Pikes Peak Trip Report 06/24/2009

Peak(s):	Pikes Peak - 14,109 feet
Date Posted:	06/24/2009
Date Climbed:	06/23/2009
Author:	ossie322

Pikes Peak Ski- Railroad Couloir
At the end of April my wife and I found ourselves at a training center near Monument, CO. With the massive north face of pikes easily viewable, I started planning a descent and climb of the Y. But with my wife giving birth to our first child and a bunch of other things, I hadn't been able to put a trip together until now. Love it: My friends Nathan and Julie were excited to join in on the plans, but after Nathan's scare on Conundrum(TR by Benners) last week, we decided that the Railroad Couloir would be a better choice for the adventure. We got one more climbing buddy, Michael, and left Denver Tuesday around 6am. We made good time to the Pikes road gate, which sadly doesn't open until 7:30 (a time which the ranger guy assured me was set in stone). It turns out he was a softy and we made it through the gates at 7:15. Score! After arriving on the summit we scoped out the conditions: Y- East Branch- Looking a little rough on top but still doable in its current condition. Appeared to be beginning to runnel just a bit. Railroad- Much better conditions in general, but some rocks are starting to creep through the snowpack in places. The rocks are both obvious and avoidable, however. Entrance: The Railroad Couloir is the easternmost one on the north face, and it is pretty simple to locate by crossing the cog tracks east and descending a short ways. The RR ski is ranked advanced by Dawson, but probably never exceeds much more than 40 degrees, at least it didn't seem like it to me. We dropped into some pretty unforgiving, yet workable snowpack and started turning our way down. Me about ready to drop in: Michael working the first shaded area: Once we were beyond the shadow of the tight drop-in, the snow was softening nicely and we enjoyed some excellent corn turns as the couloir zigs gently to the east then back west to meet up with the Y couloir at the bottom. Me strolling into a safety zone: Nathan and Julie coming to join me: We could have kept skiing a significant distance more, but the sun was out and I was not too excited to start climbing up from deep in The Bottomless Pit. We chilled for a while and enjoyed a little food and water at the exact bottom point of the V where the Y- Couloir meets the Railroad. The highlight of snack time was Nathan's bag of gummy bears. At least, it was the highlight for everyone else. I got distracted and somehow forgot about the goodness that is those tasty red ones. Nathan reminded me eventually but by that time I was already in climbing zone. Oh well. Our halftime resting point: Y on the right, Railroad to the left. We began climbing at 10:00 on the dot. I wanted to ascend via the Y, but decided I would save that for next time around when I get to ski it. The ascent was decent, but I am not at all in love with the ski first-climb second plan. The ski was great, but we spent the first third of the climb post-holing. Michael and I took turns kicking the steps/hiking in post-holing hell. The second third was pretty much a mix: 20 feet of strength, 20 feet of soft not so supportive snow. I will say this though: stay away from those aspects that face a bit to the east because for obvious reasons they are mush. The remaining third of the climb was pretty solid and went much more quickly. We topped out on the Couloir at just after 11:30 and had to explain ourselves to the enormous bunch of tourists eating "world famous donuts". Michael enjoying the triumph: It was almost like we were aliens from another planet. Michael could not resist the pleasant donut aroma and went in to grab a few, but came out disappointed. The line was "like 400 people long." Bummer. Welcome to summer tourist season I guess. I am a bit bummed to have to put the skis away, but it was a good season! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Pikes Peak Ski- Railroad Couloir

At the end of April my wife and I found ourselves at a training center near Monument, CO. With the massive north face of pikes easily viewable, I started planning a descent and climb of the Y. But with my wife giving birth to our first child and a bunch of other things, I hadn't been able to put a trip together until now.

Love it:

My friends Nathan and Julie were excited to join in on the plans, but after Nathan's scare on Conundrum(TR by Benners) last week, we decided that the Railroad Couloir would be a better choice for the adventure. We got one more climbing buddy, Michael, and left Denver Tuesday around 6am. We made good time to the Pikes road gate, which sadly doesn't open until 7:30 (a time which the ranger guy assured me was set in stone). It turns out he was a softy and we made it through the gates at 7:15. Score! After arriving on the summit we scoped out the conditions:

Y- East Branch- Looking a little rough on top but still doable in its current condition. Appeared to be beginning to runnel just a bit.

Railroad- Much better conditions in general, but some rocks are starting to creep through the snowpack in places. The rocks are both obvious and avoidable, however.

Entrance:

The Railroad Couloir is the easternmost one on the north face, and it is pretty simple to locate by crossing the cog tracks east and descending a short ways. The RR ski is ranked advanced by Dawson, but probably never exceeds much more than 40 degrees, at least it didn't seem like it to me. We dropped into some pretty unforgiving, yet workable snowpack and started turning our way down.

Me about ready to drop in:

Michael working the first shaded area:

Once we were beyond the shadow of the tight drop-in, the snow was softening nicely and we enjoyed some excellent corn turns as the couloir zigs gently to the east then back west to meet up with the Y couloir at the bottom.

Me strolling into a safety zone:

Nathan and Julie coming to join me:

We could have kept skiing a significant distance more, but the sun was out and I was not too excited to start climbing up from deep in The Bottomless Pit. We chilled for a while and enjoyed a little food and water at the exact bottom point of the V where the Y- Couloir meets the Railroad. The highlight of snack time was Nathan's bag of gummy bears. At least, it was the highlight for everyone else. I got distracted and somehow forgot about the goodness that is those tasty red ones. Nathan reminded me eventually but by that time I was already in climbing zone. Oh well.

Our halftime resting point: Y on the right, Railroad to the left.

We began climbing at 10:00 on the dot. I wanted to ascend via the Y, but decided I would save that for next time around when I get to ski it. The ascent was decent, but I am not at all in love with the ski first-climb second plan. The ski was great, but we spent the first third of the climb post-holing. Michael and I took turns kicking the steps/hiking in post-holing hell.

The second third was pretty much a mix: 20 feet of strength, 20 feet of soft not so supportive snow. I will say this though: stay away from those aspects that face a bit to the east because for obvious reasons they are mush.

The remaining third of the climb was pretty solid and went much more quickly. We topped out on the Couloir at just after 11:30 and had to explain ourselves to the enormous bunch of tourists eating "world famous donuts".

Michael enjoying the triumph:

It was almost like we were aliens from another planet. Michael could not resist the pleasant donut aroma and went in to grab a few, but came out disappointed. The line was "like 400 people long." Bummer. Welcome to summer tourist season I guess.

I am a bit bummed to have to put the skis away, but it was a good season!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

benners	Nice First TR Buddy! 6/25/2009 1:46pm Great to see those writing skills finally seeing the light of day! Looks like you guys had a nice day out, and Nathan is evidently completely unshaken as well, good work you all! P.s. The skis aren‘t quite done just yet , lets get one more out of em...
pioletski	Good to see... 6/25/2009 2:32pm ... that you‘re still out rippin‘ it up (especially Nathan, good job bro)! Did anyone ask you the traditional gaper question: ”You boys know what you‘re doing”? I‘ve gotta agree with Ben - I‘m satisfied with the season but it doesn‘t have to be over yet.
hoag	Great trip! 6/25/2009 4:33pm We had beautiful weather and no injuries. You can‘t ask for much more than that. I‘m super proud of my wife for owning the mountain. This was her first ski decent and she handled it like a champ! I was a little nervous at first due to past experiences but everything went swimmingly overall. The snow wasn‘t spectacular but you can‘t ask for much in late June. Ski it while you can folks! Time is running out
SkiNowWorkLater	Question! 6/25/2009 4:42pm Nice TR Ossie. I‘m thinking about heading over there this weekend. Do you think there was enough snow to stick around for a summit ski on Saturday morning?
ossie322	SNWL 6/25/2009 5:44pm I would say go for it. A lot of that snow on the Railroad is in the shade pretty early on. The only area that is getting sparse is the direct summit due to the warmth and insane tourist traffic/clearing efforts to have a dry parking lot. Kinda lame. If you are shooting for the Y I think its a toss-up, but if you bust up that road and go for it super early you can probably make it happen. Just be prepared for a soft re-climb. If its ”out” then you are always on the summit of a sweet mountain with ”world famous donuts” within striking distance. 8)
bckcntryskr	Many on the Peak 6/26/2009 3:33pm We sure have had a ton of TR‘s on the peak this year. It is great to see this classic is still pumping in late June. Good work guy‘s and girl....

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