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A true adventure for people that think skiing just needs more rappelling.


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Map Key

0.2

Miles

0.4

KM

Ski Line

11,797' 3,596 m

High

10,967' 3,343 m

Low

0' 0 m

Up

830' 253 m

Down

67%

Avg Slope (34°)

95%

Max Slope (43°)
Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Need to Know

Bring plenty of gear for anchors; it's unlikely that you'll find more than one anchor already set.

Description

This is a very obscure line between Dragons Tail and Dead Elk. To get into the couloir, start at a small snowfield, just skier's right of the entrance to Dragontail Couloir (the true entrance, not the Incisor entrance).

From there, you traverse right, over some exposure, to get to a sort of shoulder that drops into the couloir. Manage your way down snowfields and rappels, keeping left whenever there's an option. The skiing varies from awesome, inset snowfields to tight billygoating. Eventually, it drops you into the bottom half of Dead Elk.

More information here: mountainproject.com/route/1…

History & Background

First descent was Sam Shaheen and Jacob Winey in April 2018.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jacob Winey

Trail Ratings

  2.0 from 1 vote

#825

Overall
  2.0 from 1 vote
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1 Star
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Ski Line Rankings

#335

in Colorado

#825

Overall
14 Views Last Month
2,597 Since May 18, 2018
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Photos

Approaching the crux of Dragontail, Emerald Lake is far below.
Mar 2, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Making headway down Dragontail towards Emerald Lake
Jan 9, 2020 near Grand Lake, CO
Getting closer to the bottom of Smoke and Dragons; here's one of the spots where you really need to stay left.
May 19, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Sam, skiing the first snowfield in Smoke and Dragons
May 19, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Marking the location of Smoke and Dragons relative to Dead Elk and Dragon Tail
May 19, 2018 near Grand Lake, CO
Skiing down the bottom part of Dead Elk.
Apr 6, 2016 near Grand Lake, CO

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