This winter is a bit of a transition for me from competing into doing more ski mountaineering. I have always loved to ski in the higher peaks, but have not been able to fully dedicate my time to that goal, because of competing on the Freeride World Tour and running a business. This year I came up with about 12 objectives in the high peaks of the Tetons, Snake River Range and the Wind Rivers. The winter has been great so far, but the conditions have been hit an miss due to changing temperatures and storms coming in with lots of wind. I have not checked off any of my objectives yet but have had two great days getting up into the high country and checking everything out. Yesterday I skied a new couloir I have not skied off of Disappointment Peak (11,618) in the Teton Range called The Spoon. With the last storm depositing around 3 feet of snow, we were a little weary of the conditions, but dug a pit at the bottom and found stable snow conditions.
Aaron booting up The Spoon
As we made our way up the couloir the snowpack became harder, we ascended past the crux and onto the snowfield below the summit of Disappointment Peak. The views from this point were breathtaking we had 360 degree views looking at Teewinot, Middle, Nez Perce and South Teton. Endless routes to ski! When I ski or climb in the mountains I am always a little nervous until I am at the bottom so I did not enjoy the views for to long! We skied the upper snowfields down to the entrance of the Couloir it was great corn skiing on the top, which you would not expect for middle of January. Dropping into the couloir is the steepest and then it eases up as you ski down, the snow was hard but easy to edge. Skiing down and into the Amphitheater Cirque was amazing! The ski down to the valley floor rewarded us with some great powder in the trees. As far next weeks objective we will just have to wait to see what mother nature has in store. I am stoked to be getting into the Tetons more this season!
Skiing the Spoon Couloir!
I love these mountains this much
