With the lack of precipitation in the Sierra and a changing work schedule, I’ve been getting pretty antsy to chase some semblance of snow. While going stir crazy and living vicariously through IG images I came across some images of some friends hitting up TC couloir. I quickly hit up Kyle @Shrdnar and Ryan to see if we could move TC to the top off the list. After checking everyone’s schedules we gave the trip a green light. With the Ruby’s picking up aprox 8″ leading up to the weekend stoke was running high.

The day before we were supposed to leave Kyle broke the news that his FJ was in the shop with rear end issues and he may have to pull the plug. With Kyle coming from SLC, the trip was also a good excuse to link up. Now that he may be out Ryan started second guessing the 8-hour drive from the Bay Area. The trip was quickly unraveling. Lucky for all of us Kyle sweet-talked the dealership into giving him a loaner he could smash to the Ruby’s in.

On the drive out we saw some thermal/hot spring activity so we decided to look for a hot spring to break up the drive. We read about Kyle Hot Springs which was near Mill City off of Hwy 80. After 10+ gravel and dirt miles my Subi was not too happy with me. We found it only to discover that the main concrete tub (aprox 110 degrees) was in major need of a cleaning. A second above ground plastic tub was setup downstream but some turds took it upon them selves to bust holes in it. There was no soaking but the views were mighty nice!

Supposedly Kyle Hot Spring was once a mineral bath resort offering lodging, hot baths, and steam treatments.


Old stone house ruins.

Once Ryan and I arrived we spied on the coulie and began to set up camp. We ended up camping right in the lot.

I awoke in the middle of the night to a F250 diesel swinging doughnuts at the opposite end of the parking lot. I started thinking maybe the parking lot was not the best place to camp…
The view that greeted us as we toured down Lamoille Canyon.

As TC comes into view, the distance plays games with your eyes. It looks much narrower and much steeper.



Kyle skinning as far as we could which was not too far…






I brought my Verts but never did bust them out. The snow was perfect for booting.


Ryan getting ready to drop

Kyle “hands up” on the “Split Licker”


POV shot from the GoPro

While we did not have a great POW day I was just happy to score this line in safe, stable, and soft conditions. This line is one of the most picturesque lines I’ve seen and the lack of snow gave the walls that much more height and impact.

So pumped to score this line with my buds!