took the obligatory summit shot and headed down to get ready for the descent. Summit shot We met up with Trevor and John where we stashed our gear and it was good to hear that Trevor's foot was doing better. They pushed onward towards the summit and later enjoyed a nice descent down the saddle between Grays and Torreys. We dropped in at 9am and Adam enjoyed the first couple of turns. The snow was very soft but stable enough to hold while making jump turns Adam dropping in If you hug the far skiers right you'll find the best snow conditions but it won't last long because about 1/4 of the way down you'll hit the sun cupped snow, and the "Grand Canyon" is just below you. Me hugging the right side Continue to hug the right side until there's enough room to cross over and make turns on the skiers left. The runnel comes into play. It's definitely a no fall zone when you cross over the runnel. Me crossing over Making a turn after crossing over Once you cross over the runnel and are on the skiers left the snow becomes more sun cupped and you have to worry about the debris from fallen rocks but there is more room to maneuver which makes things a bit easier. Hitting the rock debris If you are hiking up and you notice climbers/skiers above you, DO NOT stop right at the base of the first rock cropping to the hikers left (roughly 1/4 of the way up the couloir) because that is where all the snow from the slough collects. Adam with all the slough debris to the right of him After you pass the final choke point it is pretty much open to shred away. The snow is the mostly sun cupped here and you might embarrass yourself if you fall here but that's about it. Me entering the open area We finished our turns around 9:20 and could safely relax and reflect on the fact that we could do such an awesome line on July 17th! This is where my legs were screaming at me! Adam with Dead Dog in the background. There were two hikers in the couloir at this point. Taking some shots of Dead Dog on the way back to the car where some cold beers awaited us! All in all, there is still enough snow in Dead Dog to have a successful descent but START EARLY because the snow is melting quickly and softens up really fast. Be ready for some adverse conditions such as snow cupping, rock fall, sloughing, and the enormous runnel that can almost be confused with the Grand Canyon. The rocks at the bottom look worse than they really are but still be cautious. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Skiing the Grand Canyon AKA Dead Dog Couloir

This may piggy back the recent TR from Centrifuge (nice report btw) a bit but I think it'll be helpful because we actually descended Dead Dog and can provide some insight for those who are still thinking of getting a ski descent in. I met up with Adam (realhillboarder) Saturday night, set up camp near the trailhead and got some shut eye. We started hiking at 4:45am, probably should've started closer to 4, and arrived at the base of Dead Dog around 5:50.

The full moon made it nice and easy in the morning.

We took 10 minutes to get our crampons on, stashed some gear, fueled up and we were off. We noticed two others making their way up already, Trevor (Centrifuge) and John ( Aconcagua08 ), and were happy to know that we would have a good boot pack set!

Gearing up and looking at the task at hand

We met up with John and Trevor about halfway up the couloir and it was obvious that Trevor was having some foot issues. This is also when we realized that the runnel aka "Grand Canyon" might wreak some havoc on the way down. Adam came up with a good game plan of knocking down the walls with an ice axe to create an easier traverse. It's in your best interest to cross from skiers right to left as high up as possible because it gets more deep the further down you go.

Our first good look at the "Grand Canyon"

We chatted for a bit, made sure Trevor was good to proceed (which he was) thanked them for the good boot pack they left us, wished them well, and were off.

Wishing Trevor the best and moving onward.

The snow conditions were good going up which made the ascent pretty easy on us but we could tell that it was warming up quickly and knew that couldn't really mess around too long up top.

It took us 2 hours to make it to the top of the couloir, stashed our stuff and made our way up to the summit.Here's Adam making the final push up the couloir.

There is enough snow at the summit to ski from the top but we didn't risk it given the fact we didn't hike up that part and figured it wasn't worth making those 2 or 3 extra turns not knowing what the snow conditions were like beforehand. We took the obligatory summit shot and headed down to get ready for the descent.

We met up with Trevor and John where we stashed our gear and it was good to hear that Trevor's foot was doing better. They pushed onward towards the summit and later enjoyed a nice descent down the saddle between Grays and Torreys.

We dropped in at 9am and Adam enjoyed the first couple of turns. The snow was very soft but stable enough to hold while making jump turns

If you hug the far skiers right you'll find the best snow conditions but it won't last long because about 1/4 of the way down you'll hit the sun cupped snow, and the "Grand Canyon" is just below you.

Continue to hug the right side until there's enough room to cross over and make turns on the skiers left.

It's definitely a no fall zone when you cross over the runnel.

Once you cross over the runnel and are on the skiers left the snow becomes more sun cupped and you have to worry about the debris from fallen rocks but there is more room to maneuver which makes things a bit easier.

If you are hiking up and you notice climbers/skiers above you, DO NOT stop right at the base of the first rock cropping to the hikers left (roughly 1/4 of the way up the couloir) because that is where all the snow from the slough collects.

Adam with all the slough debris to the right of him

After you pass the final choke point it is pretty much open to shred away. The snow is the mostly sun cupped here and you might embarrass yourself if you fall here but that's about it.

We finished our turns around 9:20 and could safely relax and reflect on the fact that we could do such an awesome line on July 17th!

This is where my legs were screaming at me!

Adam with Dead Dog in the background. There were two hikers in the couloir at this point.

Taking some shots of Dead Dog on the way back to the car where some cold beers awaited us!

All in all, there is still enough snow in Dead Dog to have a successful descent but START EARLY because the snow is melting quickly and softens up really fast. Be ready for some adverse conditions such as snow cupping, rock fall, sloughing, and the enormous runnel that can almost be confused with the Grand Canyon. The rocks at the bottom look worse than they really are but still be cautious.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

centrifuge	love the report 7/19/2011 9:21am looks like it was a fun trip down even with the 'grand canyon'! nice meeting you guys
jrsundevil06	Thanks! 7/19/2011 2:30pm It was a fun ski and the conditions really weren't all that bad given the fact that it's mid July!
pioletski	True addicts! 7/19/2011 2:44pm Definitely great skiing for July 17th.
realhillboarding	fun climb 7/20/2011 12:13am thanks for writing up our climb!

Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.

Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.

14ers.com

Social

Mobile App