Sierra Trip Reports

Locations: Matterhorn Peak – Skiers Dream Chute and East Couloir

Dates: Saturday, Sunday, March 28 – Sunday, March 29, 2009

Skiers: Frank & Nick

Photographers: Nick (except where otherwise noted as Frank)

Weather: Saturday was fairly warm, with highs in the 40s. Late Saturday night, the winds picked up (with gusts in the 40-60 mph range were we camped at approximately 10,000 ft.). Temps dropped to about 15 at night, and then Sunday the high was in the mid-30s.

Avalanche Conditions: We found the snow to be very stable. During the skin in through Horse Creek drainage, there were signs of past wet snow point release slides from earlier in the week. However, temps were not high enough to cause any concerns for wet instabilities.

The snow in the actual couloirs (both North facing) was a combination of some wintry pow, but mostly wind affected. On the ski out on Sunday, we found good corn below 10,000 ft..

The Sawtooth Range from 395. Photo: Frank:

Frank starting the approach through the Mono RV Park:

Frank on the skin up through Horse Creek Drainage. Matterhorn is visible:

The Objectives. Skiers Dream is the hourglass on the left, and East Couloir is the chute to the immediate lookers left of the summit:

Frank leading the charge up to the platform between Twin Peaks and the Matterhorn:

At this point, I was about an hour behind Frank on the skin track. I was wearing a new pair of Garmont Radiums that are way too small for me in the toe box. About 45 minutes into the trip my feet were killing me, and at this point both feet were numb and swollen. It would stay this way for the remainder of the trip.

Looking out towards Twin Peaks. Note the tent by the boulder in the foreground. Only other group we saw in the general area over the weekend. No one was up by us on Saturday afternoon or Sunday:

Cool rock formation, with The Cleaver out behind in the distance:

Ray of light hitting the Matterhorn. We set up camp in the last batch of trees on the platform (approximately 10,000 ft.):

When we arrived at camp, my toes (and endurance) put me out of commission skiing-wise for the remainder of the day. Comfortable with snow stability, Frank went ahead solo to ski Skiers Dream, while I stayed behind to set up camp.

Cool spires on the way up Skiers Dream. Photo: Frank:

Frank looking down Skiers Dream. Photo: Frank:

Frank skied back into camp to find me in a pit 5 feet deep, and 6 feet by 10 feet. He laughed at the utter size, but I think we were both pleased with the result when the winds got up to 60 mph that night. Photo: Frank:

Frank getting the kitchen prepared. Thanks to Colin for the Kiva Light. In the future, definitely need more platform space for that thing. The setup was very awkward given the limited space, but I anchored the hell out of that thing as the winds were picking up:

Dusk from camp:

Melting some snow. Photo: Frank:

Note to self: Next time bring a 2nd fuel canister. I forgot how much fuel you use melting snow at high altitude with serious winds to contend with (hence, a lot of pumping of the simmer light to keep the flame strong and contained). Definitely picking up a JetBoil for winter camping rather than a Whisperlight.

Frank starting skinning on Day 2 up to the East Couloir. My Feet Prognosis – Not Good. Skiing Prognosis – Absolutely happening:

Frank below the main rock formation in the center of the picture. Cloud cover rolled in quickly, but then broke during the boot up:

Looking up the West Couloir. We debated it, but went up the East. Will hit the West at another time for sure. Photo: Frank:

Frank booting up the East Couloir:

The Eastern Sierra, and Sawtooths in particular, just have some amazing scenery and awesome rock formations:

Looking down from the top of the East Couloir. I waited below the rock scramble as Frank hit the top, took some pics, and down climbed. Photo: Frank:

Looking South from the top of the East Couloir. In the first pic, Tuolumne Meadows of Yosemite National Park is visible as the treed area in the distance. Photos: Frank:

Frank downclimbing:

Nick topping out to the platform for skis. Photo: Frank:

Frank descending the upper portion of the East Couloir:

Nick dropping in. Photos: Frank:

Frank in mid Couloir:

Nick. Photos: Frank:

Right about here Frank broke the tail of his right ski on a shark fin:

What do you do when you have no tail on your right ski? You point and shoot the apron at mach 10 to the other side above camp:

Frank showing the damage:

And the “fix”. Photo: Frank:

Nick with the victory-point. Photo: Frank:

Another fun chute on the way out. Good corn as we got lower. Not so much fun for Frank with the broken tail on his ski.

I was having fun until too sharp a turn + heavy pack = FACE PLANT!!!! Photos: Frank:

Back up the chute:

Good scenic:

We end where we began: