Pinner Couloir- Laurel Mountain

Just south of Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, Convict Lake creates a perfect trailhead for backcountry adventures. From one day missions to weeks questing into some of the most remote Californian ranges, Convict Lake offers outings in all shapes and sizes.

On this day, my partner Sam and I wanted to ski the Pinner Couloir above Convict on the east aspect of Laurel Mountain. We left from Incline Village around 5:30 am and after a few gas station stops and some scenic driving, we were at the lake looking up at Laurel.

Once our bags were dialed in, we started moving towards the base of Laurel via the hiking trail on the north side of the lake. From here we followed continuous snow lookers left (southwest) towards the east side of Laurel and the base of the Pinner Couloir.

Below left: Base of Laurel from west side of Convict Lake.

Below right: Sam pointing to another east side classic; Red Slate's North Couloir

Below: Myself at the base of the couloir, pointing to the obvious

After moments gawking westward towards Red Slate and other gorgeous endeavors, we slung our skis on our packs and attached our crampons to our boots. From here it was straight up the couloir; stopping for water, checking our nerves and getting psyched for what we were about to descend. In all honesty, the conditions were a few mere steps away from blue ice. By far the firmest snow I’ve ever encountered in my entire life, giving our crampons a run for their money when a step wasn't planted with deliberate intent.

Left: My first few steps

Right: Sam below me taking in the view

As we picked our way up the wavering 40 degree couloir, we encountered a major trauma incident. Seeing skis broken and poles split apart in what would be defined as a slide for life situation was a harrowing experience. Sam and I both put our transceivers into search mode out of habit but we knew there would be no signal found. We picked up the debris in the couloir and moved it to one side. Upon further investigation, the accident happened the day prior to a skier who needed medical assistance from Mono County Search and Rescue and was rescued.

Left: Sam taking in the sun while I capture the scale of the line

Right: Sam above me checking out the broken skis from the accident

After this sobering encounter mid-line, we pushed further up the couloir to only find conditions deteriorating. We had thought things would soften up a little as the top of the line receives more sun than the gut of the line, but we were met with the opposite. We called our ascent roughly 400 feet below the top of the line due to conditions up high and the broken skis that we did not want to add to.

We found a small pocket to rest, get psyched up, and transition into downhill mode. I took the first few turns with an ice axe in hand but gained confidence in a few turns and stowed it away for the rest of the descent.

Left: Spraying some snow with sharp new edges

Right: Sam on the final pitch

Slowly making our way down, we leap frogged each other and took things slow as a fall in these conditions would, at minimum, yield a serious injury. After many pitches of puckering skiing we hit the final apron and made our way back to our car for a much deserved snack.

This is truly an eastern sierra classic ski descent: 40 to 45 degrees of engaging couloir skiing for 3,500 feet makes it a must ski for a stout backcountry enthusiast. This line is difficult to predict unless you climb up it, so I'd recommend ascending it rather than looping around Laurel to reach the entrance.