Quandary Peak was my second 14er ski descent this year. After doing the East Ridge of Mt. Elbert a few weeks prior, I learned that the East Ridge of Quandary Peak was also a good safe ski descent so on April 7, I decided to check it out. Since I was without a partner, I decided that I would descend the route I ascended. Conditions were forecast to be perfect all day again, albeit a little warm; no problem, I would avoid southern aspects that day.

I parked at the winter trailhead parking which is very close to the summer trailhead right off the highway. I put the skins on right away and was able to keep them on all the way to the summit; though there were a few bare spots on the trail I probably should have hiked through instead of trying to circumnavigate. I was feeling in pretty good shape by this point in the season and passed a few other hikers and skiers enroute to the summit. It was steep skinning for the final mile but I still managed to go straight up with heel risers and no switchbacking. The summit looks awesome in winter--totally snow-covered all the way. I hung around for a little while getting my picture taken from a descending hiker.

Conditions were perfect. I checked the avalanche forecast again. Upper elevations were at a level 1 for all but southern aspects. The Northeast facing Quandary Couloir would be in prime shape. I had grown up skiing and felt comfortable enough on steep terrain. I had my Inreach tracking. Was it wise to attempt this thing alone even in such good conditions?

As I skied off the summit down the East Ridge vacillating on this decision, I ran into one of the ski parties I had passed. After striking up a conversation with them, it sounded like one of them was keen on the idea of skiing the couloir. I wondered if it was actually safer partnering up with someone whose ski experience I knew nothing about. Could be more of a liability. I wasn't in the mood to be attempting any rescues. But he seemed legit, so I took the gamble and committed to skiing it with him. I would wait on the ridge for him to summit and return.

Thankfully, he proved to highly capable for the challenge, though this would be his first couloir experience as well. My Gaia GPS app was critical in finding the correct entry point to the Quandary Couloir, especially since I had not climbed what I was about to ski. Had I gone with my instincts alone, I would have ended up at one of the lower entry points which all turn into some steep and scary-looking terraing. In retrospect, I don't think it's the safest decision to ski what you haven't first scoped out on the climb up. But I got away with it that day, and as predicted, the snow conditions in the couloir were perfect; cohesive but still soft.

Safety concerns aside, this was a spectacular and worthy adventure, and I was tremendously satisfied to have accomplished such an amazing descent and for my ability/comfort level, it felt just right. This couloir descends 3,000' of straightforward skiing around 40ish degrees with a crux toward the end that chokes down to about 20' across and steepens ever so slightly. A couple side slips and jump turns and I was through.

The rest of the descent was just another lovely creek exploration through McCullough Gulch. Just stay the creek until it intercepts Mcullough Gulch Road (CR 851). This road led me conveniently right back to the Quandary Peak Trail and my car through some rather flat and undulating terrain, though I never had to put the skins back on.

Another fantastic adventure!

https://youtu.be/NDkb1b9tPTM