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The True Summit Backcountry Ski Descent — Novel Approach on Missouri Mountain — Colorado Fourteener (06-06-2005)

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Missouri Mountain backcountry skiing.


This just in from Ted Mahon: “Missouri Mountain on Sunday. Count it? I’m crossing my fingers. Pole touching benchmark, Christy and I built the snow ramp about 30 linear feet. Have you ever had to resort to this?”

Well Ted, after everyone in the Dawson family finally quit howling with laughter at your novel approach to skiing from the EXACT summit of a Colorado fourteener (in the photo it appears Christy is laughing along with us), I have to answer your question. Nope, never threw any snow around to connect things up, but have skied over short sections of rock, grass, and dirt for same reasons.

I like your way better than the billy goat method. Less ski tuning and perhaps less road rash. And does it count? Sure. But despite my sometimes overblown writing on the subject of what makes a legit 14er ski descent, I hope I’m not going to start arbitrating it. Folks like you and Sean Crossen seem to have a pretty good idea of what a “real” descent entails. (If anyone wants to read my diatribe, it’s here.)

That is such a cool photo, with the benchmark within reach of the snow and the ramp leading down to nirvana. I love the way you guys left just enough room to touch the mark with your ski pole, instead of building snow all the way to the exact apex. Might as well leave some room for doubt (or humor). Pure art.

Backcountry skiing Missouri Mountain
Ted and Christy’s Missouri Mountain snow ramp. Built with pride.

Colorado backcountry skiing.
God built this part of their descent — rather
nicely I might add. A good job done by all!

Posted by Lou on June 6, 2005 | Filed Under Fourteeners 

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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