Jewel's Castle Couloir

Storming the Castle
Jewel's Bowl Area, Shoshone NF
February 22nd, 2009

Jewel's Castle Couloir

After hanging out in Jewels Bowl with my wife for a day, near this couloir, I couldn't resist going back in there to take a stab at it. It's been a few years since I skied it last. Chuck and Karla hadn't ever actually been in Jewels' Bowl, and it'd been a few years since either of them climbed up couloir. With fairly stable snow conditions, seems like the time was right to raid the Castle.

Ode' to the Scrubbies

A few look back the other way, towards our sleds, as we begin the climb. Even though there was more fresh snow, it must have come with more wind. Open slopes were looking and feeling a bit more wind affected.

Chuck and Karla at the base of the Castle Couloir.

Chuck makes his way up.

Pausing for a breather.

A look down at our tracks from the top.

Chuck in the Castle!

I get ready to drop.

Looking back on a few of my turns. Kind of variable scralpy conditions- not ice, but not pow either.

Chuck drops.

Weeehooo! All the wasy down.

One last look back, as we headed of in search of powder.

Maybe I'll get up this one again this year?

As the day went on, we dialed in the pow and scored some classic runs through it.

One of many little powder patches we put the chomp on.

A view of Jewel's Bowl from near the top of our powder shots.

Another great day in the backcountry. The second day this year I've spent in Jewels Bowl when we were the only ones in it all day long. I'll take it!