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Twin Falls to Pinner Couloir

Hyalite

WI3 ice climb, followed by steep and narrow couloir turns

Ski Touring Difficult

Distance
12 km
Ascent
1.1 km
Descent
1.1 km
Duration
5-6 hrs
Low Point
2.1 km
High Point
3.1 km
Gradient
52˚
Twin Falls to Pinner Couloir Map

Epic little ice climb + ski tour link up in Hyalite Canyon, MT. High quality climbing and skiing.

  • 3,700’ vertical
  • WI3 ice climb up Twin Falls
  • Steep & narrow turns down Pinner Couloir
  • 7.5mi round trip

Description

Start at the Hyalite Creek trailhead. Skin south, turning right after a ~mile to ascend toward Twin Falls. The switchbacks can be icy, so you might need to bootpack.

Climb Twin Falls, a WI3 route. 60m ropes should do the trick -- we used two half ropes. The right side is less steep / sustained than the middle.

Ditch gear on a tree above the falls and skin southwest to Pinner Couloir. A quick bootpack (hopefully no postholing). Hop turn and side-slip back down to the bowl, then ski back to the top of Twin Falls.

Rappel ~60m to the base and transition to ski / bushwhack / skate back to the trailhead. Tip: stick to the switchbacks if you want to avoid log hopping.

Full trip report: https://www.grizzliesandavalanches.com/hyalite-twin-falls-pinner-couloir/

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between December and April

Features

  • Bowl
  • Cliffs
  • Couloir
  • Tree Skiing
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Rope
  • Skins
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons