The Fly Couloir

Name: The Fly Couloir
Rating: 5.0

5.0 ( 1 )

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Trail

0.3 mile 0.5 kilometer point to point
Ski Line
Extremely Difficult

Elevation

Ascent: 0' 0 m
Descent: -1,097' -334 m
High: 5,755' 1,754 m
Low: 4,658' 1,420 m

Grade

Avg Slope: 65% (33°)
Max Slope: 73% (36°)

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Trail shared by Ben Stone

Avalanche risk for Apr 17, 2019: Unknown

Unknown or outdated data.

Full forecast for NWAC: WA Cascades West, South — Brought to you by Northwest Avalanche Center

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Current ascent conditions

Unknown See History

Popular ski lines nearby

View of The Fly (right) and The Zipper (left and a little hidden) from the approach road.

The Zipper Couloir

0.3 mi 0.4 km • -919 ft Descent • -280 m Descent

Singletrack Eatonville, WA

( 1 )

Can get nukin' in this area when conditions are right.

Edith Creek

0.8 mi 1.2 km • -988 ft Descent • -301.12 m Descent

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Gibraltar Chute

1.4 mi 2.2 km • -3,237 ft Descent • -986.7 m Descent

Singletrack Eatonville, WA

( 1 )

Vik Sahney ascending an icy steep section enroute to Little Tahoma; Mt. Rainier looms in the background (Photo Credit - Gavin Woody)

Little Tahoma via the Whitman and Frying Pan Glaciers

7.2 mi 11.6 km • -5,616 ft Descent • -1711.72 m Descent

Singletrack Greenwater, WA

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Sheep Lake Couloir

0.3 mi 0.4 km • -549 ft Descent • -167.29 m Descent

Singletrack Eatonville, WA

( 1 )

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“A popular steep skiing objective on Lane Peak.”

— Ben Stone

GPX File

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

There can be some creek crossing shenanigans depending on where you choose to traverse over Tatoosh Creek.

Description

This is a real classic couloir in the Rainier backcountry. It's visible from Paradise road and the parking lot, and is usually very tempting. The couloir itself is about ~45 deg and about 40-50 feet wide depending on how well filled in it gets. The runout zone at the bottom has been known to slide frequently, so good avalanche conditions are crucial. A helmet for rockfall and an ice axe or whippet might also be a good idea.