{"id":7838,"date":"2014-05-13T14:14:01","date_gmt":"2014-05-13T20:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/?p=7838"},"modified":"2014-05-13T14:14:01","modified_gmt":"2014-05-13T20:14:01","slug":"mount-arkansas-northeast-couloir-ski-10-may-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/mount-arkansas-northeast-couloir-ski-10-may-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Mount Arkansas- Northeast Couloir Ski (10 May 2014)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In 2006, I was still a backcountry skiing &#8220;newb&#8221;.  Yet, I&#8217;d developed my intentions to ski all of Colorado&#8217;s 14ers.  In June, Dave Bourassa invited me to ski Democrat, one of the fourteeners near the Front Range.  Although we ascended via one of the worst scree fields I&#8217;ve ever encountered, the most memorable moment was when I scanned the views from the summit and laid my eyes on this:<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/10333736_arkansas-800x597.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Arkansas, near Leadville Colorado\" width=\"800\" height=\"597\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7839\" srcset=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/10333736_arkansas-800x597.jpg 800w, https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/10333736_arkansas-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/10333736_arkansas.jpg 1932w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It was Mount Arkansas, the northeast couloir.  And I knew I wanted to ski it someday. <\/p>\n<p>Of course, with 54-fourteeners already on my list, this one got pushed aside, especially after increasing my distance from this peak by moving to Crested Butte.  But, over and over again, it appeared on my wish list. And last weekend, I finally put a check-mark by Mount Arkansas.<\/p>\n<p>Frank and I rose early, in the dark &#8211; the time of night where you&#8217;re not really sure if you should call it night or morning.  We picked up our friend Susan Mol and drove three hours to the trailhead, where we met our other friend Gary Fondl.  <\/p>\n<p>We ascended the toward the ridge.  Susan.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0727susanskin.jpg\" alt=\"Susan Mol skinning\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The day was windy.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5520windyridge.jpg\" alt=\"windy day on Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><!--more READ MORE--><\/p>\n<p>Just HOW windy?  Find out for yourself;)<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/95188462\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen><\/iframe> <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/vimeo.com\/95188462\">Windy Day on Arkansas<\/a> from <a href=\"http:\/\/vimeo.com\/fourteenerskiers\">14erskiers<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\">Vimeo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Recent snowfall decorated the rocks with rime.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0734skinning.jpg\" alt=\"skinning on Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Arkansas has one mighty long ridge.  The summit lies beyond this false summit shown in the picture.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5527reststop.jpg\" alt=\"Arkansas ridge\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>From the false summit, we could see we still had a ways to go.  Here, only the very top of the couloir can be seen. Most of it is obstructed by other complexities within the peak.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0736viewofnorthcouloir.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Arkansas summit view\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So, we kept walking.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0738britsusanridge.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Arkansas ridge\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0739ridge.jpg\" alt=\"ridge\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0741garyridge.jpg\" alt=\"14erskeirs on Mount Arkansas ridge\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Finally, the summit.  Susan had to sport her cat helmet-hat.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0744susanbrittany.jpg\" alt=\"Brittany Konsella &#038; Susan Mol on the summit of Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We were able to ski right off the summit and into the couloir.  The couloir is guarded by a massive cornice, but it&#8217;s usually possible to squeeze in on the skiers right side of it.  The entrance to the couloir was steep, but still fairly easy.  Susan.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0789susanentrance.jpg\" alt=\"Susan Mol entering the northeast couloir on Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>With freshly fallen snow, the skiing was pretty good.  Gary.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0823gary.jpg\" alt=\" Gary Fondl skiing Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0825gary.jpg\" alt=\"Gary Fondl skiing\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0831gary.jpg\" alt=\"Gary Fondl skiing\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5714gary.jpg\" alt=\"Gary Fondl skiing\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Susan.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5690susan.jpg\" alt=\"Susan Mol snowboarding Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5694susan.jpg\" alt=\"Susan Mol snowboarding\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Me.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0763brit.jpg\" alt=\"Brittany Konsella skiing Mount Arkansas Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0766brit.jpg\" alt=\"Brittany Konsella skiing\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Frank.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5622frank.jpg\" alt=\"Frank Konsella skiing Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5674frank.jpg\" alt=\"Frank Konsella skiing\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I think his smile says everything&#8230;.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5650franksmile.jpg\" alt=\"Frank Konsella skiing\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Gary coming out the bottom.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0849gary.jpg\" alt=\"Gary Fondl skiing Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The turns in the apron were sweet, although difficult to see.  Me.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0887brit.jpg\" alt=\"Brittany Konsella skiing\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Susan still rockin&#8217; the craziness.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_0846susan.jpg\" alt=\"Susan Mol snowboarding\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Although short, the northeast couloir of Arkansas is a solid line.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5732northcouloir.jpg\" alt=\"view of northeast couloir on Mount Arkansas\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;d even do it again \ud83d\ude42<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/gallery\/arkansas_10may2014\/IMG_5738basin.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Arkansas, basin\" width=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In 2006, I was still a backcountry skiing &#8220;newb&#8221;. Yet, I&#8217;d developed my intentions to ski all of Colorado&#8217;s 14ers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-backcountry-skiing","category-front-range"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7838"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7844,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7838\/revisions\/7844"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}