National Bowl

National Bowl
(Three Couloirs and 7000 feet of Vertical)
Absaroka Range, Bridger-Teton Wilderness
March 10th, 2007

Matt Lloyd and I headed back up into the same area that we used to access Vianni's Hole about a month ago. This time we were hoping for better weather, visibility and a shot at National Bowl.

Visibility was a little better. This time we could almost see the tops of the mountains. We could see enough of a skinny little couloir that looked like it might spit us out on the ridge line we needed to access National Bowl. We decided to give it a whirl. Our route is marked in orange.

Matt nears the split in the rock we were hoping would take us to the top.

I climb over a hump and down into our first couloir of the day. We missed the true entrance to this couloir from the bottom. It's a very interesting one. It takes almost a ninety degree turn towards the bottom. Approaching it from the bottom you wouldn't think it would go. It does though.

A view from the couloir looking out over a ridgeline above Vianni's Hole.

Matt soaks up the scenery while waiting on me.

Matt goes up the couloir.

A look back down our boot track up the couloir.

Once on top, we motored across the ridge and decided to drop into National Bowl and have a look at things from the bottom.

My first view of National Bowl from the bottom, after the first of five great runs we'd put in before the day was over.

After the first run, we worked our way up the east side of National Bowl towards the highest end of it- kinda near French Spy Bowl. We ended up on a nifty ridgeline that worked it's way up to the top.

Matt looks west towards me going up the ridge line.

Matt heads east up the ridgeline.

Matt nears the summit.

From the summit on the ridgeline, we decide to drop a few turns.

Matt drops.

My line (on the left) and Matt just about done with his (on the right).

Our next objective.

The first turn or two into this Couloir was a little scralpy, then it got really good.

Matt drops into the National Bowl Couloir...

and rips on down it!

Next?

National Bowl Couloir.

After that run, part way up the bowl on our way to our fourth run of the day, the sun decided to come out for a bit. Absolutely amazing what little sun can do!

Awesome country!

Our fourth objective for the day... the bowl.

Matt skins his way up. Each run was about 2000 ft. Each climb back up was about the same. Took a while.

A look at some of our earlier lines, on our up for number four.

Matt watches the sun disappear again a we prepare a direct assault down National Bowl.

Charge!!

Nothing but powder!

Matt halfway down National Bowl.

Matt poses with the National Bowl Couloir.

Then makes a run at a speed bump.

Wish the lighting would have been better. Oh well, can't have it all I guess. If you click on this picture you can make out our lines down the middle of National Bowl.

After that run, and another 2000 foot climb, it was time to make our way back to the machines.

Matt makes his way back, Togwotee pass in the background below him.

With the clouds starting to break and lift, the cruise back was pretty cool.

Taking my skins off for what we hoped would be the last time.

Instead of skiing down the couloir we hiked up earlier, we pick one that was more north facing, with better snow, that still would wrap around and put us on the ridge right above our snow machines. It turned out to be quite the bonus ride.

Nothing like finishing up the day with couloir!

Well kinda, I guess we scored a few more turns in addition to the couloir too. Click to see the lines.

Riding off into the sunset.

What a tour! Three couloirs, open powder fields, 7000 vertical feet of skiing. Amazing!

Later on I helped Tallulah score a few turns. She's amazing too!