Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions
Did you need snowshoes?
- GregMiller
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions
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.
Still Here
been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me,
Looks like between 'em they done Tried to make me
Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'-- But I don't care! I'm still here!
Langston Hughes
been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me,
Looks like between 'em they done Tried to make me
Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'-- But I don't care! I'm still here!
Langston Hughes
Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions
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.
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.
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
- SchralpTheGnar
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions
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.
- Traveler
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions
There was good snowpack this weekend, though temperatures had been above freezing overnight, so it got mushy quickly.
Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions
Somewhat of a Prick was just up there. Send him a PM.
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Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions
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
Re: Dragon's Tail Couloir Conditions
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.
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.
- Attachments
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- Rock Step.jpg (145.17 KiB) Viewed 850 times
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- Fork Section.jpg (222.54 KiB) Viewed 850 times
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- DT Couloir from Emerald Lake.jpg (215.89 KiB) Viewed 850 times
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