Tundra and Tarn

Tundra and Tarn

Not truly a tarn, really a snowmelt pool on the tundra slopes leading to the summit of Thunder Mountain. Part of the Hellroaring Plateau is visible on the left, and Spirit Mountain is the peak just right of center. Beartooth Mountains, MT-- June 2010
Bob Sihler
on Jul 26, 2010 2:50 pm
Image Type(s): Scenery
Image ID: 641826

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Matt Lemke

Matt Lemke - Jan 6, 2014 7:27 am - Hasn't voted

Couloir on Spirit Mountain

That long, straight couloir running up the center of Spirit Mountain is the Dark Moon Couloir. It's a very rarely done, but awesome steep snow climb rivaling in quality with the Whitetail Couloir. The very fun NE Ridge is just right of it. Metcalf Mountain is the distant peak to the left. Some of the best alpine rock climbs in the state are on its east face. Awesome photo!

Bob Sihler

Bob Sihler - Jan 6, 2014 2:56 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Couloir on Spirit Mountain

I'd like to get back to the Beartooths but actually spend more time on the western side with the peaks around Goose Lake. When I was there in 2010, the snow was too deep and soft for anything but a postholing approach to Wolf Mountain, so I had to leave that for another time. I'd also like to explore some route possibilities on Zimmer since I've found no online beta for it (haven't looked hard, though).

Matt Lemke

Matt Lemke - Jan 6, 2014 5:20 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Couloir on Spirit Mountain

Zimmer is a cool looking peak. I haven't done it yet but I believe the standard route is the south slopes to the west ridge - Class 2-3

Have you been to Aero Lakes? Now that is one of the most beautiful places ever. Wolf Mountain is also on my list to do a couple times. Let me know if you're interested in coming to the Beartooths at all this summer. I always need people to climb with there.

Bob Sihler

Bob Sihler - Jan 9, 2014 10:01 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Couloir on Spirit Mountain

I'll have to check my Bonney guide on Zimmer. If the route on it is really just Class 2-3, then I don't know if it's worth spending my precious little mountain time on. When I was on Zimmer's south ridge in 2010 and ran out of daylight, I noticed a deep notch that definitely looked harder than Class 3. However, I didn't have time to get to it, and maybe the route you mention bypasses that.

No, never been to Aero Lakes. If I ever try the SW couloir on Granite, I guess I will.

It's my hope to be out in Wyoming in early July, but I don't think I'll be in the Beartooths. I'm looking at some things in the Absarokas, Gros Ventres, and Winds. Mostly uncharted peaks and routes.

Matt Lemke

Matt Lemke - Jan 9, 2014 10:53 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Couloir on Spirit Mountain

When you say uncharted routes are you referring to obscure 5.8-5.9 rock routes? There is about 10 routes in the beartooths that have yet to see a second ascent with no info about them anywhere. I plan to do then and put them in my guidebook but I can't find anyone who will do those types of climbs with for such a remote, unheard of area

Bob Sihler

Bob Sihler - Jan 10, 2014 11:51 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Couloir on Spirit Mountain

Mostly peaks and routes that no one climbs. I like having no beta and finding my own way. I'd be up for what you're describing if I were out that way.

Matt Lemke

Matt Lemke - Jan 10, 2014 8:33 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Couloir on Spirit Mountain

Cool! Yeah I too really like the routes no one does :)

Viewing: 1-7 of 7