Blog Posts for January, 2009

The Why Couloir January 11, 2009 — Words and photos by Brad Foley

Knowing that the skiing out the backcountry gate had been hit hard over the last two days and wanting to ski soft snow for Scott’s birthday we headed to the east side of the Bear Creek valley. The forecast was for blue skies and the Why had looked good from across the valley as we headed to the gate.

Dan, Ryan and I had yet to ski the Why Couloir and Scott having only skied it once before we decided to go. Adding to the spaghetti string of tracks on the way to the skin route we were excited with the idea of soft snow and blue skies. Climbing quickly we made the ridge just as the weather began to deteriorate. With wind increasing and snow now starting to fall we negotiated the intricate ridge to the entrance of the Why, wondering if we had made the right decision. A little billy goating and we were in the main couloir. Since it was Scott’s birthday it only made sense that he drop in first and we hoped the snow was soft and the falling snow made for an amazing scene.


Skiing conservatively down the steep couloir, we found a mix of dense powder and some wind board in the middle section of the couloir. With three large cliff bands at the bottom we traversed out to the exit couloir and found turn after turn of perfect light, dry San Juan powder, the best skiing of the day.

The clouds were lifting and our spirits high, we were all feeling lucky to have been able spend the day together in such a magical place. It was Scott’s fortieth and my first time in the Why, I hope it was as memorable for him as it was for me. Why not…