Ruby Chute 4.23.09

Ruby Chute
Ruby Peak 12,644′
Tom, Frank
Ruby Chute February 2007:

Finally reaching the conclusion that even the highest north faces were no longer holding powder snow, Tom and I turned our attention to skiing different aspects with nice corn snow. One descent that I haven’t done in quite some time is the E facing Ruby Chute on the mountain of the same name near Irwin. With our snowmobiles getting us right to the bottom of the route, we booted up the easier N ridge between Ruby and Owen in just over half an hour and geared up. For the first time in a long time, I put my harness on, as Ruby chute often holds a fairly large frozen waterfall which is better negotiated with a quick rappel. Happily, this year the landing zone was filled in nicely and the corn was perfect, so we went ahead and jumped it.

Tom on the summit with the Rocky Mountain Biological Labratory’s weather station:

Tom negotiating the upper part of the route:

Tom setting himself up for the icefall. Sadly, I missed him in mid-air:

And cruising back to the snowmobiles…

Just another great day… So psyched not to have to use a rope.

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Frank Konsella

Frank loves snow more than anything... except his wife.  He ensures his food is digested properly by chewing it 32 times before swallowing.He is a full-time real estate agent serving Crested Butte and Gunnison and would be honored to send you his monthly newsletter.

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