Christy, descending Burnt Mountain towards Buttermilk. Low angle powder is OK, it's the big backcountry descents that aren't coming into shape.
This winter has not been like those of the past few years. We’re happy the huge early-season dry spell that settled in across much of the west has passed, and that the conditions in the ski areas are finally good. Unfortunately, the instability in the thin snow pack that resulted from our arid December may last through the entire season.
As a result, there’s been very little backcountry terrain that’s either good or safe, and even less that’s both– most would agree that when “thin” and “unstable” are the terms used to describe the current conditions, most of us would prefer to do something else.
You can count us in that group. Rather than dwell on the negative, we’ve been focusing on other activities, in particular, on the upcoming rando/ski mountaineering races, and I think we’ve filled out our calendar nicely.
It all starts this weekend, with the new skimo race at the Teva Winter Mountain Games in Vail. After that, we’re looking towards another go at the 12 Hours of Sunlight, the Aspen/Snowmass Power of Four, and the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse, for our 11th time. If we’re up for it, and this winter’s pattern remains the same, we might also try for the Breck Five Peaks, in April.
This past weekend, Christy, Anda, and I did a test run of our local Power of Four course, minus the Hanging Valley Wall and Highlands Bowl. It was a long day for sure (7.5 hours), but with the dark days of winter behind us and the races coming up, it was time to crack the whip. Conditions out there on the course were pretty good.
Anda and Christy scout the route between Snowmass and Buttermilk.
Christy, on one of the short descents. As the CAIC has noted, the upper layers have strengthened, while the lower layers have not. Once in a while we would punch through to the unsupportive facets on our skinny rando skis.
The Congo Trail was well covered all the way down to Castle Creek Road.
And Midnight Mine Road, as always, was a real drag. Better to get used to it though, right?
Ted,
Cool you guys will be over here for the Teva Games. Kristine & I are doing the Vail Uphill Heavy Metal event Sunday morning. Be fun to see you guys; however, I am gone Friday night & Saturday day doing a winter camp & climb over in Mayflower Gulch. Hopefully, I’m back late Saturday afternoon/early Saturday evening. Kristine will be around all day though and is slated to get her 80s party on in the village at Vendettas Friday night.
Brandon,
Sounds like our two events might have us staying in and going out on different nights. We’ll see, but one thing’s for certain, we will be happily sleeping in past the start of Sunday’s uphill. Good luck there, and have fun on your winter camp. If something changes, we’ll likely be skiing the area on Sunday.
We’ll stay in touch.
Good luck to you guys as well, Ted! I am happy to hear you will be sleeping in WELL past the uphill start time.
Stay in touch.
That looks like the general vicinity of the Government Trail, which I walked with my son and nephew a few years ago…from Snowmass to Aspen. A bit buggy in summer but a ton of fun.
That’s right, it’s pretty out there. I don’t recall the bugs being an issue, but maybe that’s because we’re often cruising through on bikes.
Can’t wait to see/read the results of the Power of Four. Excited you guys are doing that again! Maybe one day I will too…
That’ll be a fun one, if I can keep my gear in one piece.
We’re actually in Vail for the Teva mountain games COSMIC race tomorrow. Should be another long one. We’ll see.