Sierra Trip Reports

Location: Halls of the Gods Couloir, Indian Cliff Chutes (Angora Peak)

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010

Skiers: Bob & Nick

Photographers: Nick (unless otherwise noted as Bob)

Weather: On Saturday a small Low system was moving through the Tahoe region. Skies were grey-bird, with light winds out of the E/SE. Around mid-afternoon, light snow showers quickly move in and out of the area (with little to no accumulation).

Synopsis:

After hitting Halls of the Gods Couloir last year with Frank and Coling in very good snow conditions TR Here, I knew I had to get back during good snow conditions. Only this time, definitely better to take the appropriate route up the ridge between Angora and Echo Peaks. Shaved off a good amount of time (at least an hour and ½) off the approach time.

Here is a macro-perspective of Halls of the Gods Couloir. The Main Halls of the Gods Couloir is the left X in the front (with 3 distinct entrances). Mini Halls Couloir is the X to its immediate right. The X in the background is the summit of Echo Peak. Photo: Mike from The Backcountry

Our transportation. Note Bob’s setup is much heftier than mine. Add in the fact that he tours in Alpine boots, his setup is weighing in at 137.32 lbs more! Photo: Bob

Bob skinning from Wintoon Road towards Echo Peak, with the remnants of the Echo Fire:

Echo Bowl looking pretty good.

Nick working his way up. Photo: Bob

Bob skinning up through the giant pines, rocking his essentially camo Arcteryx gear:

It was grey-bird throughout the day, but the views of Lake Tahoe were great nonetheless:

The lower portion of Angora Bowl.

The crowns at the top of Echo Peak are getting enormous! Photo: Bob

A view of Ralston Peak from the backside of Echo Summit. We could barely make out the crown from the slide reported last week. New snow has mostly covered the runout. Photo: Bob

Standard skin-track stoke for my standard TR:

The Summit of Indian Cliff Chutes in the foreground, with Angora Peak summit behind to the right, and the summit of Tallac off to the left. Falling Leaf Lake down below, before the big lake.

Nick on the summit. Photo: Bob

Every TR needs the “Look Away and Point Shot”. Insert here. Photo: Bob

The first member of the party of 4 before us dropping we. We all essentially summited at the same time (Bob and I via skinning around Echo Peak, the group of 4 booting up one of the Couloirs from Falling Leaf Lake):

Another member of that party dropping into left Halls:

Bob and I individually dropped into middle Halls. At the 1/3 way point, there is a safe zone that has a ramp that you can cut over to the right Halls. Bob eventually cut over.

Bob dropping into middle Halls:

Bob looking down ½ through Halls. Photo: Bob

Nick dropping into the upper portion. Photos: Bob

I am clearly pleased with Halls! Photos: Bob

Bob after cutting over to right Halls:

Bob getting closer to the choke-point on right Halls:

Bob looking down at the choke-point on right Halls. Photo: Bob

From my perch at the 1/3 point safe zone referenced above, I decided to continue down middle Halls. Looking down the line:

Bob on the lower portion of Halls (when all three entrances above converge):

Nothing like steep couloir skiing in great, fresh, cold pow!

Nick descending the lower exit. Photo: Bob

Bob opening up on the apron. The snow was phenomenal, untouched pow in the right lines.

Flat light doesn’t matter. Bob still manages to throw a pow spray for the camera!

Looking out towards Falling Leaf Lake from the base of Halls. Photo: Bob

Looking back at Halls (left and middle) and Mini Halls (to the right). Photo: Bob