Storming the Castle: Jules Bowl

Jules Castle Couloir

   On Sunday, January 27th, 2013 I figured conditions looked good enough for tour in Jules Bowl.  Mike Bostick joined me.  I hadn't been in there for nearly two years.  With no snow in the Winds and little on Togwotee in the last week, the I thought the trail into Jules Bowl would be pretty good.  It was.  Didn't really have too much trouble remembering my way in.

The Video: 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzgphtE6x5I&feature=share&list=UU1sEI4a92oss2doHj7KGp2Q

   Since the forecast was calling for heavy snow by noon, and since we suspected the current snow conditions up high were pretty wind hammered... we opted to try out one of the closest couloirs before committing to any in the bowl.  We decided to storm the Castle.

Mike skins his way up.

Mike approaches the entrance- boot packing now.

Shad halfway up.

Starting to snow now... visibility getting lower... probably around 11am.

Mike nears the top.

Almost there!

Short clip of Shad making a few survival turns.

Shad drops.  I've skied this in harder pack, icier conditions... but also better ones.

Wheehoo!

Mike schralps his way down.

    After survival riding down the couloir, we opted not to try another.  Instead, we headed for north facing trees, where the snow what much better... good powder.  Snow increased and visibility decreased throughout the day.  Later, after w got home I learned of two separate avalanche fatalities that occurred this same day-- a ways away in the Tetons and Greys River areas.  More snow fell over there, and conditions became dangerous much faster.  I never felt like we were pushing it, or avi conditions were iffy at all where we were at Sunday.  The next day though, after 6-12 inches had come down... I wouldn't have touched the couloir.  That based was too steep, hard and slick to support much new snow.  Conditions will probably be iffy for a while in there now.

Jules Bowl