WEST HOURGLASS COULOIR NEZ PERCE

West Hourglass Couloir

This was my third day in a row skiing the Tetons with Bernie and we were gettin’ it good for mid April. We skied a pow run down Glory, then the first ones up Taylor the next day, and there I was the following morning picking Bernie up at 4 a.m. We had to take advantage of the prime conditions tired legs or not. We pulled into the Taggart Lake lot and were the first car, perfect. Hard to believe after a foot  or so new, then blue skies. The only other time I skied the Hourglass was years ago in early July with Bernie. I do remember seeing Coombs in the lot and he was climbing Irenes Arete, he was pumped that we were still skiing. We made our way up the ridiculous “multi use trail” that has become of the Garnet Canyon skin track, thanks to all you snowshoeing snowboarders.

Bernie arrives in the Meadows below the Middle Teton

We began our steady ascent of the couloir by skinning the lower apron, and began booting at the junction of the West and East Hourglass. The booting was pretty good with a foot on top of a firm base. You really get a feel for the snow quality and safety by booting up what you ski. There were a couple spots with 2 foot wind loaded  surface slabs that were concerning me.

Bernie skins below the West Hourglass

We  made our way switching lead booting duty’s and were at the top in no time.

Bernie takes the lead in the West Hourglass

Bernie feeling small deep in the West Hourglass

Bernie nears the top of the West Hourglass

We transitioned to ski mode and were ready to reap the rewards. There were a few touchy wind slabs to contend with on the way down.

Bernie skis the West Hourglass

Powder in the West Hourglass

Steep skiing in the West Hourglass

The couloir skied well with a few spots of sastrugi, but mostly just great Teton powder. The apron below the couloir skied really well, and we layed down some signature tracks.

Bernie lays down some tracks below the West Hourglass

Bernie on the apron

Tired legs

Powder in the park

Bernie nears the meadows

We skied out of the meadows, and that is when my legs began to feel the last 3 days. The snow was pretty sloppy down low due to the warming and it was difficult to ski. We got back to the lot and were both real ready to take a few days off. Little did I know I only had one day rest, then an overnight trip up Leigh Canyon which turned out to be a great recon mission. I’m heading back this weekend.

Bernie starts his rest day ASAP