SE COULOIR SOUTH TETON

The SE Couloir in the morning alpenglow

This trip report is from a few years ago with Jon Lewis and Jim Larue as my partners for the day.  I’ve been checking out the Tetons book lately in preparation for my week long trip, like I don’t have it memorized already. I’m excited about the Tetons again! The Se couloir is one of the classic steep descents of the Teton range, Turiano has it at 60 deg plus in his book. I don’t think it was quite that steep for us in the large winter we skied it in. It is se facing, so we got an early start.

Well into Garnet Canyon on the approach

It wasn’t looking that great weather wise as we climbed higher, there were dark grey clouds with cold and windy conditions.

Grey days in Garnet Canyon

Heading up the South Fork of Garnet Canyon

I remember the weather started to get worse, and we decided to wait it out amongst the boulders. It was in and out clouds with wind and snow mixed in, what a day to ski a steep couloir. We waited until we shivered, then decided to go higher towards the South Teton.

Skinning below the Elingwood Couloir on the Middle Teton

As we climbed higher the weather started to improve and the sun was shining for brief moments.

Jon on the saddle between the South and Middle Tetons

Jon climbs the South Teton

Jim and I nearing the summit ridge

We arrived at the summit and peered down the se couloir, it was steep, and a little loaded with snow at the top. We decided to ski in from the skiers right side and see how it felt.

Looking into the se couloir

Jim about to enter the couloir

Jon works his way down from the summit

Working my way towards the entrance

A little move to get into the se couloir

Deep in the se couloir

Heading to the narrows

Some nice powder on the apron

The couloir skied pretty well, kind of crusty powder, then it got better lower down.

Powder down from the col

Big mountain teton powder

Happy to ski powder

Jon gets some too

Jon and Jim nearing the the north fork of Avalanche Canyon

This was a great descent to bag in really fat conditions. It takes a fair bit of snow to really fill in the narrows section. If not filled in, the narrows become an icy off-width down climb or even short rappel. Thanks to Jon for most of the skiing photos, I was skiing with a canteen sized camera that only worked if the stars were aligned right. I’ll be there in a week boys, be ready!

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2 Responses to SE COULOIR SOUTH TETON

  1. Michael Nugent says:

    theoretically, the move you made to get into south tittie’s se couli marks the moment when your technical ski mountaineering skills began exceeding mine. sorry to hear the shot itself was that crusty teton powder. keep up the good work and be safe in wyoming. nuge

  2. Andy Lewis says:

    Yikes! You guys sure do like adventure! Beautiful pics! Have fun with Jon next week! keep safe!!

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