I decided to explore the area given that the lines are relatively unfamiliar to me and the visibility was good. I headed up to the Rock Garden by the Pinnacle intending to take the low-angle to the far NW corner but after seeing an enticing slope nearby with a bit more grade I skied down and re-routed. There were several lines flowing down into the Rock Garden that look super fun. Noted for future use.
Up the Gold Chord way I went. Though not going to the top the ski was pretty good considering everything that isn't that great right now. The sunshine, calm weather and vistas helped. While skin-ripping I glanced up the High-grade mine and saw some fun terrain. Though in the shade I skied down to it and skinned up to the area between Birthday Pass and the Lost Coulior.
Just as I decided to turn it I popped out of my left ski, accidentally kicked it and watched it slide down the run. This was a first for me. An event not unheard-of but definitely a stoke killer, like a kid getting socks for Christmas. It could have been worse but thankfully it stopped since the skin was still on it, only about 200 vertical below. I re-did that section and skied out to sun as this run was in the shade being late afternoon. Come February I do like my sun.
The legs are behind scheduled fitness level relative to other seasons so I headed back to redo the Gold Chord run as my conclusion and ski it to the car. All-in-all it was great to get some AT turns in. There was about 3inches of stale powder on a supportable crust that was better than windboard in the front range or the hike-to terrain in Turnagain. I also saw a few ideas for the future inspired by a number of already-been-skied lines. I haven't given up hope on new snow yet.
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| beautiful skin track, but not mine |
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stunner of the day, emerging from the shade |
i love the "stunners"... i always appreciate the updates on Gods beauty. Thanx AJ!
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