Y Couloir, Pikes Peak partner

[Linux_92]

Good Evening Everyone,

Looking for a partner or two to come climb Pikes Peak in the near future(Springs local) and snowboarding down the Y couloir. Pretty confident alpinist even though I have only done 1 last year, just moved from Norfolk Va but pretty confident in conditioning and snowboarding. Wanting to do this since last year and looking for anyone to join. Looking at early April, but overall open schedule and down to do it later or earlier.

All my friends are scared shitless of it lmao, went to check it out earlier this year and doesn't look bad, but didn't descend it due to avi danger. Just reply or shoot me a dm and we can hop on a call or something together to discuss details! Thanks.

[JerJerBinks]

I'm game. The Y is #2 on my list of things I want to do this year. I'm a decade older than you and only in decent shape, but I'm under the impression it's class 2? My snow climbing is very limited. I went solo up Box Creex of Elbert last spring and I'd say it barely qualifies.
Being a Springs native is my major motivation here. I've been kinda slacking on my research but was definitely considering going solo on this if I couldn't find a crew. I'm not gonna ski or board down though. So I'd probably just return one via one of the standard routes. What approach are you planning to take?

[Linux_92]

I was going to take the standard Barr trail, but was thinking of going down and around on the bottomless snake pit trail to get to the couloir and climb it up then snowboard down, done some extensive research on it, just depends if I have a partner or not.

[d_baker]

I'm game. The Y is #2 on my list of things I want to do this year. I'm a decade older than you and only in decent shape, but I'm under the impression it's class 2? My snow climbing is very limited. I went solo up Box Creex of Elbert last spring and I'd say it barely qualifies.
Being a Springs native is my major motivation here. I've been kinda slacking on my research but was definitely considering going solo on this if I couldn't find a crew. I'm not gonna ski or board down though. So I'd probably just return one via one of the standard routes. What approach are you planning to take?

Fwiw, the Y was my "first" couloir climb, a week after I had taken a snow climbing class with the CMC at Glen Cove on Pikes.
2003ish.
When we did the Y, we stayed at Barr Camp (in the teepee!) and left early for the Bottomless Pit trail.
Awesome climb for a first, especially since it's the backyard 14er.

[marksilas]

I think most climbs of the Y are done in May, when snow conditions are usually better. Some years that doesn't happen until June. But this year (so far) is a low snow year.

[jrs1965]

If you're looking to board/ski on Pikes just take the PP Highway up? The "beach" area just past Glen Cove gets pretty busy in April once the resorts close. Usually see a few people bbq'n there on the the side of the road in between hitching rides to the Devils Playground area and skiing back down. North face routes like the Y are a bit steeper and you have to start there at the summit and boot back up. I've climb up the Y Couloir and the Railroad Couloir from Rumdoodle Ridge like a half dozen times over the years. Also done the Hero's Traverse but you have to start another mile or so up the PP Highway to drop into Hero's. Way better to drive up rather than starting from Barr Trailhead. Only drawback on driving up is that before Memorial Day the gates don't open until 9 AM...

Summitpost link for north side couloirs: https://www.summitpost.org/north-side-couloirs/189243

[Been_Jammin]

A little late here... Did you bag this route via Barr and Bottomless pit? Curious of the conditions.

I tried to climb the Y-Cooly last year in April and the Bottomless Pit Trail was really really bad still. Total bushwhack. I turned around after toiling up that trail (from the Barr junction) about .5 mile. I am going to try again this year late May or early June... when the approach via Bottomless Pit should be easier.

[jrs1965]

A little late here... Did you bag this route via Barr and Bottomless pit? Curious of the conditions.

I tried to climb the Y-Cooly last year in April and the Bottomless Pit Trail was really really bad still. Total bushwhack. I turned around after toiling up that trail (from the Barr junction) about .5 mile. I am going to try again this year late May or early June... when the approach via Bottomless Pit should be easier.

If you start from the PP highway and take Rumdoodle to the Bottomless Pit it's a breeze. Zero bushwhack, I think I can usually make the summit in less than four hours. I'm wanting to get up there soon, but work and weekend obligations have had me all tied up...

[Been_Jammin]

A little late here... Did you bag this route via Barr and Bottomless pit? Curious of the conditions.

I tried to climb the Y-Cooly last year in April and the Bottomless Pit Trail was really really bad still. Total bushwhack. I turned around after toiling up that trail (from the Barr junction) about .5 mile. I am going to try again this year late May or early June... when the approach via Bottomless Pit should be easier.

If you start from the PP highway and take Rumdoodle to the Bottomless Pit it's a breeze. Zero bushwhack, I think I can usually make the summit in less than four hours. I'm wanting to get up there soon, but work and weekend obligations have had me all tied up...

I get the PP highway approach is more efficient. The slog from Manitou ups the endurance challenge a bit... which appeals to me. If anyone out there gets into Pike's Y-Cooly this spring post some conditions please!!!

[d_baker]

^ and the hassle and timing of getting on toll road could suck. Would want a good overnight freeze.

[Veory]

Idk I feel like the timing of when the toll road opens usually makes the perfect time to drop in, but I guess if you're trying to climb first instead of ski first that could be more of an issue

[d_baker]

Idk I feel like the timing of when the toll road opens usually makes the perfect time to drop in, but I guess if you're trying to climb first instead of ski first that could be more of an issue

It's been many years since I have climbed the Y, but back then the 7am at gate wasn't horrible.
But isn't there a different system in place now to get up toll road? Like reservations?
That part I don't know, nor have I looked into it.