Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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wrinkledpants
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions

Post by wrinkledpants »

Did you need snowshoes?
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GregMiller
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions

Post by GregMiller »

Climbed Dragonstail today. Apron is mostly melted out (and the rest is going fast), we were able to stay on good snow from about the middle and up. The choke point before the branch is dry, but easy enough to get up. We took the left branch, had a couple big steps/moves on to rock at a couple rock steps. Looks like the cornice is still up on the right branch, wasn't able to get good eyes on the snow on the right branch. Got a decent freeze with last night's clear skies, slightly soft but we felt safe the whole way up. Never felt a need for snowshoes, approach is dry and descent down Flattop trail has pretty solid snow. Will try to load up some photos later.
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ajlavigne
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions

Post by ajlavigne »

Re-birthing an old post instead of starting a new one...

Headed up to RMNP Friday hoping to climb Dragon's Tail on Saturday dark and early (4:00am) and descend via Flattop since it's supposed to be low 50s. Not much precip between now and then, but NOAA was calling for up to 20" from the last couple days. Not too worried about snowpack by then, but if anyone heads up there in the next couple days and wants to note conditions I'd appreciate it.
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SchralpTheGnar
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions

Post by SchralpTheGnar »

ajlavigne wrote:Re-birthing an old post instead of starting a new one...

Headed up to RMNP Friday hoping to climb Dragon's Tail on Saturday dark and early (4:00am) and descend via Flattop since it's supposed to be low 50s. Not much precip between now and then, but NOAA was calling for up to 20" from the last couple days. Not too worried about snowpack by then, but if anyone heads up there in the next couple days and wants to note conditions I'd appreciate it.

There were some recent conditions post on DT over at TGR.
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Traveler
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions

Post by Traveler »

There was good snowpack this weekend, though temperatures had been above freezing overnight, so it got mushy quickly.
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zdero1
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions

Post by zdero1 »

Somewhat of a Prick was just up there. Send him a PM.
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions

Post by Alpineair »

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Was up there today. Lots of recent slide activity which seemed to make it difficult for some skiers we saw. Big cornice on the right branch, did not see one on the left.
Adverse conditions may exist-CDOT
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ajlavigne
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions

Post by ajlavigne »

Pictures from Saturday morning. Lots of slide evidence on the apron. Heard/saw a larger rock slide on the southern side (north-east aspect) of the Tyndall Creek valley just after sunrise. Not positive on times, but we left Bear Lake at 4:15, apron at 5:30ish, took a break around the midpoint, and topped out around 8:15. No overnight freeze and starting temp was about 38, so the snow was knee-deep in spots. Following glissade & slide paths helped eliminate larger buckets to the upper section that stays firm in the shade. Only a couple rock moves necessary on the crux step right now. Descended via Flattop Mtn trail.

Several other groups climbed up behind us and a ski group was getting ready to descend when we left the couloir.

To second what alpineair mentioned above, the right fork still has a sizeable cornice.
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Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity. -John Muir
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