North Lolo Peak - Your standard Bittrroot ski tour.

Vertical: ~4,800ft

Distance: ~8.5mi

My wife is from Norway; and she astutely pointed out the Montana mentality of solidarity. When average Montanans go out on an outdoor adventure, they don't often expect to see people. When they do in fact come across others, even a small group, their thoughts become something like, "This place is packed!"

By this measurement, the Lolo Peak area is "packed", and for good reason. Gated early winter, and open again for late spring skiing, it offers great skiing into the summer months with easy access. Today was a Wednesday and we saw a group of five from across the lake, nearly rubbing elbows by Montana outdoor standards. 

I won't go into too much detail, we just did your standard North Lolo Peak tour. Scouted the Lantern Lake Couloir, and after much deliberation, left it for another day. Treated ourselves to some fast sweeping turns down the east face of N. Lolo Peak, and then I scurried up near the summit of Mormon Peak to gain a vantage point of the 'pinch' of the Lantern Lake Couloir (see below).  In the process I lost my first-generation Go-Pro, sooOOooo, if anyone comes across it up there...

Also, I apologize for the pictures, I was stuck using a less than stellar camera today.

Topping out at Carlton Ridge

Good look at Sweeney Peak
 (Sweeney Peak Tour - April 19th, 2014)

North Lolo Peak, true summit sits SW.

Matt

Dumb ski photo.

Another dumb ski photo. :)

Looking North from near the summit.

Can't blame me, these Dynafit Cho Oyu skis are so photogenic.

Sweeney Peak looking dapper.

Summit of North Lolo Peak

Found ya!

Looking down to Lantern Lake

East from the top.

Mission range looking intimidating. 

scoping the couloir, hard to guess what the pinch looked like.

Matt getting another angle. 

Just as we decided to leave it for another day, a bus sized cornice broke off to help solidify the decision.  

St. Joe

Sweeping turns down the east face.

Oh, what wild animal is this? 

Lantern Lake Couloir as of 5.21.2014

the 'pinch' - lots of talus waiting at the bottom. 

The short-cut is ski-able all the way to the Mill Creek junction, and can ride about .5mi passed that. (5.21.2014)

Stats

Thanks for looking!!!