Bird Brain – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Side Country
It is that time of year in Jackson, time to start exploring. The powder stashes have been blown up and the side country has been skied. It is that time of year when skiers go further, looking for new lines and undiscovered zones.
I didn’t have to go far to ski a line that I had never skied before. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was prepared for anything.
Entrance to Bird Brain
In years past, there has been enough snow to ski into the very tight entrance of Bird Brain. The team: Eric Seymour, Griffin Post, and Tanner Flanagan decided it would be safer to rope into the entrance. The exit of Brain Brain is a mandatory repel. We wanted to make sure that there was a safe anchor for the bottom rapel before all of us descended into the couloir.
Gearing Up - Entrance of Bird Brain
Eric Seymour dropped in first.
Eric Seymour Dropping In
Belay ON!
The snow was great in the couloir. We decided to keep Eric on belay until he found the second belay station. Or at least a safe rapel zone. The snow was sluffing hard and we didn’t want to watch Eric fall off the bottom cliff.
Eric Seymour Looking for a Safe Belay Station
Once Eric located a safe belay station, we all skied down to him. The turns in the couloir were really good! And there is nothing like heavy exposure and sluff to get your heart pounding.
Look Closely into Griff's Goggles and You Will See the Team
The second rapel was super fun!
Dropping Into the Second Rapel
Griffin Post Existing Bird Brain
At the bottom of the rapel there were some really nice powder turns.
Pow Turns!
I have to admit, “Bird Brain” is more of a novelty couloir. Even so, it is a testament to how diverse Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is. Depending on my mood, I can spend the day ripping slush or get out the ropes and go for a little adventure!
Bird Brain
