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Blue Peak Orbit – Independence Pass Backcountry Skiing

by Lou Dawson May 31, 2006
written by Lou Dawson May 31, 2006
A big thanks to Onx backcountry for making these post happen. Check out the Onx mapping app for your next backcountry adventure and click here to use the app to support your local avalanche forecasters

Packing for a Moab trip so quick report from yesterday’s glisse:

After a dusting of snow a few nights ago and the cool temps of a cold front, I figured yesterday would be a good time for a mega tour. Blue Peak is the high 13er just north of Independence Pass. We started at the upper switchback on the west side of the pass, climbed up Blue and skied a couloir on Blue’s east face. We then skied the “Two Mile Run” down into the North Fork Lake Creek (this is detailed in my book “Colorado Backcountry Skiing.”)

Skins back on, we climbed west to the Continental Divide and took a high pass south of where the Trooper Traverse crosses (I call this Petzoldt Pass), and found another couloir to ski into Lost Man Creek. We then climbed to the pass at the head of Lost Man, climbed and skied Geissler Peak, and made turns down the valley back to our truck.

The trip took about 6 1/2 hours — highly recommended as a tour if you’re blessed with a colder day. Small amount of new snow helped hide the dust layer, but it’s showing up again and the nieve is fading fast. Get it while you can.

Department of gear carnage:
With avalanche beacons I’ve got a habit of “put it on – turn it on” while still at home. I grabbed my Barryvox, hit the switch, and the thing was dead to the world. It simply will not turn on. Luckily I had a spare Tracker. Thanks BCA! I’ll send the Barryvox in and blog what happens. For now, let’s just say I’m not impressed, as the Barryvox has not been abused. What if the thing had quit in the middle of a trip? I love the small form-factor of the Barry, but function is somewhat important as well, to say the least…

Lou Dawson

WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain. For more about Lou, please see his personal website at https://www.loudawson.com/ (Blogger stats: 5 foot 10 inches (178 cm) tall, 160 lbs (72574.8 grams).

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lou.dawson.writer

www.loudawson.com
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3 comments

Mark May 31, 2006 - 9:04 am

Glad you had the spare transceiver. I’ve been thinking about upgrading as mine is about 10 years old, but having a spare is always wise too.

Alyson Wilson June 1, 2006 - 6:25 pm

I’ve never heard of a transciever just dying like that… What a great reason to gear up at home. As frustrating as it may be that your transceiver of choice kicked it, kudos to you for discovering it BEFORE you put on your skis.
-Alyson, thisnext.com/blog

Lou June 5, 2006 - 9:57 am

Hi Alyson, yeah, my personal standard is to “put it on and turn it on” — at home.

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