Peak(s):	Wetterhorn Peak - 14,021 feet Mt. Sneffels - 14,155 feet Little Bear Peak - 14,041 feet
Date Posted:	05/07/2013
Date Climbed:	05/04/2013
Author:	bergsteigen
Additional Members:	EatinHardtack

Revisiting Favorites to Ski - East Face, Birthday Chutes and Hourglass
Day 1: Little Bear Peak TR by Bill Middlebrook: Little Bear and a Big Turd When I got the pm from Bill, it took me a millisecond to decide to go. Ever since I first summited Little Bear in 2010 as a snow climb, I've wanted to ski it. Back then I knew I wasn't quite ready for it, but if I worked hard and became a better skier, then I would ski it. Well, that was this year. I've worked hard, skiing steep and committing lines in variable snow conditions. I knew I was capable, just needed a partner that I could trust. I think I can honestly say that this was one of the most rewarding climb and skis I have had so far in my life. Though, I made far fewer turns than I had dreamed of making. With the low snow year, it was a lot narrower than I would have liked. So, if it wasn't for that darn road, I would be back in a better snow year to hit that again! Day 2: Wetterhorn Peak Route: East Face, D12 Mileage: 7.53 Elevation Gain: 3,790' Trailhead: Lower 2WD Matterhorn Creek With the snow melting fast in the San Juans and Sangre de Christo's, it was yet another weekend to get after the snow before it was gone. So time to ski my favorite peaks, since after Crestone Needle, my favorites are Wetterhorn and Sneffels. Zach and I had been communicating about what was on the top of our San Juan hit list. Top 2: Wetterhorn and Sneffels. So go time, let's ski these before they melt out! I arrive around midnight, after a long day dancing with the Bear. We decide that getting that extra hour of sleep is worth it, and get up around 4:30. We were able to drive and park by the 4WD section of road, and we were greeted by snow shortly there after. Being eager to get the skis off our backs, we start skinning. Well the snow ended around the bend, and became horribly patchy until after the 4WD trailhead, where we able to keep the skis on till the base of the climb. Good Morning Matterhorn! Skinning up the drainage Once at the base of the East Face, we quickly transition and start up the booter that was being refreshed by the two guys above from New Mexico. The sun was beating down on us, and now we kinda wished we had that hour back that we had slept in. It was a heads down and climb fast kinda day. We made short work of that climb, and were dropping crampons and extra gear by the scramble section asap. The East Face of Wetterhorn! Starting the booter up the face Zach coming up in the hot sun Yay! Top of the "skiable continuous snow"! Next ~30 minutes: Speed scramble up south face, click GPS, sign register, spin in circle with camera, drop pack - put on skis, make a couple turns, drop pack - put skis on pack, speed scramble down, drop pack - refill crampons & ax, strap skis on feet, un-Koflach boots - GO! The scrambling begins! Summit pano 1 Summit pano 2 Summit turns! A bit of a mixed scramble... Now to the fun part - SKIING! Fun, fun sloppy turns ensued shortly after getting onto the face. But they were still glorious, with amazing views. I made lots of pretty decent jump turns - Bill, you would have been proud! Starting down the face Skiing with a killer view! Zach tearing it up on the face Bill - I promise I made better looking jump turns than this Such a great day of skiing - Photo by Zach Bonus turns! Guess which one is mine Dirty corny goodness on the way out We got a couple sections of bonus turns on the way back, by following the tracks of the other skiers. Oh, they were absolutely perfect corn conditions, so I let it rip! Of course, when I hit that yucky brown snow, my body lurched forward, and I barely kept it under control. Amusingly, my iPhone popped out of my R1, and either I or Zach skied over it, scratching the back. But Zach went back and got it for me, and received a beer from Ouray Brewing as reward. It's the iPhone with 9 lives... I keep loosing it in the snow. If only I could lanyard that phone to me!!! Day 3: Mt Sneffels Route: Lavender Col, Birthday Chutes Mileage: 5.46 Elevation Gain: 2,975' Trailhead: Lower 2WD Yankee Boy Basin While drinking beer at Ouray Brewery, we noted a new trailhead update for Yankee Boy Basin. YES! We can drive all the way up to the 2WD parking lot. So up we went. It took some careful driving in my silly low slung Outback, but I got it up there (with only one scrape to the front bumper on the way down). My truck is getting a new suspension this week, and I've missed it horribly! With the forecast saying an overnight low of 32, with a high in the 50's, wind and partly cloudy - I didn't want a repeat of yesterday, where we had to speed climb. So we set an early wake up call, and got on the trail that hour earlier. Well, we coulda slept in that hour (or more). It was freakin cold! We got up to the base of the Lavender Col shortly after sunrise, and took a nice long break. It's going to be a LONG while before this snow warms up! But as I was starting to get cold, I begin the worlds slowest mountaineering rest step, and exaggerate my switchbacks up the slope. Brrr! Dang wind was killing us too. So when we got to the top of the saddle area, we hid behind the rocks and chatted up a group of 3 locals, who were going to ski the Snake. Waited and called on all my powers of 'Little Miss Sunshine' to force the sun from behind the clouds. Skin it to win it! Zach climbing the Lav Col - Birthday chutes on left, standard route on right Me trying to stay warm - Photo Credit: Zach Once the the sun had been out for a little while, I was tired of waiting, and we proceeded up the remainder of the Col. A nice booter all the way up, and soon I was looking over to the north face of Sneffels, where that group of 3 was rapping into the top of the Snake. Sneffels.... the locals favorite ski resort! Climbing up! Topping out of the Col Ok, so the V-notch is out - it's covered with a thick cornice. So you have to go with the more exposed class ~4 scrambling option higher up. The left option started out with huge blocky scramble, then a snow climb and drop on other side. On the right, was a steep snow climb followed by a highly exposed scramble, with rocks above. I was worried about skis hitting those rocks above, and limiting my scrambling, so I went with option 1: left. Well, Zach went with option 2, and as expected had some issues with his skis hitting those rocks above. The last few moves were going to be really hard to do safely, and he was almost going to go down. But then I remembered something. I had a sling, which I use to lanyard my whippet to me - since I have a bad habit of dropping stuff. So I slung a horn up on the ridge, and made a hand hold for Zach, where none existed. This allowed him to more safely and confidently, scramble around the ridge with skis on his pack. Your scramble options. Left: class 4 scramble with snow finish. Right: snow climb, with class 4/5 scramble finish and ice cli Zach coming up option 2 (right) Sorry - I have to rant now. I've been made fun of for carrying this sling on my pack for the last few years. It always irked me, since I thought - "One day this will be useful". Well, today it was. It allowed a friend and partner to more safely ascend a peak. It also pointed out, that on these tougher peaks, I should be carrying my alpine rope and some basic gear. I almost packed it, but I've become a pretty confident ski boots + crampons scrambler, and thought I wouldn't need it. Lesson learned! The magical sling! Ok, few more steps to the summit, where once again we wait as long as we possibly can for the snow to soften. We chat up another group of 3 skiers and split boarders from Telluride, rapping into the Snake. Snap a bunch of photos, enjoy the views... Onwards, to the summit! Summit pano Ready to ski! Let's go! Ok, clouds are starting to look darker (in a wide circle around us), and the sun is still out, so let's ski! We drop down the face a bit, then ski into the prominent line crossing the lower face, to find the entrance to the Birthday Chutes. Oh, glorious corn in the chutes. This was fun, lots and lots of fun. We had a blast taking photos of each other, and milking it for all it was worth! Such a quality route. I guess it was our "Birthday's" in spirit! Skiing the summit face Finding the entrance around the bend... Oh, sweet sweet corn! How I love snow and skiing! SO Happy! - Photo Credit: Zach Skiing down the lower half of the chute - Photo Credit: Zach Zach invisioning the awesomeness to come! Zach skiing like it's his Birthday Tearing it up! Lovely snow, how I love it Skiing the white stuff Does not get better than this! - Photo Credit: Zach Skiing, it's soooo much better than that other S word! - Photo Credit: Zach Skiing with a view - Photo Credit: Zach Just something pretty I saw on the way down A look back at yet another favorite ski! Thanks Zach for coming along on what is probably the last San Juan ski adventure for the year. Fun times! Now it's time to ski some of the closer peaks, once the snow stabilizes! That is, unless this week's snow storm brings as much snow as they promise... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Revisiting Favorites to Ski - East Face, Birthday Chutes and Hourglass Panoramas

Day 1: Little Bear Peak

TR by Bill Middlebrook: Little Bear and a Big Turd

When I got the pm from Bill, it took me a millisecond to decide to go. Ever since I first summited Little Bear in 2010 as a snow climb, I've wanted to ski it. Back then I knew I wasn't quite ready for it, but if I worked hard and became a better skier, then I would ski it. Well, that was this year. I've worked hard, skiing steep and committing lines in variable snow conditions. I knew I was capable, just needed a partner that I could trust. I think I can honestly say that this was one of the most rewarding climb and skis I have had so far in my life. Though, I made far fewer turns than I had dreamed of making. With the low snow year, it was a lot narrower than I would have liked. So, if it wasn't for that darn road, I would be back in a better snow year to hit that again!

Day 2: Wetterhorn Peak

Route: East Face, D12
Mileage: 7.53
Elevation Gain: 3,790'
Trailhead: Lower 2WD Matterhorn Creek

With the snow melting fast in the San Juans and Sangre de Christo's, it was yet another weekend to get after the snow before it was gone. So time to ski my favorite peaks, since after Crestone Needle, my favorites are Wetterhorn and Sneffels. Zach and I had been communicating about what was on the top of our San Juan hit list. Top 2: Wetterhorn and Sneffels. So go time, let's ski these before they melt out!

I arrive around midnight, after a long day dancing with the Bear. We decide that getting that extra hour of sleep is worth it, and get up around 4:30. We were able to drive and park by the 4WD section of road, and we were greeted by snow shortly there after. Being eager to get the skis off our backs, we start skinning. Well the snow ended around the bend, and became horribly patchy until after the 4WD trailhead, where we able to keep the skis on till the base of the climb.

Once at the base of the East Face, we quickly transition and start up the booter that was being refreshed by the two guys above from New Mexico. The sun was beating down on us, and now we kinda wished we had that hour back that we had slept in. It was a heads down and climb fast kinda day. We made short work of that climb, and were dropping crampons and extra gear by the scramble section asap.

Starting the booter up the face

Zach coming up in the hot sun

Yay! Top of the "skiable continuous snow"!

Next ~30 minutes: Speed scramble up south face, click GPS, sign register, spin in circle with camera, drop pack - put on skis, make a couple turns, drop pack - put skis on pack, speed scramble down, drop pack - refill crampons & ax, strap skis on feet, un-Koflach boots - GO!

Summit turns!

Now to the fun part - SKIING! Fun, fun sloppy turns ensued shortly after getting onto the face. But they were still glorious, with amazing views. I made lots of pretty decent jump turns - Bill, you would have been proud!

Bill - I promise I made better looking jump turns than this

Such a great day of skiing - Photo by Zach

Bonus turns! Guess which one is mine

Dirty corny goodness on the way out

We got a couple sections of bonus turns on the way back, by following the tracks of the other skiers. Oh, they were absolutely perfect corn conditions, so I let it rip! Of course, when I hit that yucky brown snow, my body lurched forward, and I barely kept it under control. Amusingly, my iPhone popped out of my R1, and either I or Zach skied over it, scratching the back. But Zach went back and got it for me, and received a beer from Ouray Brewing as reward. It's the iPhone with 9 lives... I keep loosing it in the snow. If only I could lanyard that phone to me!!!

Day 3: Mt Sneffels

Route: Lavender Col, Birthday Chutes
Mileage: 5.46
Elevation Gain: 2,975'
Trailhead: Lower 2WD Yankee Boy Basin

While drinking beer at Ouray Brewery, we noted a new trailhead update for Yankee Boy Basin. YES! We can drive all the way up to the 2WD parking lot. So up we went. It took some careful driving in my silly low slung Outback, but I got it up there (with only one scrape to the front bumper on the way down). My truck is getting a new suspension this week, and I've missed it horribly! With the forecast saying an overnight low of 32, with a high in the 50's, wind and partly cloudy - I didn't want a repeat of yesterday, where we had to speed climb. So we set an early wake up call, and got on the trail that hour earlier.

Well, we coulda slept in that hour (or more). It was freakin cold! We got up to the base of the Lavender Col shortly after sunrise, and took a nice long break. It's going to be a LONG while before this snow warms up! But as I was starting to get cold, I begin the worlds slowest mountaineering rest step, and exaggerate my switchbacks up the slope. Brrr! Dang wind was killing us too. So when we got to the top of the saddle area, we hid behind the rocks and chatted up a group of 3 locals, who were going to ski the Snake. Waited and called on all my powers of 'Little Miss Sunshine' to force the sun from behind the clouds.

Zach climbing the Lav Col - Birthday chutes on left, standard route on right

Me trying to stay warm - Photo Credit: Zach

Once the the sun had been out for a little while, I was tired of waiting, and we proceeded up the remainder of the Col. A nice booter all the way up, and soon I was looking over to the north face of Sneffels, where that group of 3 was rapping into the top of the Snake.

Sneffels.... the locals favorite ski resort!

Climbing up!

Topping out of the Col

Ok, so the V-notch is out - it's covered with a thick cornice. So you have to go with the more exposed class ~4 scrambling option higher up. The left option started out with huge blocky scramble, then a snow climb and drop on other side. On the right, was a steep snow climb followed by a highly exposed scramble, with rocks above. I was worried about skis hitting those rocks above, and limiting my scrambling, so I went with option 1: left. Well, Zach went with option 2, and as expected had some issues with his skis hitting those rocks above. The last few moves were going to be really hard to do safely, and he was almost going to go down. But then I remembered something. I had a sling, which I use to lanyard my whippet to me - since I have a bad habit of dropping stuff. So I slung a horn up on the ridge, and made a hand hold for Zach, where none existed. This allowed him to more safely and confidently, scramble around the ridge with skis on his pack.

Your scramble options. Left: class 4 scramble with snow finish. Right: snow climb, with class 4/5 scramble finish and ice cli

Sorry - I have to rant now. I've been made fun of for carrying this sling on my pack for the last few years. It always irked me, since I thought - "One day this will be useful". Well, today it was. It allowed a friend and partner to more safely ascend a peak. It also pointed out, that on these tougher peaks, I should be carrying my alpine rope and some basic gear. I almost packed it, but I've become a pretty confident ski boots + crampons scrambler, and thought I wouldn't need it. Lesson learned!

The magical sling!

Ok, few more steps to the summit, where once again we wait as long as we possibly can for the snow to soften. We chat up another group of 3 skiers and split boarders from Telluride, rapping into the Snake. Snap a bunch of photos, enjoy the views...

Onwards, to the summit!

Ok, clouds are starting to look darker (in a wide circle around us), and the sun is still out, so let's ski! We drop down the face a bit, then ski into the prominent line crossing the lower face, to find the entrance to the Birthday Chutes. Oh, glorious corn in the chutes. This was fun, lots and lots of fun. We had a blast taking photos of each other, and milking it for all it was worth! Such a quality route. I guess it was our "Birthday's" in spirit!

Finding the entrance around the bend...

Oh, sweet sweet corn! How I love snow and skiing!

Skiing down the lower half of the chute - Photo Credit: Zach

Zach invisioning the awesomeness to come!

Does not get better than this! - Photo Credit: Zach

Skiing, it's soooo much better than that other S word! - Photo Credit: Zach

Just something pretty I saw on the way down

A look back at yet another favorite ski!

Thanks Zach for coming along on what is probably the last San Juan ski adventure for the year. Fun times! Now it's time to ski some of the closer peaks, once the snow stabilizes! That is, unless this week's snow storm brings as much snow as they promise...

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

SchralpTheGnar	nice TR bad dirt 05/07/2013 22:17 jimi gonna sock it to you, look out!
Carl	what a dirty TR 05/08/2013 05:12 but with some good looking skiers, especially with that limited edition FOBP hat Zach Looks like fun! Keep em coming Otina
BillMiddlebrook	Reach for the Gravity 05/08/2013 13:02 Great job, Otina and Zach. Otina, compared to LB the day before, I'm sure it felt pretty good to tear up the more-open slopes of Wetterhorn and Sneffels. Congrats to you guys and I hope we can get out for more.
bergsteigen	Dang Dirt! My bases are GREY! 05/08/2013 17:22 I may have to get a ”mid season” tune on my skis! Or apply wax every quarter mile Carl - I'll ski till there is no snow left! Gotta make up for last season... Bill - Yeah, much easier descent when there's room (and less sharks) to get into the jump turning rhythm! Skiing >>> work/etc It's why I save up my vacation leave!
dsunwall	lanyard 05/08/2013 21:09 On a Otterbox you can punch a couple of small holes in the outer shell for a lanyard connection. It does make a lump there but works ok. I don't know why they don't make them with a loop for one. I really like my Otterbox for the outback, but they are expensive and every time you upgrade your phone you need a different box.
EatinHardtack	Thanks again! 05/09/2013 21:48 Thanks again for inviting me along Otina. Had a great weekend and a great time skiing a couple of my favorite peaks as well. Look forward to it again!
GregMiller	Snow on N/E side of Lavender Col? 05/13/2013 20:47 Any beta on the N/E side of Lavender Col, or on Snake Couloir? I'm looking to start at East Dallas Creek, climb Snake, ski down the gully, and continue down the N/E side of Lavender back to East Dallas Creek. Thanks! Greg
bergsteigen	Mostly Dry... 05/13/2013 21:13 There might be some snow on the west side, but I don't fully remember. I would expect dry, unless the recent snow sticks around for awhile. From saddle, looking up From above, looking eastish Snake looked good, from what I could see: Top of Snake All Sneffels photos

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