North Couloir, Rain Peak

Photo by Daniel McVey at danielmcvey.com. One of the best Gore Range Photographers I have seen. Rain Peak and its North Couloir seen as the prominent couloir center right in photo.

First light on East Thorne Peak.

Date: Jan 19th, 2014


 Two days of rest over the weekend and I was ready to get back at it. After talking with Frank Bowman and tossing around some ideas on what to ski we both decided on Rain Peaks North Couloir as a good plan. Travis Williams of course was down to join and so the plans were made. I have seen this line many times from being in the Keller area and have always been eager to check it out. One of the best things about the Gore is the lack of beta and this line is one you will not find anything about. We had heard from Gore guru Kihm Beyer that the line goes and that's all we needed to hear. Going into the unknown we packed rope/harnesses just in case and were excited to see what lied ahead. Unfortunately, the night prior Frank ended up catching a fever and so was unable to join in and so I picked up Travis at 6am and we were on the trail not too long after. We were greeted with an amazing sunrise as we worked deeper and deeper into the woods. With the weather forecasting a storm pushing in we enjoyed the clear skies while we could. The wind of course would not let up the whole day. 

Lines to ski and ride for lifetimes as the Gore views never get old...

Pushing on above treeline.

4 hours and 4k ft later we found ourselves on top of our line. I was heading out to Utah tonight and so with myself being on somewhat of a time-crunch we decided not to bag the summit. I like skiing better anyways. We snooped around and eventually found our line. The very top portion wasn't in and so we had to downclimb a ways down and around into the couloir proper. Not long we before we both transition with smiles on our faces ready to explore. 

Our entryway.

Looking down into the abyss..Does it really go??

I dropped in first into bulletproof conditions. Down I went until there was a fork in the couloir. The skiers right wasn't filled in and so a short climb onto the rib lent to the best part of the line. 

Dropping in. Photo by Travis

Photo by Travis.

The left fork. Money.

Photo by Travis.

Photo by Travis.

Snow quality throughout the couloir was all very firm besides it being a bit softer in the choke. We sure didn't complain as skiing a new line is always good enough!! We eventually made our way down and out into the meadow as we continued to soak in the beauty that surrounded us. 

Skiing out the lower.

A quick transition and snack break before we worked our way back by reascending the ridge. What seemed like forever we finally found our up track and kick glided all the way back to the truck. Another wonderful day spent in the backyard. Now off to Utah for a few days of couloir hunting in the Wasatch!!

Thanks for taking the photos Travis!!