2/9/10, CJ Col
2/9/10
2806
12
Thanks to those who make this possible.
Ditched my plans to head up eldorado when 3 am and the thought of crossing the river and looking for the trail rolled around. I hoped to do it the night before, but got in late.
I slept in a little and had a nice breakfast and decided to just head up the road to cascade pass then sahale.
2 miles of road hiking, and one false start snow patch later, I was on continuous snow... very firm snow. easy skinning, but the wind was working over time. After an hour or so of getting a good facial abrasion, I decided to head back and see if the walls in between cascade and j-berg would shield the winds.
Lots of avi debris everywhere, especially a lot in the exit. once up in there, the conditions improved quickly. Wind was non existant, and booting with pons was mostly easy going with only a few gripping parts. the higher I got, the more the wallowing.
It seemed like someone was at the top dumping barrels of sugar down the gut. My idea of following my boot pack back down was disappearing with my trace. or without a trace.. something like that.
I stayed looker right for the whole affair. first 1/3, blower. second 1/3, more then enough on crust. then dust on crust, and finally exited on dust on debris. Fortunately the huge gouges the last slide left where nicely cross loaded and I was able to make it to the tow with out much pain.
Ditched my plans to head up eldorado when 3 am and the thought of crossing the river and looking for the trail rolled around. I hoped to do it the night before, but got in late.
I slept in a little and had a nice breakfast and decided to just head up the road to cascade pass then sahale.
2 miles of road hiking, and one false start snow patch later, I was on continuous snow... very firm snow. easy skinning, but the wind was working over time. After an hour or so of getting a good facial abrasion, I decided to head back and see if the walls in between cascade and j-berg would shield the winds.
Lots of avi debris everywhere, especially a lot in the exit. once up in there, the conditions improved quickly. Wind was non existant, and booting with pons was mostly easy going with only a few gripping parts. the higher I got, the more the wallowing.
It seemed like someone was at the top dumping barrels of sugar down the gut. My idea of following my boot pack back down was disappearing with my trace. or without a trace.. something like that.
I stayed looker right for the whole affair. first 1/3, blower. second 1/3, more then enough on crust. then dust on crust, and finally exited on dust on debris. Fortunately the huge gouges the last slide left where nicely cross loaded and I was able to make it to the tow with out much pain.
Nicely done, way to get it in safe conditions. Pure ski tour, as opposed to the 'shwack of your other choice. Thanks for the report and great photos!
Nice work! That line had me mesmerized on El D every time I turned my head around. I've heard it's called the CJ couloir (Cascade/Johan).
Good call Scott. I recall that line looking good from across the way. I'd take that and a good breakfast anyday!
Awesome. That is a beautiful line on an intimidating peak. I've had several trips to the Boston Basin during warm spring and summer days, when the C-J coulior looks like certain death due to all the ice coming down. Fun to watch from camp, though. Looks like winter is the time to be there.
Nice to see that line getting traffic.
"There is an added richness in reflection upon the history of a route."
Wow, I wasn't aware. I guess I never dove deep enough into your patient history. I was researching some recent mild symptoms of my own, but I was focusing more on acute colchukitis. I thought getting away for the day would help. I guess it's progressing... Thanks for the infection... and for the added richness.
I drooled from across the way too. It is pretty mesmorizing. Sorry I don't have a more ispiring reporting style and lack for the lack of more photos. My camera froze up during the 3 hours I was too scared to do anything but focus on climbing.
Wow, I wasn't aware. I guess I never dove deep enough into your patient history. I was researching some recent mild symptoms of my own, but I was focusing more on acute colchukitis. I thought getting away for the day would help. I guess it's progressing... Thanks for the infection... and for the added richness.
I drooled from across the way too. It is pretty mesmorizing. Sorry I don't have a more ispiring reporting style and lack for the lack of more photos. My camera froze up during the 3 hours I was too scared to do anything but focus on climbing.
It's all about the skiing and it sounds like you nailed that part! Must've been a fun solo. That Helmstadter character soloed it last year.
aah, so you were the ones with a green truck that we were hoping would come back to give us a jump! we were eyeing it from accross the way. looked nice!
Yes, very cool you got up there. Christy and I skied that just after Dan did it (link). It was my 3rd time up the route with skis and the second time skiing it. Sky and I certainly had an awesome time wallowing up that route. Good times.
No partner for this badboy eh? Did you sleep in 'til 4AM? ::)
Let me know if you want to do something Tu 2/16. I got a tentative with overthhills.
Let me know if you want to do something Tu 2/16. I got a tentative with overthhills.
Speaking of history, the C-J Couloir is one of those ski lines with a fuzzy history. I have emails from two different sources (Tim Matsui and Geordie Romer) who reported seeing ski tracks in the C-J Couloir in about 2001. Neither of them knew who made the tracks. On my ski history website, I list the 2003 descent as a "strawman" in hopes that somebody will send me more information. This situation exists for several other routes, including the Coleman Headwall.
Scotty, nice job man! You musta had a lot of potatoes and vitamin gummies. ;)
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