Chasing Lines in the Ruby Mountains: Jack Ryan & Johnathan McDonnell Take on the first of 50 iconic couloirs in the range, ‘Terminal Cancer’.
There’s something special about the first mission back after a big trip, and for Jack Ryan @wholegrilledonion) and Johnathan McDonnell (@dolph_mcd), this one was all about keeping the momentum rolling. Fresh off a Japan adventure, the duo set their sights on Nevada’s Ruby Mountains, tackling one of the most iconic couloirs in the range—Terminal Cancer.
The Approach: A Short but Steep Ascent
Splitboarding is all about the journey, and while the approach can sometimes stretch for miles, this time, the team lucked out. With the season’s shallow snowpack keeping the road open nearly to the base, they had a quick .8-mile skin to the bottom of the line—far shorter than the usual five-mile slog. But that didn’t mean it was going to be easy.
Terminal Cancer is a beast. The couloir stretches 2,000 feet up, slicing through the mountain like a natural halfpipe. At just 14 feet wide in some sections, it’s a tight, technical climb requiring precision, patience, and the right tools. Ice axes, crampons, and avalanche gear were all essentials as they ascended, sometimes waist-deep in snow, other times battling icy, windblown terrain near the top. It took just over two hours to reach the summit.
The Ride: Powder & Windboard Bliss
Conditions were mixed, but that’s all part of the game. Powder turns lower down made for some dreamy, surfy riding, while the windboard up top kept things technical. But regardless of the surface, the descent was pure adrenaline. Carving through one of the most aesthetic lines in the West, with towering rock walls guiding the way, is an experience that never gets old.
The Vibe: Reunited & Ready
This wasn’t just about the ride—it was about conquering one of the first of the ‘50 Classic Ski Descents of North America’. Vibes were high as the boys had just gotten back from Japan 24 hours prior to heading up the line. PLUS it was their first time seeing their buddy Harold (@tahoebc) again in at least a month. So the trip was tee’d up for greatness from the start.
The Essentials for the Mission
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Splitboard setup
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Ice axe & crampons
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Avalanche safety gear
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Epic group of friends
The right tools made the difference on a line like this, where conditions can shift quickly from deep pow to firm, unforgiving ice. From Japan to Nevada, the adventure never stops. ‘Terminal Cancer’ delivered a perfect mix of challenge, reward, and reunion vibes—just the way a backcountry mission should be. For Jack and Johnathan, it was another epic line checked off, but the search for the next one is already underway.