The close to a grueling testimony of responsibility and dedication brought a ski car camp mission to the Beartooth's to celebrate memorial day. I was very excited to have my beautiful wife Jenny along although her recovery from restoration surgery of her shoulder prevented her from skiing.
Showing up mid evening on Saturday, most spots close to the Beartooth Highway were taken. The abundance of orv's and generators motivated us to push far up the road seeking isolation from the domesticated populous. We succeeded and found a splendid camp adjacent to a low gradient section of Rock Creek, littered with boulders for scrambling fun!
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Our ski objective, June Couloir, from camp.
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| A gorgeous view from camp up Rock Creek. |
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Getting closer.
We made quick work of the elevation gain but our nerves were being tested with frequent and close lightning. It is an almost certainty that any adventure in the Beartooth's will have weather.
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Mike nearing our high point.
The lightning, coupled with the abundance of debris kicking off the top and funneling down the couloir, provoked us to click in and descend.
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| Mike McClure shredding June Couloir! |
The skiing was perfect corn and made for some great turns!
With time to spare and our marginal weather in a holding pattern, we decided to boot up the adjacent couloir. This chute appears to have a mandatory air at its bottom but careful inspection reveals a side gully around the cliff. We booted up until the steepness was beginning to scratch my nerves again so we started our descent. A very similar sensation to Bridger Bowl was experienced while skiing to the top and traversing above the cliff.
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| My highpoint on the adjacent couloir. The angle steepens significantly at the pinch. |
Our initial plan was to ski these backcountry lines on Saturday and head to the pass for some car laps on Sunday. However, typical Beartooth weather prevented our Sunday lines as a spring snow and wind storm moved in and closed the road.
A great ski adventure was had. Great camping, huge demanding mountains, and wonderful company had every time in the Beartooth's will keep me returning here for the years to come!
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| One happy camper. |
