2015 Silverton Splitfest • snowboardmountaineer.com

Another dryland survey to check out Apache Peak and some of the lines in and around Queen’s Way, the extension of Isabelle Glacier. In particular the ascent route of Apache Coulior. Again, more of a photo record of the dryland terrain around the area. The Navajo Glacier snowfield still had a decent undertone of summer snow remaining. Also traversed around to the Crater Lake (Lone Eagle) cirque to see what was left of Fair Glacier and the route into Triangle Lake. Photo references below.

A view down the Queen's Way from the saddle — A view down the Queen’s Way from the saddle

Into the Lone Eagle / Crater Lake cirque

A portion of Queen's Way — A portion of Queen’s Way

Navajo Snowfield - another view — Navajo Snowfield – another view

The end of Queen's Way snowfield on the lower tarn — The end of Queen’s Way snowfield on the lower tarn

Slope angle of Apache Peak, Queen's Way in red, Apache Couloir in blue. — Slope angle of Apache Peak, Queen’s Way in red, Apache Couloir in blue.

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AimeeCloud34 says:

September 21, 2014 at 8:13 am

I can attest, QW is not a happy place when it warms. I punched through on the acsent about 20 yds from the rock band with flowing water underneath. You don’t want to be on a steep slope with that sound beneath you. This was June 2012. I had to down climb on re-acsend on a mixed scramble via the ledges route. FWIW, the dangerous game with Apache Peak is waiting for the three cornices to fall on AC, IG, and QW. They loom ominously above until late spring. You will use up one of your nine lives if you are in there when they go. I agree late spring, but spot out the cornices from the vantage point unnamed lake before committing to a route. Also keep an eye out on the southern flanks of Shoshoni and the Isabelle above. Usually they just runnel, but have been know to be big too.

shaun says:

September 21, 2014 at 9:21 am

Aimee, would you by chance have any photos of the rockband you are referring to?

Jeff says:

September 20, 2014 at 5:26 pm

What exactly is the difference in the “Y Couloir” and Queen’s Way, synonymous? Any idea when the best time to hit queens is? I haven’t been in there for a few years. The two I was with referred to the line we skied as “Y” so I was curious if I am looking at the same line. Fair Glacier is also a good one. Great pics, Sean.

shaun says:

September 21, 2014 at 7:04 am

It’s my understanding the Y Couloir is upper midway up the apron and to the left portion of Apache Couloir. I uploaded an overview file (http://snowboardmountaineer.com/?attachment_id=6490), and also included it above toward the end of the pics. You can see the Apache Couloir and the ‘Y’ split to the left. There is also the infamous ‘Y Couloir’ on Ypilson — if you are referring to that.

As far as timing for Queen’s Way, late spring / summer. I added the slope angle overlay above. Although people go in there in early in the season, and sometimes even winter — be advised, that whole area from Airplane Gully to the south slopes of Isabelle Glacier are dramatic with avalanche activity. I can’t access the CAIC report from 2009, but there is an overview here on the incident that took place early season on Apache: http://flylowgear.com/early-season-avalanche-warnings/

Late spring / early summer is definitely the prime season for Queen’s and Apache. Queen’s Way sits on a north aspect on the upper half, so it is tricky timing. Keep an eye on the night time temps in late spring. It’s one of those routes you neither want to hit too early nor too late. Hope that helps.

Trip Report: Queen’s Way / Apache Peak ~ 9.17.14 (Dryland)

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