It looks like summer is the new winter?! Not a very attractive trend. Our neighbors to the north, The Tetons, seem to be the only mountains in the west that are being favored this season. I’ve been emailing with folks and keeping an eye on weather and stability in hopes of coming up to ski in the Grand Teton National Park. This past weekend it all came together for 3 big days of ski mountaineering bliss.
Day 1- V Notch and Apocalypse Couloirs
Apparently word is out and folks from all over are converging on friends sofas. Luckily Adam Fabrikant had room on the 5ft blow up mattress. I’ve never met ANYBODY more obsessed with skiing big lines than Adam. He’s a fanatic about the gear, the history and the doing of this thing called ski mountaineering. He stayed up late into the evening texting with friends and guides, thumbing through guide books, and browsing blogs for the latest beta so we would make the “right call” on what to ski the next day. Ty Guarino mentioned the Apocalypse, but that wasn’t enough for Adam. He wanted to include the nearby V-Notch chute and then tag the Apocolypse.
Skiing in the park pretty much means starting in the dark. Long flat approaches are well worth it. The sun coming up on the Apocalypse.
Brian Campbell AKA “wolfie” skinning out of the valley.
We followed the old skin track past Son of Apocalypse and then contoured around to go have a peek at the V-Notch
The rocky choke near the top appeared to be passable, but it was hard to tell for certain. We dropped the rope and some gear and with lighter loads we put in the track.
Chute rhymes with boot.
The settled pow was great for the up and boded well for the down. Adam smiling on the outside, but fuming on the inside that someone else was breaking trail AND capturing it.
The chute narrowed and we worked though a short icy patch. Ty went on ahead to inspect what we knew was the end of the line. The overhanging rock was over our heads if you will. It looked like we could scratch our way up some rock and thin snow on the climbers right, but that would take a long time with a party of 4 and then we’d have to rappel on the descent. A group decision was made and that decision was to ski.
Over the years I’ve developed some pretty hard rules for myself in regards to the mountains. Only go with partners you know and trust is one. I broke my rule all weekend by skiing with 5 new partners. Sometimes it’s good to break your own rules. I met some highly capable partners that I hope to travel with in the future. Wolfie seems like he’s OK with the decision to click in and allow gravity to do what it does best.
The snow was soft with a little wind slab to keep you on your toes.
Waiting and watching not so patiently!
Looking back at the line after a little picnic in the sun.
All of the crew was relatively new to the Tetons and both these lines were virgin territory for us all. Exploring and figuring out new terrain is one of the huge draws to this activity. The entry to Apoclalypse was easy to spot. Ty with miles of smiles as he begins the first of 3 rappels.
A change of scenery. A change of partners. A change of climate?
Two thumbs up for three nuts hanging out on three nuts in one crack.
The best part about rappelling is when it’s over. That secure feeling of clicking back into skis on chalky snow is very reassuring. Ty committing to the line and his powerful tele turns. Fun to see someone ripping on pins in the backcountry.
What a classic line! Nice and steep with towering walls
Thanks to Adam’s research we knew that the lower section was filled in and wouldn’t require another rappel. It was still a little icy and narrow and required some side stepping.
“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”
-Alan Watts-
I couldn’t stop staring at the ice and enjoying this line all the while feeling like I’ve been wasting my years in the Wasatch. That’s a mean thought and I’d probably get myself killed if I had this dangerous playground so readily available on a daily basis.
We skied, skated, skinned and raced each other back to the truck. A perfect first day to the trip!
Good point about an early death in AK, from any number of things.
Coming back? Not sure………..two or three years?
I wonder if we’ve all been wasting our years in the lower 48.
Hard not to feel that way Derek! Probably wouldn’t survive long though with that much trouble so easy to get into. Speaking of trouble, when you coming back? Love following you and the Mongolian Fam. You’re living right!