Description

Damnation Gully is most often done as an alpine ice climb, rather than a ski descent.

However, being mostly snow, with a consistent pitch, and majestic rock walls, it makes a fantastic ski descent.

A lot of snow, and minimal wind scouring on SE aspects is needed to cover the ice in the upper section of the gully.

A cornice often forms on the skier's left side, enter below it on a snow ramp to skiers right.

The line begins with steep, open turns, which quickly funnel you to a section of ice bulges.

Traverse left under an ice bulge into a narrow, meandering gully.

Ski down this beautiful section, keeping your slough below you, until you reach an ice crux.

This can be a small hop, or covered in deep years, or a rappel in lean years.

Negotiate the ice bulge, into a short section of skiing above a blind roll.

This is the mandatory rappel.

High and to skiers left, look for cracks in a small pod.

As of 2023, there is a 3 nut rappel anchor in place.

Bring medium to large nuts and some cord just in case, tricams would work as well.

A single 60m rope is ideal for the rappel.

Below the rappel, the gully begins to widen.

One more ice bulge often forms near the bottom, which can be skirted to skiers left in deep years.

Enjoy the lower turns in the gully and down the fan, as these are often the best.