Mt. Arkansas Trip Report 01/25/2023

Report Type	Mini
Peak(s)	Mt. Arkansas - 13,804 feet
Date Posted	01/25/2023
Modified	11/27/2024
Date Climbed	04/30/2022
Author	jprinner

Moonshine Couloir
Total distance: 6.04 mi Total climbing: 3745 ft Most people climb Mount Arkansas via the North Ridge route, which is supposedly class 2+ although I found to be more like class 2. The Moonshine Couloir, also known as the North Couloir, is another popular route that people take to reach the top of this mountain. It is well-liked by both skiers and couloir climbers, and is reasonably simple to get there from the trailhead. Snowshoes are strongly advised because there is typically no clear path leading up to the couloir. We do not stop for trains Faraway view of the peak Nice view of the peak and couloir The couloir, front and center Starting up Since the moonlight couloir is not very difficult, it may be completed with just a helmet, crampons, and a simple mountaineer's ice axe. We were initially worried about the giant cornice that likes to form at the top, but upon doing some research discovered that it had melted away on the left side so we could just walk up to the ridge. Looking down Cornice up ahead Top of the couloir The peak is only another 50–100 feet away from the top. After reaching the summit, you have a few options: ski down or downclimb the couloir, walk off the North Ridge, which is usually moderately avy safe provided you stay mostly on the ridge, or return to the trailhead by descending the couloir. Mt. Arkansas Summit Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Moonshine Couloir

Total distance: 6.04 mi
Total climbing: 3745 ft

Most people climb Mount Arkansas via the North Ridge route, which is supposedly class 2+ although I found to be more like class 2.

The Moonshine Couloir, also known as the North Couloir, is another popular route that people take to reach the top of this mountain. It is well-liked by both skiers and couloir climbers, and is reasonably simple to get there from the trailhead. Snowshoes are strongly advised because there is typically no clear path leading up to the couloir.

Since the moonlight couloir is not very difficult, it may be completed with just a helmet, crampons, and a simple mountaineer's ice axe. We were initially worried about the giant cornice that likes to form at the top, but upon doing some research discovered that it had melted away on the left side so we could just walk up to the ridge.

The peak is only another 50–100 feet away from the top. After reaching the summit, you have a few options: ski down or downclimb the couloir, walk off the North Ridge, which is usually moderately avy safe provided you stay mostly on the ridge, or return to the trailhead by descending the couloir.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

ltlFish99	Wonderful 1/26/2023 8:11pm Photographs
Jay521	Now this one goes on my list 1/27/2023 8:48am Nice report!!! But the cornice looks scary.

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