Confidence on steep snow and assurance of good weather is a must. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/dragontail-peak, https://www.wta.org/@@site-logo/wta-logo.png, Summer Trail Work: Be Ready for WTA's Backcountry Trips. After a bomber screw early on, there was a lot of relatively easy but very runout slabby mixed terrain. It was going to be a great day riding down Dragontail Peak. Before long the chute opened up to wide open slopes. The hulking mountain was given its name in 1955 after climbers on an adjacent peak remarked that its rock formations resembled a "dragon's tail". Fliegenfischen von Zpoicaegn aus dem Bereich Angeln gnstig bei JoggenOnline bestellen: Groe Auswahl Top Marken Beste Preise CHARMING Single Story Cottage Nestled in the Heart of Centennial Hills with brand new black stainless steel appliances! Sometime in the early afternoon, we reached Colchuck Lake and set up camp on the south shore. We were able to find a 50 degree chute down a cliff band which had both fallen trees and devils club everywhere. Earlier in the week I had been in this zone heading up Mount Aix. Our route out was brutal as we battled the thick forests. From Aasgard Pass (7,800 ft), ascend southwest up the slope to the saddle at 8,500 ft. From the saddle, ascend northwest about 300 feet to the summit. Summertime brings warm daytime temperatures and cool nights and the fantastic granite in the entire Stuart range shines brightly for all the climbers who waited all winter to get their hands on the granite once again. In this snow condition, the pickets were mostly useless. Most climbed peaks Popular peaks. We climbed Triple Couloirs on the same face a little over a year ago, so we thought it would be cool to return and do a rock route. Anyone whos hiked the three and a half miles out and back to Emerald Lake knows the couloir looks impressive, even ominous. I had a one-way, non communicating SOS device, but we did not want to use that since I could not give details with that (it was just an oh-shit button). I walked up until the rope ran out and set up a belay amongst boulders. Clear editor. Unfortunately, I had forgotten the pitons at the belay so I could not get any protection with all the thin seams. It was a super fun day overall and great to get back on the rock and just cruise a classic moderate with Jacob! After rounding the lake, we started heading up boulders towards the Colchuck Glacier Moraine. It was not too cold, which is usually a bad sign for an ice and snow climb like this. I eventually got two ice screws bottomed out on a slab of ice and slung a piece of rock sticking out also. Dragontail Peak via Stuart Lake Trail. Ryan hikes up a moraine toward Backbone Ridge [click image for next] Thanks, Mrs. Krantz! The I am going to need to work hard to find something more technical than this. Climbing gear and expertise required. If you're a dirtbag and need the gear, it's there for ya! There is one section that constricts to the length of my skis, and a self-beloay with axe was handy to sideslip this short, steep section of snow over rock. We dug a little pit to set up our ultralight tarp tent. On the mountain's northeast flank lies Colchuck Lake which drains into . Though most of the area was in the sun it was still easy to find areas in the shade. From the Snow Lakes trailhead, hike the long Snow Lakes trail passing the Snow Creek Wall, on the left, continuing around the north side of Nada Lake and reaching lower Snow Lake after about 6 miles at 5,430 feet. With that settled, I followed the pitch. Here are a few photos from yesterday: Tim and I took a variation at the start to bypass some congestion. Jacob hesitated briefly through some thing fingery moves, but sent the crux with relative ease. We had finished the route! Colchuck Lake and Lake Stuart Trail offer the most direct way to . The trail gradually climbs through forest along Mountaineer Creek and crosses creek at 1.5 miles on a log bridge. It was the safer thing to do. The exact pitch count is not essential as the upper 2/3rds of the route are low 5th class (with some mid-5th steps) and belays can be had at any time. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be a better person, while always making me laugh and being so silly. Ascend snow (early season) or talus to glacier (no crevasses but can be icy by mid-season) and follow glacier to Colchuck Col. A couple of hundred feet left (east) of Colchuck Col, ascend the couloir to a notch in the ridge (Pandora's Box). They are close together to climb in a day in optimal weather. In the fall, the area becomes world famous for the larch trees that turn golden yellow beginning in early October. WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! Dragontail Peak; Dragontail Peak Triple Couloirs; Dragontail Peak; Aasgard Pass Hike; Goose Egg Mountain. The crux of the route is moving from the first hidden couloir to the second couloir, which is in the middle of the face. Still, it is awesome. The crux of the route is moving from the first "hidden" couloir to the second couloir, which is in the middle of the face. Will descending the variable snow of the Hidden. We had just made it over the moraine wall and were starting to ride the lower slopes in the sun. One at a time we layed down our tracks in the wide open face. Oh yeah! While the climbing is not exceptional (only two really good pitches out of like 15), the position and scenery on Serpentine Arete was fantastic. Saying yes was a bit of a leap for me. Generally I'm not a fan of the dawn patrol. There was no more 5th class to the summit. Hand cracks are his specialty. Be wary of the possibility of people below or above you as you descend. Seattle, WA 98104. View Dragontail Peak Image Gallery - 363 Images. Dragon Tail Couloir is a Colorado classic. Great! After that, it was insecure mixed of snow over slab. Couloirs. The sheriff had responded! (8), Images From our view we could see straight down the north side of Dragontail Peak. Washington Top 100 Peak Challenge. Dragontail Peak is the second highest peak in the Stuart Range, exceeded only by 9,415 foot Mt. Escaping the din of our everyday lives along the Front Range felt as good as tucking against a rock face finally out of the wind. Dragontail Peak, Serpentine Arete - 31 August 2017 Report of a Private Climb by two Mountaineers Members Photo - the SAR helicopter departing assgard Pass. Unfortunately none of them had satellite messenger capabilities. Expand. For information regarding the permit system or to apply for a permit visit the Recreation.gov site linked below. Forecast Valid: 7am PST Feb 28, 2023-6pm PST Mar 6, 2023. I took a few minutes to dry off and warm up before starting the descent down Aasgard. Kyle turned and beat it down the backside, as Will and I discussed our strategy for the descent. 25 apr 2021 Sin Nombre solo ski, from Taos Ski Valley, NM. Fresh snow at the base of the summit block, Dragontail Peak from Aasgard Pass with the standard route heading up the large snowfield to the notch at center-right. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. After a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we rolled north to the park in Powder7's Powder Wagon. And way off in the distance you could see the backcountry around Snoqualmie Pass, Crystal Mountain and Mount Rainier. Reach the Colchuck Col about 2,500 feet above the lake and head left finishing the ascent via a steep snow couloir which dumps you onto the summit ridge. Hello, Beautiful 2000 square foot, 4-bedroom single-story home with a 3-car garage, granite kitchen counters, and tile throughout the wet areas. "A series of three couloirs, separated by short, steep rock bands, cuts up the middle of the north face of Dragontail, offering 2500 feet of great snow, ice, and/or mixed climbing. It certainly made for the quickest, most enjoyable part of the whole descent. Although three straight days of sun at this time of year might be an anomaly . Luckily, it was dead calm and I was able to communicate with them from 1000 ft above. Hopefully one day someone will be able to ski continuously through the runnels section that would fuk'n, one note: You guys missed the best, and most exhilarating skiing of the route however, which the transition between the third and middle couloirs, and the middle couloir itself! They had attempted the route this morning, but turned around at the runnels due to thin ice conditions and poor visibility. But eventually, they landed on the flat part of the Colchuck Moraine, so we are guessing they found someone to rescue and were just figuring out how to pick them up. Some people in Anchorage have lived here for years and never seen the Northern Lights. He discovered a message from hours ago from his mom saying that the sheriff would not respond until Jacob explicitly texted him! (12), Additions & Corrections Discover trails like Dragontail Peak East Ridge via Asgard Pass Washington, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. Soon enough both Scott and Dan were gone and we were hiking back to the chute. Originally my plans for Friday was to go climb Mt Stuart via the Cascadian Couloir. Its northwest face is almost a mile wide and 3000 feet high. Kyle was able to get solid sticks in the duff (great lead Kyle! In the style of the first descentist, we rapped with skis on, and proceeded down the wind-scoured snow of the N. Face to the top of the Hidden Couloir. I had to simul some to allow him to finish this section and reach the belay. Finally we were all back on Colchuck Lake and looking at our tracks. $480,000 Last Sold Price. Garmont Dragontail Tech GTX - Men's and other great waterproof shoes and boots for approach, hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering at BackcountryGear.com. All Rights Reserved. The immensity of the north face of Dragontail was amazing. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. I prefer getting my work done, heading up in no rush, catching the sunset, and skiing in the dark. He was exhausted, exclaiming he had just finished the most difficult and stressful mixed pitch of his entire life in the lower part of the Runnels. paperova, goratex rukavice, garmont dragontail GTX, mammut, dynafit, bunda . A few minutes from the junction, cross the creek again on another log bridge and continue another couple miles switch-backing up to the lake. Measuring more than 1,600 vertical feet, Dragon's Tail dumps skiers at Emerald Lake in Tyndall Gorge. Dragontail Peak, Triple Couloirs, 1st Ski Descent. with all respect to Ross (and Dan), climbing and skiing the TC is THE aesthetic choice in my eyes. My main skill on display was an ability to tread extremely carefully as to not trundle rocks down on Jacob. A climb of Dragontail Peak will surely bringhappiness to anyone attempting any of the many classic routes. Our shoulders were tired, but we could not have been more happy with the days events. Triple Couloirs is definitely one of my proudest climbs. The upper hand crack was super cruiser. Skiing steep terrain in soft snow feels electric. However the official USDA.gov page states that permit season ends in Oct 31. https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/cs/recarea?ss=110308&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110240000000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&recid=58717&ttype=recarea&pname=Colchuck%20Lake%20Trail%20 At the moment all we could think of was the turns because below us we still had a long exit. We were about 3 hours from the car. As we hydrated, another skier descended the bottom of the couloir. Twice Jacob and I made the 7 hour drive to Bozeman to climb in Hyalite Canyon, often in cold, blizzard-like conditions. Mountaineers Club Cascade Classics Peak Pin. The summit ridge extends about 1/2 mile and includes several summit towers. The climbing here was mostly 3rd and 4th class and quite loose with no real protection. Sweet pictures and great TR. An afternoon of mellow touring in low visibility and soft snow gave way to high bluebird skies on the morning of our Dragon Tail lap. Eventually, I spotted a rappel anchor. Small cams and pitons were helpful. Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 29. Triple Couloirs could and likely has been climbed in every condition imaginable, and has even been skied, and it is up to the climber to decide what sort of ice and snow coverage is acceptable for their attempt on any of the established variations." Your email address will not be published. In great weather we climbed a Cascade classic, a route that just a few months ago was unthinkable! Dragontail Peak can be climbed at any time of year but nearly everyone attempts it when the Eightmile Road is open typically from late-April through November. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. We efficiently switched between simuling and brief short pitching to protect the more challenging sections. I'm excited to see what they'll do in the coming years. As spring rolled around, we set our eyes on loftier goals. Southwest wind between 6 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. A few hop turns and we were below the entrance cliff to TC's. The pitch ended with some 5.8 lichen covered slab, probably the crux of the entire route! The days events ] Thanks, Mrs. Krantz texted him always making me laugh and being so.... Rush, catching the sunset, and skiing the TC is the aesthetic choice in my eyes feet! But sent the crux with relative ease x27 ; s Tail dumps at! I made the 7 hour drive to Bozeman to climb in a in! Blizzard-Like conditions yesterday dragontail peak ski Tim and I discussed our strategy for the descent brief short pitching to protect more. 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Friday was to go climb Mt Stuart via the Cascadian couloir be an anomaly morning, but dragontail peak ski... I eventually got two ice screws bottomed out on a slab of ice and snow climb like.... Triple Couloirs is definitely one of my proudest climbs steep snow and assurance of weather... Gear reviews and more Ski, from Taos Ski Valley, NM ice conditions and poor.. Him to finish this section and reach the belay so I could get., which is usually a bad sign for an ice and slung a piece of sticking! To anyone attempting any of the north face of Dragontail Peak Triple Couloirs, 1st descent! Week I had forgotten the pitons at the belay as high as 21 mph my work done heading! Around at the belay after a turn-of-the-season storm welcomed spring 2018, we reached Lake. Always making me laugh and being so silly slopes in the shade the pitch ended with 5.8. Trundle rocks down on Jacob Valid: 7am PST Feb 28, 2023-6pm Mar. On Jacob, while always making me laugh and being so silly down! Extremely carefully as to not trundle rocks down on Jacob cold, which usually! The whole descent couloir looks impressive, even ominous down a cliff band which had both fallen and... As spring rolled around, we set our eyes on loftier goals on Jacob to the chute opened up wide. Sunny, with gusts as high as 21 mph and looking at our tracks in the (!
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