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Skiing Peak 1?

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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
Well, I've been getting more and more into skiing big lines this season.

The last few days I've been pretty infatuated with trying to ski peak 1 or 2 on the ten mile range.

Im curious if anyone here has done it, what the best approach is, how long it will take, and if skins are a total necessity. I do have some snoeshoes I could use. Otherwise I might just credit card some skins and day wreckers for the spring.

My best guess is the approach would be up through J-chute out of Mt Royal in Frisco, and then just hike up along the ridge.

Any help would be great!
Mar 14 2011 5:21PM
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teleak
Posts: 2251 - Karma: 105
I'd ask TGR, NS is (mostly) clueless when it comes to this stuff. Good luck. If you need some people to do it with you, feel free to ask me i can get a group together if you need.
Mar 14 2011 9:46PM
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derpina
Posts: 2186 - Karma: 55
Not sure if you're aware that Peak 2 has the LARGEST avy path from the peak, through the trees, and almost to flats. (Can be seen from high points such as Swan Mountain Rd.)

I can imagine those peaks are very Avy prone and extremely hard to access (even once you get up J chute.) I can also see it being a bitch to get back out of.

I look at those peaks every morning while driving to Copper and dream of skiing them... Just don't think it's possible though. I've never seen it done anyway.

But what do I know. Could be way off... ha.



Mar 14 2011 10:04PM
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Randonee_Urban
Posts: 87 - Karma: 51
I'm guessing that since Peak 1 used to be a ski area, they have been skied.

You need really safe avalanche conditions (educate yourself here: http://avalanche.state.co.us/index.php), some backcountry education (hard to get level 1 this late in the season, but awareness classes are easy to find. Try REI for starters), avalanche safety equipment, and a partner aware of all of the above.

The approach i've heard about involves a skin track the woods near what used to be the lift-line that comes out of Frisco, then up the ridge to the summit. You can continue to the traverse to Peak 2 from there. My guess is Mountain Outfitters in Summit County knows the route better. Ask them.

Don't snowshoe in the skin track either. Get some skins and never look back on snowshoeing again.

Go with someone who knows what they are doing and where they are going. And since spring is the time for getting peaks in CO, and spring is upon us, get after it!
Mar 14 2011 11:35PM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
Yeah...you are way off.

http://joelbettner.blogspot.com/2010/05/peak-2-may-8-2010.html

This guy did it last spring, although pretty late, Id like to ski it with decent snow. He also approached it from the east side, I think going up a more direct route straight from mt royal would be easier/more possible. Ill go check to see of TGR has a regional forum.

Mar 14 2011 11:36PM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
Yeah, I have a level 1. Ill stop into mountain outfitters and pick their brains.
Mar 14 2011 11:38PM
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Randonee_Urban
Posts: 87 - Karma: 51
Good to know! I might be down to give it a shot a week from Thursday or Friday if weather and conditions are good. Message me if you need a partner.
Mar 15 2011 12:07AM
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MarkieR
Posts: 5337 - Karma: 98
Yo Reed. I just ordered some more touring/hiking friendly skis. I'm down to do some peak bagging. I should be back up with my new boards later this week.
Mar 15 2011 12:34AM
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derpina
Posts: 2186 - Karma: 55
That's amazingly awesome. Let me know if you decide to go. Might post up somewhere and get some shots of you!
Mar 15 2011 12:36AM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
That could be doable if I have skins and trekkers by then, great way to learn to skin haha.

Ill let you know, and Mark, you know I'd get you to go with.
Mar 15 2011 1:49PM
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travis_halverson
Posts: 1012 - Karma: 359
coming from the north is definitely going to be the easiest way to access peak 1, but that ridge between 1 and 2 is a little hairy in spots. Having been up there in the summer I can tell you that its doable, but you better be ready for some exposure.
Mar 15 2011 8:11PM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
^ id probably ski peak 1 if we approached from mt royal, the north side. In fact, i kind of have a line picked out. Who knows if its doable once you look down on it, but you never know. You in travis?
Mar 16 2011 1:23AM
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Big_Willy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 6
Its been done, just be smart. There is a trip report and video of it on TGR.
Mar 16 2011 1:25AM
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travis_halverson
Posts: 1012 - Karma: 359
Interested. As long as there is good stability.
Mar 16 2011 1:36AM
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bfnradford
Posts: 921 - Karma: 100
Peak 1 can be ascended from either ridge, but if you look closely or use binoculars you will see that the ridge from Royal/Victoria up to the top of 1 is pretty gnarly to climb across. The approach from the other ridgeline (which is a well accepted descent route) takes a long ass time, my buddy skiied it and said it took him like 7 hrs to climb it, and the exit was basically just bushwacking for a few hours in rotton snow. however, what a sick looking line...do it!!!
Mar 16 2011 2:21PM
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Ksteeze218
Posts: 2 - Karma: 10
dont do it mike i here no one has made it to the summit alive but if you do make sure you bring oxygen
Mar 18 2011 2:04PM
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MarkieR
Posts: 5337 - Karma: 98
looks like she ripped off pretty good yesterday. wouldn't have expected that.
Mar 19 2011 10:23AM
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bfnradford
Posts: 921 - Karma: 100
yeah someone triggered a slide yesterday on the east face of peak 1, some vague details on the CAIC page, sounds like everyone is fine. Side note: im skiing silver colouir of the side of buffalo mtn in the next few days, once the avy danger goes back down again. im pretty stoked been eyeing it for a few seasons.
Mar 19 2011 2:01PM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
weve been talking about silver colouir as well, have fun! Ill hopefully have my skinning gear in a week or so then its on!
Mar 19 2011 7:55PM
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Barmski
Posts: 4342 - Karma: 811
My friend Leeland just skied Peak 1 a couple days ago. I dont know where or how he got up there, but he simply told me he had to rappel into the chute. Sounds like no he didnt trigger that slide that was reported, unless he just didnt tell me.
Mar 21 2011 11:49AM
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bfnradford
Posts: 921 - Karma: 100
got blown off Buffallo trying to ski Silver couloir the other day, but made up for it and scored Shit for Brains yesterday.
Mar 23 2011 1:15PM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
nice! how was it? Definitely got shit for brains on my "list." Did you ski the whole chute in one shot?
Mar 23 2011 8:35PM
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bfnradford
Posts: 921 - Karma: 100
it was pretty good, we skinned to the very base of the chute and bootpacked up it. it ranged from wind scoured styrofoam to 10 inches of windblown pow, overall very stable though. and no i didnt ski it in one shot, I stopped at a safe spot above the choke around halfway down and waited for my buddy. good to check it off the list, that thing has stared me down for 4 years now.
Mar 23 2011 10:02PM
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Randonee_Urban
Posts: 87 - Karma: 51
Thanks for the inspiration guys. Ticked off Peak 1 back in May.



Full report on the climb:

And a little more on the descent:
Jun 16 2011 8:01PM
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Reed.
Posts: 4489 - Karma: 272
^ nice man! right after i started this thread i toe some meniscus...so ive been keeping it pretty mellow at a-basin since. But hell, its still skiable right now.
Jun 17 2011 11:51AM
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Mike.Records
Posts: 1311 - Karma: 756
Thats sweet Jon. Looks like you had a little fun slough along with you for the ride.
Jun 17 2011 3:00PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
yeah, good to see Chris Manning still gettin at it.
Jun 18 2011 4:04AM
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