Fourth Time Is A Charm

Randosteve negotiates the wave entrance in the Sneaker Couloir.
Click all photos for larger image.

Sometimes I get obsessed with a ski line, especially one that I haven’t skied before. For the past few weeks, it’s been a line called Sneaker Couloir, which has taken me four tries to ski. The first try, and about 3-4 weeks ago, my partner and I turned around and took the easy way down due to zero visibility and high winds at a col and the start of the descent. My second attempt was with the same partner and we turned around even lower, due to a ground blizzard and frigid temperatures. I was solo for the third try, and as I pulled my skins below 9500′ under blue skies but ripping winds, I watched another party get destroyed by a snow tornado on a Grand Teton speed descent attempt. (Yeah, they inevitably turned around too.) But finally, under marginal, in and out visibility, the fourth time was a charm and I finally scored a scratchy, but fun descent of the Sneaker Couloir over the weekend. Here are some photos from the day.

Sidestepping past a rocky windblown section

A couple low angle turns before the couloir proper.

Scoping the Sneaker.

The Sneaker Couloir.

The Tetons at their finest.

Reed Finlay slides in.

Skiing to conditions.

I like this shot.

Looks wicked short in this shot, but a fun couloir for sure!