Halfpipe Gully

One of the best offerings in Oakes. As the name implies, this is a deep, well defined gully that splits the Buttress feature in Oakes. The start is equidistant from Tuckerman Ravine and Lake of the Clouds. Both approaches have have their merits. The line is difficult to spot from above, and there is usually a small cornice at the top, so approach the edge cautiously. Drop in and enjoy steep turns in a wide chute. The line empties out into a large slide path with sparse bushes that gets more dense the farther down you go. Stop and boot out when you’ve had enough, or for the full run, ski it all the way to the flats in Dry River Wilderness. From here you can skin climbers left to a steep drainage near the bottom of double barrel. Steep kick turns lead to the bottom of Robinson’s Neighborhood where more mellow skinning gets you back to Lake of the Clouds.