Cooke City Day 2 – The Fin

(Last Updated On: April 17, 2018)

After gaining our bearings in the Cooke City area the first day, we had our sights on a few different lines. But, weather would determine what we chose to ski. When we awoke the next morning, it was code blue, and the Fin on Republic sucked us back in.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Frank and I headed out with our friends Tony and Doug. We made the slog through the forested skin track which eventually opened up to this:
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Yes, the Fin had been skied – quite a lot lately. But, the tracks didn’t make it any less alluring. These “spines” looked particularly interesting.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

From the eastern side of the basin, there are several ways to approach the Fin, which lies on the west side. Not being very familiar with the area, we were happy to skin all the way around on the ridge to check out other potential ski lines, both near and far.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Woody Ridge.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Abiathar.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

The couloirs that lead off the summit of Republic tempted us, but we decided to save those for another day.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

But, the Fin was simply beautiful.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

The boys, at the top of the Fin, ready to ski.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Somehow, I convinced them to let me go first 🙂
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

I let out a long-drawn “woot”. The snow was as good as it gets.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

From below, it was difficult to get pictures, except for the lower, more playful terrain. Frank.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Doug.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Tony.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

At the bottom, there was no discussion. We were going back up for more. The skin track, already well-established, was both beautiful and intimidating.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

But the second run was just as delicious as the first. Tony.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Though the light was turning flat from an approaching front, Frank ventured over to the spines we drooled over. He has dubbed them State Line Spines, as these lie on the border between Wyoming and Montana. He started out in Wyoming…..
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

And crossed the border into Montana a few turns later….
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

But, the day was not yet done. We still had to make our way out of the basin, and descend the couloirs we skied the previous day. The skin.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

The ski.
Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Backcountry skiing near Cooke City, Montana

Republic delivered and we skied three fantastic runs that day. With it’s easy access and proximity to the town, it beckons skiers who arrive in Cooke City. But, we knew a whole lot more was waiting for us. We just had to head a little bit more northeast. We went to bed with dreams of powder turns in our heads…..


Update: In April, 2018 our friend Tony perished in an avalanche skiing solo outside the boundaries at Bridger Bowl. Tony was a great person and we miss him greatly.


Cooke City Posts:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

Brittany Walker Konsella

Aside from skiing, biking, and all outdoorsy things,Brittany Walker Konsella also loves smiles and chocolate 🙂 Even though she excels at higher level math and chemistry, she still confuses left from right. Find out more about Brittany!

Summary
Article Name
Cooke City Day 2 - The Fin on Republic
Description
With it's easy access and proximity to the town, the Fin on Republic it beckons backcountry skiers who arrive in Cooke City.
Author

Brittany Walker Konsella

Aside from skiing, biking, and all outdoorsy things, Brittany Walker Konsella also loves smiles and chocolate :) Even though she excels at higher level math and chemistry, she still confuses left from right. Find out more about Brittany!

10 thoughts on “Cooke City Day 2 – The Fin

  • March 1, 2013 at 12:08 am
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    Wow, what amazing terrain and a great day out!

  • March 1, 2013 at 10:33 am
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    Damn!

  • March 1, 2013 at 2:04 pm
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    Damn. show up from Colorado and start naming shit? Bold.

    I guess thats par for the course from my experiences with folks from down there…

  • March 1, 2013 at 6:54 pm
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    Take it easy there Scott. Perhaps the language was too strong. We’re certainly not implying that anybody else would ever call something what we call it, or should be an official name- or that locals don’t already have their own name for it. It just sounded cool since those lines literally lie on the stateline, which is pretty unique and interesting in our view, so calling them “stateline spines” just seemed fun and drew attention to that fact. People have their own pet names for things all the time- doesn’t mean a thing. Besides, those spines are just a little speck in the grand scheme of things- in Cooke City or the greater Yellowstone area.

    Sorry you’ve had bad experiences with “folks from down there”. Might be the attitude.

  • March 1, 2013 at 11:15 pm
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    Seriously scott, lighten up. Thanks for posting the shots. Looks great.

  • March 2, 2013 at 11:04 am
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    Wow, the nerve of Frank for not consulting the local bro bra committee on all the proper names for every little poke.

  • March 2, 2013 at 12:45 pm
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    Just wanted to chime in here to aggressively roll my eyes at Scott.

  • March 3, 2013 at 11:34 am
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    Happy the conditions cooperated for you guys. Great pics and writing.

  • March 3, 2013 at 11:49 pm
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    Yay for catsitters!

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