Skywalker Couloir (Snow/AI)

Today I climbed the Skywalker Couloir on South Arapaho.  Overall, this is a great snow-climb that provides a great alternative to the S. Arapaho summit access trail.  The climb today provided extremely firm moderate to steep snow climbing as well as some bits of alpine ice (no greater than AI2).  Despite our 4AM departure and 7 hour push, we had a great time.

See photos below!

Alex

Above the first easy mixed bit, looking up the col.

Looking back down at Amanda and the valley below

My first ice screw anchor.  This thing was bomber (I think?)

The suspended rope gives good detail regarding the steepness of the upper portion of this col.

Amanda looking back down at the direct finish.  Glad we took the "escape" route.

Our line followed the snow up and to the left, into some nice (and easy) mixed climbing

Hanging out by the creek after out successful climb!