magnum it is.

     So today my usual people were back in town so we headed out to turnagain as the front range is still bare and we hadn't heard anything on hatcher pass.  After just now seeing The Uptracks' post from yesterday on Hatchers it looks like the snow may have been better there, but maybe later this week I will head that way. 
     The temps were SUPPOSE to be warmer today with a high of 16F but we watched the car temp hover at -4F at the trailhead.  Given yesterdays frigidity we were ready for the cold but hopeful for warmer temps up high.  With chilly temps, calm air, partly sunny skies, and crusty snow conditions we skinned up from the South Magnum parking lot to check out cornbiscuit/magnum depending on which looked better.  We went with magnum as the south slopes of that had a few inches of fresh-and-soft while the northern aspects of cornbiscuit were shallow and wind-buffed. 
     We skinned up the lookers right shoulder of magnum following the skintrack.  Once atop the summit ridge the wind pushed it from cold to bitter.  The whole ridge had a decent size cornice and the slopes below were dotted with remnants of a cornice break as reported on CNFAICs' website.  The rest of the slope looked good, so a wise partner suggested we ski it from there while the sun was holding off the flat light and save high/farther back for next lap.  We did, and it was worth it because at the bottom the clouds rolled in, hopefully they will bear more snow.  I think we saw the jeremy woods skinning up past us.  Then I think I saw him go up Sunburst, Tincan and then Pyramid? 

     Skiing was good on lap 2 despite the flat light we found some steeper stuff that was tracked just enough to provide some contrast but not so much that there was no fresh.  The ride from there to the car was tough: super flat with variable terrain features combined with carve-able crustiness.  Back at the car the temp read 4F.  At least it warmed up. 

     I was pleased with how the Lucy handled the cold.  She is definately a cold-weather dog and has the coat for it.  She looked quite comfortable.  I finally obtained a thermos that keeps my beverages warm and another ski buddy turned me on to beef/chicken broth.  The hot salti-ness hits the spot just before dropping in or after skinning.