Where the couloir reaches the road, it is a small gully. I was expecting something larger and in the dark we failed to notice it. According to the GPS we were very near it, though, so we bushwhacked up until we found it. On the way down, I took a waypoint for the entrance: 40º25.692' N, 111º40.921 W. This is where the 7.5' quad shows the stream, right where the road starts to head NW again after the "horseshoe turn"; if you are heading WNW, you have gone too far.
Also, according to Bradley's Backcountry Skiing Utah, upper CFC is only 35-40º, not 42+, and I would agree based on my observations; however, the very top has sections which I measured at 45+, but it is partly a function of snow coverage.
Finally, there is no 4th class, unless you go out of your way to take the hard way through the cliff band. There are several notches which are 3-minus at most, but look harder from a distance.
I appreciate the input, so much of what you write in a TR comes directly from your line, which others will not likely follow. So each experience is a bit different. The gully is very small and we missed it too the first time in the dark. The upper CFC angle as you commented is reported from 35-40 in Bradley's book to 50 in Wasatch Tours III. Our measurement was 42-degrees and steeper depending on exactly where you exited the couloir. I'll update the CFC page with your obs. The 4th class is in the cliff band below the North summit. As you mentioned, it all depends on what line you take. You can make it easy or spicey. I'll update that as well.
In calling my post "just some notes" I hoped to make it out to be more of an "addition" than a "correction", because who is to say that my measurement or yours is the most accurate? As we agree it depends on the time and the line. I just thought I'd throw out my obs as additional data. I believe the 50º too. My measurement of 45 was rough and just an average over perhaps as many as a dozen ski turns, and it rolled over steeper than that in spots. What an awesome route! My agreement with the 35-40 a bit lower down is based on subjective judgment on my part; didn't measure it. I have to say, thanks a lot for your page, descriptions, and photos; I never would have known about this and it's because you made it look so good (and deservedly so) that I got the ambition to do it.
No worries at all, I didn't take it as a "correction". I appreciated the input because I want to put forth the best info that can be gather by each perspective.
As not mentioned in the initial route description; If you are skinning up CFC,there is nice skin track ascending up the the NW aspect tree line staying outside of the couloir. from the start gully of CFC on Timpooneke Road, continue up road around corner were the pine forest disappears and opens to an apron, Skin track ascends up and left through the lower NW apron, staying near the edge of CFC. We initially skinned up the main CFC gully before cutting over to the NW skin track around 1000'. Skin track seemed safe and protected in the tree line, less exposure than going straight up the couloir?
seanpeckham - Jun 1, 2008 2:41 pm - Voted 10/10
just some notes from our tripWhere the couloir reaches the road, it is a small gully. I was expecting something larger and in the dark we failed to notice it. According to the GPS we were very near it, though, so we bushwhacked up until we found it. On the way down, I took a waypoint for the entrance: 40º25.692' N, 111º40.921 W. This is where the 7.5' quad shows the stream, right where the road starts to head NW again after the "horseshoe turn"; if you are heading WNW, you have gone too far.
Also, according to Bradley's Backcountry Skiing Utah, upper CFC is only 35-40º, not 42+, and I would agree based on my observations; however, the very top has sections which I measured at 45+, but it is partly a function of snow coverage.
Finally, there is no 4th class, unless you go out of your way to take the hard way through the cliff band. There are several notches which are 3-minus at most, but look harder from a distance.
marauders - Jun 2, 2008 12:59 am - Hasn't voted
Re: just some notes from our tripI appreciate the input, so much of what you write in a TR comes directly from your line, which others will not likely follow. So each experience is a bit different. The gully is very small and we missed it too the first time in the dark. The upper CFC angle as you commented is reported from 35-40 in Bradley's book to 50 in Wasatch Tours III. Our measurement was 42-degrees and steeper depending on exactly where you exited the couloir. I'll update the CFC page with your obs. The 4th class is in the cliff band below the North summit. As you mentioned, it all depends on what line you take. You can make it easy or spicey. I'll update that as well.
seanpeckham - Jun 2, 2008 1:28 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: just some notes from our tripIn calling my post "just some notes" I hoped to make it out to be more of an "addition" than a "correction", because who is to say that my measurement or yours is the most accurate? As we agree it depends on the time and the line. I just thought I'd throw out my obs as additional data. I believe the 50º too. My measurement of 45 was rough and just an average over perhaps as many as a dozen ski turns, and it rolled over steeper than that in spots. What an awesome route! My agreement with the 35-40 a bit lower down is based on subjective judgment on my part; didn't measure it. I have to say, thanks a lot for your page, descriptions, and photos; I never would have known about this and it's because you made it look so good (and deservedly so) that I got the ambition to do it.
marauders - Jun 5, 2008 8:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: just some notes from our tripNo worries at all, I didn't take it as a "correction". I appreciated the input because I want to put forth the best info that can be gather by each perspective.
Betacom - Apr 27, 2013 3:07 pm - Hasn't voted
CFC trip notesSplitboard descent 4/24/13,
As not mentioned in the initial route description; If you are skinning up CFC,there is nice skin track ascending up the the NW aspect tree line staying outside of the couloir. from the start gully of CFC on Timpooneke Road, continue up road around corner were the pine forest disappears and opens to an apron, Skin track ascends up and left through the lower NW apron, staying near the edge of CFC. We initially skinned up the main CFC gully before cutting over to the NW skin track around 1000'. Skin track seemed safe and protected in the tree line, less exposure than going straight up the couloir?
marauders - May 10, 2013 12:27 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: CFC trip notesI added your notes to the main page. Thanks.