Telegraph NW Face via Lightning Couloir Detour - 3.6.10
Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 4:29 pm
Telegraph NW Face via Lightning Couloir Detour - 3.6.10
I've been wanting to climb Telegraph's NW Face for a long time now and after looking at it last weekend only to retreat due to unconsolidated snow, I knew this weekend would be a good time to climb it and with the weather system moving in today, the temps stayed low and made the snow conditions optimal. The cold temps would also help contain the rock fall to a minimum.
I started out from Manker Flat at 6:40am and aimed for Lightning Couloir. I was part way up the couloir when a good size chunk of rock came flying down the middle, good thing I was off to the side. After looking up the couloir and noticed a cornice was protecting the exit, I decided to climb over to the East where I found another nice couloir that had no cornice at the top. The exit was steep and fun, a great alternate route.
The route over to Telegraphs NW was easy, just follow the ridge over Thunder Mtn and drop down to the saddle. Here I took a quick snack break before climbing Telegraph's awesome NW Face. I studied some pictures the night before of the route I wanted to climb and although I thought I was in the correct chute, I actually went too far East and didn't notice it until about halfway up. No problem, I just zig zagged my way up through various mini couloirs and eventually climb out just to the East of the summit. A little section of mixed climbing near the top was exciting and overall the climb was one of my favorites.
I retreated from the summit using the NW Ridge and then back over Thunder Mountain where I descended to Manker Flat via one of the ski bowls and Big Butch Wash. I was back at Manker Flat just before 11am and was able to avoid the heavier snow fall that was on the way.
My route I call "Lightning Couloir Detour"...
![Image](http://www.digitalalpine.com/2010-Pictures/Telegraph-NW-Face-3610/Lightningroute/803791001_3vULE-M-1.jpg)
My route up Telegraph's NW Face...
![Image](http://www.digitalalpine.com/2010-Pictures/Telegraph-NW-Face-3610/Telegraphroute/803833620_iAezw-M.jpg)
My pictures:
http://www.digitalalpine.com/2010-Pictu ... 3717_CARiC
I've been wanting to climb Telegraph's NW Face for a long time now and after looking at it last weekend only to retreat due to unconsolidated snow, I knew this weekend would be a good time to climb it and with the weather system moving in today, the temps stayed low and made the snow conditions optimal. The cold temps would also help contain the rock fall to a minimum.
I started out from Manker Flat at 6:40am and aimed for Lightning Couloir. I was part way up the couloir when a good size chunk of rock came flying down the middle, good thing I was off to the side. After looking up the couloir and noticed a cornice was protecting the exit, I decided to climb over to the East where I found another nice couloir that had no cornice at the top. The exit was steep and fun, a great alternate route.
The route over to Telegraphs NW was easy, just follow the ridge over Thunder Mtn and drop down to the saddle. Here I took a quick snack break before climbing Telegraph's awesome NW Face. I studied some pictures the night before of the route I wanted to climb and although I thought I was in the correct chute, I actually went too far East and didn't notice it until about halfway up. No problem, I just zig zagged my way up through various mini couloirs and eventually climb out just to the East of the summit. A little section of mixed climbing near the top was exciting and overall the climb was one of my favorites.
I retreated from the summit using the NW Ridge and then back over Thunder Mountain where I descended to Manker Flat via one of the ski bowls and Big Butch Wash. I was back at Manker Flat just before 11am and was able to avoid the heavier snow fall that was on the way.
My route I call "Lightning Couloir Detour"...
![Image](http://www.digitalalpine.com/2010-Pictures/Telegraph-NW-Face-3610/Lightningroute/803791001_3vULE-M-1.jpg)
My route up Telegraph's NW Face...
![Image](http://www.digitalalpine.com/2010-Pictures/Telegraph-NW-Face-3610/Telegraphroute/803833620_iAezw-M.jpg)
My pictures:
http://www.digitalalpine.com/2010-Pictu ... 3717_CARiC