Trooper Traverse 2006 – Part Two

Post by WildSnow.com blogger Lou Dawson | May 16, 2006      

Camp in North Fork Lake Creek. Scott carried a small BD tent that worked well. Route crosses Continental Divide, via John Jay Pass on the ridge in the background. This was the evening that Mike’s Silvretta Pure binding broke, so we had some excitement doing field repairs. The weather had been unstable since day one, but we got a report via sat-phone that said it would stabilize tomorrow so we went to bed optimistic.

I’m cozy in a zero rated Marmot down sleeping bag, with BD Winter Bivy cover. The sky cleared that night and we had a low of 16 degrees F.

Louie heading up to the Continental Divide and John Jay Pass, Darling Pass in background.

David just below the pass, following his father’s footsteps 73 years later.

John Jay Pass is actually two passes. You go over the higher one, drop to the north, then follow a sort of “shelf” west to a ridge overlooking the Lost Man drainage. Thankfully this northerly snow was incredibly solid and safe, as Colorado snow around 13,000 feet can stay “winter-like” well into spring.

Group shot above Lost Man drainage, looking at Williams Mountains (which we’ll cross in a few hours). Incredible terrain everywhere, and you’re in the middle of it! The day was bluebird, as were the remainder to the end of our trip. If you’re going to get any crumby weather, it’s best to get it at the start of the journey and end the trip on a high note of blue sky. Excellent it worked out that way, though I was a bit undergunned as to sunscreen and got somewhat cooked. Turned out the 30-block I brought behaved more like 15 block (it was one of those sunscreens that’s more like moisturizer lotion than anything else, which I thought might be a good idea while planning for the trip. Woops.) Note, I’ve tried all sort of sun blocks and in my opinion the best for extreme spring skiing conditions is still Banana Boat Maximum SPF50. Wish I’d had it with me. SPF 50 might sound like a joke if you’re spending a few hours outside on a chairlift, but during a ski traverse you can spend 12 or more hours a day in bright reflected sunlight and need more than the normal protection.

Heading down Lost Man to the Williams, gliding on skis and making a few turns gets you a couple of miles along the route in just a few minutes. Beats hiking.

From the crest of the Williams Mountains you take a descent we call the Trooper Couloir. It’s a fantastic ski run that Louie appears to be enjoying.

Steve smiles in the Trooper Couloir.

Rest stop in Hunter Creek below Trooper Couloir. We’ll ski a few more miles down the valley and do a snow camp for our second to last night. Check back tomorrow for Part Three, slogging Hunter Creek and luxury at the McNamara Hut.

---

Comments

  Your Comments

• Ogi Vaughn: My dream is that one day OR brings back the Trailbreaker. I obviously lead ...
• Buck: How different are these from the excellent OR Trailbreaker? Heavier? Warmer...
• Travis Nesse: This one hits close to home. I had an online retailer commit almost everyon...
• Jason Speer: I've put a pair of these through the wringer this year. I love them for ba...
• Kristian: Immediately of course. What was more amazing was that I had to point that ...
• XXX_er: I found there were 2 benefits to a horizontal pocket openning vs a vertic...
• Lou Dawson 2: Kristian, the burning question is how long it took you to realize the bindi...
• Kristian: Have experienced most of these cases; also, a pair mounted facing the wrong...
• brian harder: Reading some of these confirms my commitment to all my skis being fitted wi...
• OR: My ski shop is highly respected in SLC, very b.c. centric, and they told me...
• Lou Dawson 2: I'm working on a look at some nice pants. Nope, I'm not at the nightclub, j...
• Lou Dawson 2: Jesse, I myself have of course never done that (smile). Thanks for chiming ...
• Jesse Morehouse: One mistake Ive seen is a shop doing everything right with the heel mounted...
• Kristian: I have used the OR Sun Runner hat for many years. The cape is especial...
• Michael: I like the OR Sun Runner hat for spring touring. Its baseball cap with ear...
• Shane: When my super touristy, white cotton, $7, "Grand Canyon" hat finally wore o...
• Jack: I have similar hat with mesh side ventilation and dark under brim. Most...
• VTskier: XXX_er I have a few of those "mesh back ball caps" styles made by KAVU. Ma...
• Jim Milstein: Not so good on Wolf Creek Pass. Plenty of snow, but it is runneled and sunc...
• XXX_er: OR has a number of rain hats, I got one of their sombreo type with gortex a...
• Lou Dawson 2: Those Kokotats do look good. Thanks guys for the suggestions. Lou...
• Jonathan L: Gonna throw my vote in for the Kokotat Sunwester. Built by a kayak supply ...
• David Field: I really like the sundayafternoons adventure hat for sun protection. They ...
• Lou Dawson 2: Throwback Thursday. Updated post with the new model/name hat. Still a good...
• Lou Dawson 2: SC, it works, you can't suck out every last bit of fuel, but you can get mo...
• XXX_er: The plush side doesn't care if its wet but IMO if you don't dry the glue ...
• sc: This just might be the solution to drain out my snow blower end of season.....
• Lou Dawson 2: Hi Lia, defective skin glue has been ubiquitous in the industry for years n...
• Lia: What climbing skins are the best for steep icy conditions that don't leave ...
• Mike H: I enjoy flying drones and just bought a house in between Breckenridge and F...

  Recent Posts

• Outdoor Research Skyward 2 Pant — The Crossover
• 7 Deadly Sins of Tech Binding Mounting
• Still a Good Hat — Carhartt Boonie
• Move that Fuel Mountain Girl, or Boy
• Ski Touring News – Pointy Toes Mystery is Solved – June 2019
• The North Face L5 Futurelight Hoody Shell – Review
• Skier and Rider Party on Independence Pass 2019
• A Quick Jaunt with Futurelight — The North Face
• La Sportiva Sytron — Gnar Level .9 and That’s Good
• Wild and Foamy Camper Project — Part 3
• Tech Crampon on Hoji — Fits Like the Hendrix Headband
• Tutus and Lava — Mount St Helens Mother’s Day Ski