The West Hourglass Couloir begins at 11,400 feet on the West Ridge of Nez Perce, averaging about 1,000 feet of 40 degree fall-line couloir skiing with a 50 degree crux, and an even longer runout. In full, the line is quite simply 2,200 feet of Teton bliss, an absolute classic Teton powder descent. The striking... Continue Reading →
Sub-Four Hours in the Four Hour Couloir (+ recon photos) – Shadow Peak/Nez Perce, Grand Teton N.P. (12.16.22)
On December 16th I got out for my first steep ski of 2022/23 in the ever-popular Four Hour Couloir on Shadow Peak. Not surprisingly it was well hacked by at least three parties, but the snow was soft enough for an enjoyable and quick morning lap before heading off to Utah for Christmas break. This was my third time skiing the Four Hour. Recon photos of the Sliver Couloir included.
Knee Deep on Nez Perce – The Sliver and East Hourglass Couloirs (Mar. 2019)
On a bitterly cold March 2019 morning, John Walker and I set off to attempt the "Nez Perce Trifecta" - skiing the Sliver, East Hourglass and West Hourglass Couloirs in a single push - a Teton ski mountaineering classic. We didn't quite hit the mark. High winds, deep snow and sub-zero temperatures pushed us towards... Continue Reading →
A Grand Attempt – “The Art of the Turn Around” – The Grand Teton and Nez Perce’s West Hourglass Couloir – Grand Teton N.P. (May 2021)
On May 9th 2021, Carl Osterburg and I attempted to ski the Grand Teton. Faced with dangerous conditions, we decided to turn around. This decision could have saved our lives.