RR
05-30-2003, 09:17 AM
Mt. Tripyramid - North Slide Beta:
The open slide is only 600+ vf from 3950' el to about 3330' el, but measures 1800 feet of sliding surface at a consistent gradient, then there is the gully below the slide that goes steeper for another 200 vf with maybe 220 feet of sliding surface, which offers a narrow gut chute and gully walling through close trees...boarders with split boards will love this place.
Skiing out below the gully involve the same way out as in, but variations abound to get the open trees (scouting on the way in is recommended)...oh and watch out for the area just short of meeting up with the Livermore road...nasty little drop with the potential to bust your stick(s) Total vert 1600 to here with another 800 out via the Livermore Road
Attention: this is air traffic control, your ariel entrance (a bit tight) to the gully is open from descenders right. Happy Landings!
Access: Livermore Road Parking lot, free with your WMNF sticker (that's $25), say hi to the guy selling tickets to the WV X-C ski trails (You are going back country so don't pay for the X-C trail ticket).
Skins on and head east out to the lot on your skis, or splits (Tips: some kickwax will work better than skins for the first mile or so and it's kind of a long slog on snowshoes). The trail crosses a meadow, a small bridge, and the start of the Greeley Ponds ski trail in the first 1/3 mile. Some time later (30 min at most) after some easy ascending the X-C trails fork right and you are in the ungroomed. Stay on the road and in maybe another 30 min meet the Tripyramids Trail. steep gully crossing...beeeee smart, wear your gaiters and boot it to the other side. 20 min +/- will get you to the base of the steep gully and a few minutes later the slide is in front of you.
The slope is steep enough to avvy so be smart and watch out for your group spacing on crossing the fall line on the way up. I usually stay on the climber's left side of the gully and slide...I might start a slide, but being above it is better than being below!
The open slide is only 600+ vf from 3950' el to about 3330' el, but measures 1800 feet of sliding surface at a consistent gradient, then there is the gully below the slide that goes steeper for another 200 vf with maybe 220 feet of sliding surface, which offers a narrow gut chute and gully walling through close trees...boarders with split boards will love this place.
Skiing out below the gully involve the same way out as in, but variations abound to get the open trees (scouting on the way in is recommended)...oh and watch out for the area just short of meeting up with the Livermore road...nasty little drop with the potential to bust your stick(s) Total vert 1600 to here with another 800 out via the Livermore Road
Attention: this is air traffic control, your ariel entrance (a bit tight) to the gully is open from descenders right. Happy Landings!
Access: Livermore Road Parking lot, free with your WMNF sticker (that's $25), say hi to the guy selling tickets to the WV X-C ski trails (You are going back country so don't pay for the X-C trail ticket).
Skins on and head east out to the lot on your skis, or splits (Tips: some kickwax will work better than skins for the first mile or so and it's kind of a long slog on snowshoes). The trail crosses a meadow, a small bridge, and the start of the Greeley Ponds ski trail in the first 1/3 mile. Some time later (30 min at most) after some easy ascending the X-C trails fork right and you are in the ungroomed. Stay on the road and in maybe another 30 min meet the Tripyramids Trail. steep gully crossing...beeeee smart, wear your gaiters and boot it to the other side. 20 min +/- will get you to the base of the steep gully and a few minutes later the slide is in front of you.
The slope is steep enough to avvy so be smart and watch out for your group spacing on crossing the fall line on the way up. I usually stay on the climber's left side of the gully and slide...I might start a slide, but being above it is better than being below!