The Zorro Snowfield is a mythical ski mountaineering descent on the northeast aspect of Spalding Peak, a winding, unintuitive journey down 1,300 feet of steep off-camber ramps underpinned by a monstrous (nearly quarter mile wide) cliff. Sadly, our conditions didn't align for the most stylish descent, but descend we did.
MORE MAY POWDER – Spalding Peak North Snowfield – GTNP, WY (05.14.23)
The North Snowfield of Spalding Peak is yet another "steeper than it looks" and overlooked line in the South Fork of Garnet Canyon, complete with a unique summit, and on May 14th was the bearer of rarefied May powder. Skiing from just below 12,240 feet, this line could possibly be the mellowest descent from 12,000 feet in Grand Teton National Park.
50 Degrees in The Overlooked Couloir – Nez Perce, GTNP, WY (03.19.23)
The Overlooked Couloir is the lower NW Couloir on Nez Perce, topping out a few hundred feet above the East/West Hourglass's and sporting a sustained 50 degree slope for over 400 feet, above a cliff with a low crux - no falls accepted - an interesting consolation prize, and first personal descent, in the South Fork of Garnet Canyon.
Dike Snowfield & Peak 11,751′ (East Prong SE Face) – A Link-Up – GTNP, WY (03.18.23)
On Saturday I enjoyed a Garnet Canyon/Glacial Gulch link-up, skiing the Dike Snowfield to Teton Glacier, climbing to the Tallboy Col and eventually skiing the rarely descended SE face of Peak 11,751 (East summit of the East Prong). Both descents were personal firsts, a great day in the hills.
Truly Magical – Knee Deep Powder in the Ellingwood Couloir – Middle Teton – Grand Teton National Park, WY (03.14.22)
According to the late great Steve Romeo, acclaimed Teton ski mountaineer and founder of TetonAT.com, "The Ellingwood Couloir on the Middle Teton is one of the most classic steep descents in the Teton Range", and if Romeo deems it a classic, I'll give it my humble blessing too. The Ellingwood is one of the very,... Continue Reading →
Randonee’ Skis, Apocalyptic Winds and Thigh Deep Powder – Red Sentinel Couloir, Grand Teton National Park, WY (03.12.22)
The Red Sentinel Couloir has become somewhat of a Teton "trade route" the past few seasons. Why has it taken me six winters to ski this iconic line? Probably the same reason I haven't skied the Apocalypse Couloir - WHO KNOWS! On March 12th, 2022 I finally tagged the beast, scoring 100% fresh tracks in... Continue Reading →
A South Garnet Ski Traverse… In June – Cloudveil Dome, S. Teton, Peak 12,295, Cave Couloir – Grand Teton N.P. (06.2021)
June 11th was likely my last ski day of the 2021 season. Andrew Grasso and I teamed up for a traverse of Cloudveil Dome, the South Teton and a few couloirs/peaks in between - savoring the last scraps of winter.