Silver Cord

Submitted by JoJo on Tue, 11/22/2005 - 08:29
I happened to fly over Yellowstone Park yesterday and Silver Cord is in big. It would be great - if you can figure out how to get to there. That is, how many ice climbers own 4-stroke snowmachines? The polluting 2-strokes are no longer allowed.... Good luck. JoJo There is a description of the route posted on my web site at http://www.firstascentpress.com/add_info.html

Patrick Knoll sent me the following information useful for anyone interested in Silver Cord. "There are a few difficulties with getting to the Silver Cord, especially right now. The Park is closed to non-admin traffic, both wheeled and tracked. I think it reopens around the 3rd week of December or so. They will plow until they get enough snow and then go to the tracked vehicles. I'm not sure if you can drive to Canyon around that transition time or not. (NO, JoJo) In addition to needing a 4-stroke machine you need to be part of a guided trip so that is really rules out snow machine access for climbing. I think the best way to go on this is to wait for the tracked vehicle season to start and then take a snowcoach to Canyon and plan on spending at least one night. There used to be a yurt there but I don't know what services are there now. If nothing else, a backcountry permit should do the trick for sleeping rough."

....As of 'o4 season you need a guide to take a fourstroke sled, and there is only one service for the snowcoaches that will drop u off n pick ya up the next day because of insurance liability. The catch is u have to pay for two trips which is around 250 bucks. The one service that will drop u off overneight operates outta gardnier. NOvember or May when the roads are open to vehicle traffic or ride a bike in is the best bet. Or ski in....have fun.