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Trying to get some ideas. Getting the wife more comfortable on steep snow. She does NOT like ice, so I'm looking for some good snow couloirs. We recently did Thor SE couloir, which was perfect. Another one on the list is Dade hourglass. Any other suggestions come to mind? Preferably doable as a day hike but not necessary. Oh yeah, I would probably like to keep it at 40ish degrees max.

Thanks!!

NORTH PEAK COULOIRS
2 hour hike tops. Walk off.


MT DANA
2 hour hike in... walk off possible.


RED SLATE COULOIR

The ones I have enjoyed tremendously were:

NE Couloir on Diamond Peak
NE Couloir Mount Powell ("Point Powell")
Glacier route on Mount Conness
Hourglass Couloir on Mt. Dade

They are not too steep, no rock fall and also reasonably short. Great for practicing snow climbing IMHO.

Hey Chief whats that 2nd one? It looks fun. The 3rd Red Slate??

Sweet, I see some coming up I had not thought of. Chief, any names on those ?

The second photo looks like Dana

The Chief wrote:NORTH PEAK COULOIRS
2 hour hike tops. Walk off.


MT DANA
2 hour hike in... walk off possible.


RED SLATE COULOIR

These three can be done in a day.

The Chief wrote:



To name a few that are well within a days doing.....

1. North Peak N couloirs - typically 45-50 degrees.

2. Dana Couloir - about 40-ish degrees max.

3. Red Slate N Couloir - haven't done it, ask Miguel

I would like to try the NE Couloir on Diamond Peak this spring as well. There is also an east chute which a lot of people (including myself) seem to mistake for the NE Couloir (see this thread).

I have done them all, quite a few times actually.

There is big difference in difficulty when the conditions are Sierra Bullet Ice that is found late in the season and when they are just styro Snow hard pack which one will find within the next few weeks actually.

The latter of course being far less difficult and more enjoyable to some if done early in the morning when the hard packed snow is just.....


THHHHHHHHHUUUUMP....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Perfect fun!

Yeah, it would all be before end of June probably. In case of a fall, softer snow is more forgiving.

Bloody Mtn. would be a good one also, despite the name

btw Not to hijack Bruno's thread, but has anyone gotten anywhere near the East Couloir of Basin or the Kindergarten Couloir ? How is the road ? I think my forester should get to the trailhead for Basin if there is not too much snow still by the time 108 opens in a few weeks (crossing fingers) ..

It is clearing up fast Rob. Looked at it yesterday from Mill Pond. Should be pretty clear up to the PL below Humphrey's by the end of next week at the soonest if these forecasted temps come true.

Snow is in fact melting fast around here and the Hilton Creek Jeep trail will be completely clear of snow by the end of the weekend. It is at the same altitude as the road in question.

I personally think the one's Chief mentioned (except Dana) would probably be scary for somebody just getting used to steep snow.

I'd recommend some easier snow climbs, like:

*University Pass
*Mt Aggasiz from Bishop Pass in early season can consist of a nice snow climb for part at least
*Mt Goode is a real easy snow climb from Bishop Pass Trail
*Mt Johnson's N Ridge has a short snow climb on the approach (in early season, its crap later), and some fun Class 3 on the ridge
*Mt Morgan has some nice snow couloirs above Francis lake. Just gotta avoid the easier way on the right by ridge
*Mt Dade Hourglass
etc, etc

Have Fun!
g4b

Also, the Ritter-Banner saddle is another fairly easy one .. with two nice peaks to climb from the saddle once you get there

Dana would be a good first climb. However, maybe I am slow but I need more than two hours to reach it