The Y-Not Couloir is like the R-rated version of its more popular, adjacent Y Couloir. A rappel halfway down the line makes for a spicy touch on this otherwise straightforward, aesthetic, and easily accessed line. And being north-facing, it typically features soft snow (and persistent weak layers).
Boot up the Y-Couloir and take a right at the second fork. Once you reach the top of the fork you will be standing on a sub ridge that gives you a glimpse of what's to come. Depending on conditions you can put away your crampons and click into your skis and traverse over, but more likely you will want to traverse out in the chute with your crampons still on. From here you have the option to boot the rest of the way up the Y-Not but there is not really much more skiing from where you entered.
The Y-Not is a blast to ski and can be a little terrifying if the conditions aren't the best. Any fall above the rappel can be life-threatening so proceed with caution. Approaching the rappel anchor can be done safely with proper rope techniques by utilizing a tree that is about 45 meters above the rappel and skiing on belay to the anchor. There used to be bolts that were taken out from rockfall or an avalanche during the 19/20 season. There most likely will be some webbing wrapped around a tree but don't count on it so bring some extra gear in case you need to set up your own anchor. From there you will be able to rap down about 100' to a picturesque feature where you can snap a pic for your gram. The fun isn't over though since there most likely will be a tight section right under the rap that is difficult to ski. Either plan on having long enough rope to make it past the choke or you might need to make snow bollard and scurry through the choke hand over hand. There you will be able to ski out and hang a right upcanyon to a trail that will lead you to your car.
The Y couloir climb can be quite busy when conditions are good so be mindful of people above and below you - especially if the snow is prone to sluffing.
Second trip down this guy (see above). Used all the same gear. Someone has replaced the destroyed bolts with new ones since my last visit.
Update: there are about 2 tree anchors leading to the actual anchor which is now rebolted. The anchors are on the lowermost rock before the cliff. Skip those tree anchors and go skiing...
Absolutely loved the line. Steep, great rap. Below-rap choke I straightlined without any problems. Easy and fun dusk patrol outing. Great skiing in a great location. I will be back.
Andrew W
03/20/2024 12:17pm
Very nice to follow previous bootpacks up as they lead the way to the nicer entry point (a smaller gully a couple hundred feet below the top of the ridge). As of today the snow was tired but edgable, that said just knowing what lurks below saps confidence. My tip got stuck and I did fall in the large upper section, I wouldn't recommend it but the pitch isn't so steep you can't reel it back in if you're already going at a slow-scared-shitless speed. The big beta for the day is the "rap" leading to the main rap. We brought a single alpine 60m and a Beal Escaper, if you choose this approach take absolute care not to let the little branches of this brave conifer from interacting with the escaper. We found ourselves at the rap station below unable to retrieve our rope. Lucky the snow was comfortable enough to climb back up and fix the mess. The choke also took some time, my 169 skis got stuck a couple times but made it through without removal, anything smaller can be used to sidestep through. This is a neat line and I would recommend this line to those who are craving a technical descent adventure. And for those wondering... yes, we were heinously late for work.
Gear I used
2017 Salomon MTN 88
Scarpa F1 XT