March 8 - McClellum Butte N. Couloir (most of...)

I long week at work left me without the desire to rustle up a partner for the day. Thought I'd just wander up part of the North Couloir for some exploring. A late, unmotivated start had me leaving the car at 10 a.m., but luckily a group of 3 were in front.  Mostly followed their skin track, but the real energy savings came when it was necessary to start booting up the couloir.  Soft, heavy snow made for knee deep tracks with a few sections up to mid-thigh, still it was a cruise following their path.

I was a little spooked being by myself, so I decided I'd set a turn around time at 1 pm. That found me at the prominent rock at ~4,800 or 4,900. I'd rationalized that the party ahead was probably skiing out via the North Bowl since I hadn't seen them. Still I had a little guilt when I started down since my track pretty much obliterated the path as small rollers were set off with every turn. Conditions were very stable, so the rollers just mucked up the surface.  First half of the couloir was fun, but then the snow got really soft and heavy. Since I was skiing my spring skinny skis, it was pretty much survival turns the rest of the way.

As I neared the car there was some loud shooting >:( .  I yelled several times and they stopped as I came into view. I let them know there were other skiers still up and they stopped to wait for the others to come out.

Soon 3 guys showed up. Turns out they had skied the couloir from the top and didn't seem concerned that I had mucked up most of it. Thanks again for the boot track. Didn't make the top, but that my high point after 2 other tries, definitely the most snow I've seen in the couloir. Should be great when it firms up....