Ski Descent 2: Mt Hardy, Open Fly Couloir

The Ski Sickness Descent Series continues. A worthy pathogen should be highly contagious - the Ski Sickness disease should spread - so it seemed appropriate to post Lefty's suggestion as quickly as possible. Here it is: Tight slot, loose trousers, and all...

Mt Hardy, Open Fly Couloir

Leave your long skis at home.

The impressive northeast side of Mt Hardy, safely tucked away from highway gawkers, is riddled with couloirs. Most of them terminate in 500ft cliffs, but a few breach their way down the entire 2000ft. This line near the "Nancy Drew" sub-summit is probably the best of those.



Line:
Park just south of the Easy Pass trailhead, and work your way up 3700ft from the highway to the 7480ft notch (not the lowest - which also goes, but isn't as classic). Peer over the edge, and if you see a couloir that looks like it pinches off as it steepens out of view, you're in the right place. Pinch one off, then dig through - or huck - the cornice (after assessing the snowpack of course) and try not to get claustrophobia as you will remain walled in for the next 1800ft. The narrowest bit is also the steepest (45-50 degrees), but lower down it mellows to 40 degrees. Enjoy the orange walls and the echoes.

At the bottom, ski another few hundred feet to the west fork of the Methow River. Congratulations, you're in the middle of nowhere. To return, climb back to the ridge-top by reversing your route or ascending a broader gentler basin further to the west. Or for a more scenic alternative, climb to Methow Pass, circle around the east side of Mt Hardy, and enjoy the great southwest slope back to the highway.

Looking down the narrows

Lefty lets loose.

Season:
Best in March-April, right as highway 20 opens. The longer you wait, the less your chances of powder, and the higher your chances of chunky spring avy debris getting in the way.

Thanks, Lefty!