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Peak(s)  Pikes Peak  -  14,109 feet
Date Posted  06/10/2009
Modified  02/11/2010
Date Climbed   06/09/2009
Author  RoanMtnMan
 Pikes Peak - Y Not One More   
I remember the first time I saw Pike's North Face from Woodland Park, I thought "people ski that?" I went up about this time last year for a look, coverage was too thin for the ski, but it looked much more mellow than the Woodland Park view. Between road closures and unstable weather Pikes can be tough to time.

After the Eolus jaunt last weekend and getting ready for Rainier this weekend, I was hesitant to squeeze in a midweek trip. However Chris is leaving CO for CA next week and I really wanted to get out for one more ski with him before he leaves. For those that have read some of my other TRs you know that Chris has been a great partner this spring. I am bummed to see him leave.

After accompanying me on number of slogs, a short mellow day with good steep skiing would be a nice close to his ski season.

The weather looked best on Tuesday, so we set the plan. We departed much later than normal for a spring ski since we would be skiing straight from the parking lot on the summit.

As we sat in the warm truck, finishing up coffee and waiting for the snow to soften, I kind of felt like we were cheating in some way. As 14er skiing goes this was luxurious.

We scoped the various descent options and finally settled on the skier's left branch of the Y Couloir. The snow was still a little firm up top, but we figured it would be softer below.

I took the first few turns and sure enough it softened up in a short distance. Chris dropped in and laid down some nice turns down to the choke.

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We heard two climbers below us ascending the other branch of the Y and waited for them to move above us.

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The choke took some negotiation but was soon behind us. A second rock band went without a problem as well.

Chris:
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Jump turns were the order of the day.

Me:
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Chris:
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We soon found ourselves nearing the bottomless pit and surprisingly the snow got firmer. When the turns were no longer fun we put skis on our backs and started the climb back up. Recent traffic has left a really nice boot pack, which was much appreciated.

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We stepped our way up to the cornice at the summit and then back to the truck.

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Thanks to the boot pack it only took about 2 hours truck to truck. A good ending Chris. I really appreciated your partnership this spring. We will have to hit my old playground, Shasta, next spring. Some good skiing up there. Good luck buddy.

Blue=Ski Red=Climb
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Comments or Questions
RoanMtnMan
User
Drop in.
6/10/2009 8:09pm
The cloud cover and chilly temps kept things pretty frozen. We got up there around 9:30 and waited around until 10:30. It still wasn‘t totally ready due to lack of sun. Noon would have been about right I think.


pioletski
User
Nice day, nice pix!
6/10/2009 8:51pm
The north face of Pike‘s is a treasure. I could see making regular pilgrimages.


benners
User
Sick
6/10/2009 9:29pm
Dude you gotta show me how to take pictures like that! Nice ski, glad to see some others out getting the Y.


d_baker
User
you‘re welcome!
6/10/2009 10:47pm
Three of us climbed the the Y on Monday, so it might have been our boot pack! I think the weather on Monday might have been better too, judging from what the Peak looked like from town on Tuesday.
But you still got it. Nice work.
And cool pictures.


Jcwhite
User
Rest day
6/11/2009 4:26am
Glad you took one before the big weekend. Nice work.


COmedic04
User
”Climbers down here!!!”
6/12/2009 7:11am
Great TR! I was one of the climbers coming up as you guys got to the junction of the right/middle branches! :D (You‘re welcome for the boot pack, although some of it was probably d_baker‘s...we used it, too! :wink: ) After watching you guys, I wondered if you were fellow 14ers.com‘ers, you provided us a great opportunity to take a break and watch you take your first few turns out of the chute! Looked like a blast! Fantastic TR and incredible pics! I‘ll be putting up my TR tonight!


Carl
User
Another great trip report!
5/2/2011 2:23pm
Cool half day. Nice to see conditions are still looking good as I‘m planning to ski the Y on Saturday. What time did you drop in? Good luck on Rainier!


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