Any visit to Vail will have one admiring the Gore Range mountains. While not as popular as other ranges throughout Colorado (probably because it doesn't contain any 14ers), the peaks are no less spectacular. Grand Traverse Peak particularly stands out and captures the view to the east from anywhere in town. Some friends in Vail Valley had been talking about this peak for a few weeks, so we finally put together a plan.
Ryan skinning towards the objective - Grand Traverse Peak southwest face:
J and Mike bootpacking up the steep main couloir:
The Vail boys - Ryan, Mike and J, who despite his small stature is threatening with an ice ax:
We encountered some strong forecasted winds all morning, and on the 13,040 feet summit we struggled to stay standing. We didn't like the idea of waiting around for snow to soften and coverage in the narrow main couloir was a bit thin at times during the ascent. So we decided to head south along the ridge and ski down a more appropriate line given the conditions. Frozen snow persisted in our descent down the face and we had a good teeth-rattling ride over a section of old avalanche debris. However, the apron provided some fun turns on perfect corn snow.
Ryan skiing down the couloir:
Ascent (red) and descent (blue) lines on the southwest face:
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