Comments on: Jet Lagged on Mount Sopris — But it was Good

By: Lou

Lou — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 15:10:59 +0000

Hi Craig, yeah, I recall we got trapped up there above an ice waterfall and had to bivvy, then finish the descent the next morning. It was epic, and amazing we didn’t just walk off a cliff. Not a recommended route!

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:06:42 +0000

Lou, do I remember correctly that epic decent off the back side down into the valley?. I believe we were young and spry and (with Mr. Barlow in the lead) thought it would take us directly down to the hot springs in the valley below, we could even see a light at one of the houses on the road and used it as a beacon.
But behold, instead it took us until past dark to get down out of those reverse gullys and around the waterfalls. Not a recomended decent unless one is ready to slog, slog, slog.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:10:33 +0000

Nice Work! I have been gazing up at Sopris from my Apt window on 2nd st. since I arrived in Carbondale this August. I have been chomping at the bit to ski it this year, and from the photos it looks primed. Where is the best place to access the trailhead for a spring descent? And, how long was that slog?

I’m also looking for people to get some spring descents in with this year. I don’t know to many people in town, so my BC trips have dwindled(insert frown here). If anyone is willing to take a chance on an unknown, I would love to tag along on some trips.

Cheers,
Chad

By: Sky

Sky — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:49:05 +0000

Good one, Lou. I always feel better above timberline, too.

By: Lou

Lou — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:23:51 +0000

Hi Adam, the coverage on the back was better than I expected. The way to do it is just ski the good upper part then skin back up to Bull Saddle. I’ve done the descent to Avalanche Creek once. It was epic, and not in a good way. The terrain back there is weird. All the drains slant the wrong way and there are cliffs, waterfalls, etc.

We’re ready for the Yamaha shuttle (grin).

By: adam olson

adam olson — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:53:20 +0000

lou,
skiied the Sopris yesterday. We could see your skin track from the lake. I wondered were you guys came down. How is the coverage on the back side? I have for years now have wanted to ski the entire south face to Avalanche creek. Its probable too late this year. We skiied in the main Bowl below the East summit. The conditions were great to about 12,000. The upper elevations are still harboring quite a bit of winter condition. We turned around Just below the steep headwall. A thin breakable crust on the N aspect above 11,500 will be a lingering problem. Conversely all S aspects were slush, and easily touched off. We found some great corn right down the middle of the bowl. Dodging the scree as we went. Also had a guest in town for the ski, so walking the road from the crown was our right of passage that day. Next time (next week) the Yamaha shuttle will be in action!