I have a new love, and it is ski mountaineering.
When I first moved out to Colorado, a friend told me about his trip skinning up and then skiing down Quandary Peak. I've been dreaming of it ever since, and this weekend I finally did it.
When I first moved out to Colorado, a friend told me about his trip skinning up and then skiing down Quandary Peak. I've been dreaming of it ever since, and this weekend I finally did it.
Quandary Peak (photo from 14ers.com)
It was 11AM when my friend Tim and I left the Monte Cristo Trailhead (elevation 10,800'), an absurdly late hour to start climbing a mountain. Tim reminded me that I was thinking in "summer mode", when the daily afternoon thunderstorm endangers anyone trapped high on the mountains.
Monte Cristo Trailhead
Under a bluebird sky, we set out on a well-travelled ski track. Within the hour we hit the edge of treeline, and got our first good view of the snow conditions. Above us, the snowpack was thin, occasionally revealing rocks, but assuaging our avalanche concerns. Moving along the east ridge, we were soon above the reliable snow. But we chatted with a couple guys on their way down. They had boot packed up the ridge, then skied the north-east bowl back down. Great news!
With the promise of good turns in our future, we strapped our skis to our packs and boot hiked ever higher. Above 13,000 feet the ridge steepened, and I worked hard to keep up with Tim. We persevered, and suddenly we crested onto the summit traverse. A few quick steps, and we stood at 14, 265 feet above sea level. We enjoyed the view, savored a victory chocolate, snapped a couple summit shots, and unstrapped our skis.
With the promise of good turns in our future, we strapped our skis to our packs and boot hiked ever higher. Above 13,000 feet the ridge steepened, and I worked hard to keep up with Tim. We persevered, and suddenly we crested onto the summit traverse. A few quick steps, and we stood at 14, 265 feet above sea level. We enjoyed the view, savored a victory chocolate, snapped a couple summit shots, and unstrapped our skis.
Tim eyes the summit
Following the route recommended by our fellow skiers earlier, we schussed down a thousand feet of the east facing bowl. Even though the snow was rock-solid, forced into bizarre contortions by the winds, we were grinning. Tough snow meant aggressive turns--I suppose it was the satisfaction of meeting the challenge that had me stoked.
The East Bowl (photo from 14ers.com)
Our skis went back on our packs in order to climb out of the bowl. We sped across the high, bare section the ridge we had ascended, Soon we were back on the snow and in our skis. Expecting more hardpack, we were ecstatic to discover the south-east face of our descent was perfect sun-softened snow. Tim led, laying down telemark turns in perfect rhythm, whooping for joy. I followed, closing his turns into a figure-8, losing myself in the movement.
Five and a half hours after leaving the car, we skied up to the doors, dumped our packs, and headed home.
Summit Shot
1 comment:
Thought you might like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RexXDDA8RoI&feature=related
-Will
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