Sometimes the best part about getting out of bed so early is to be able to see this sight from so high.
This spring has really been an incredible experience if you are a backcountry skier. As you can see from Lou’s posts from Independence pass, we have an amazing amount of snow, and every few days we seem to get more of it. Incredible. I would like to be able to tell you I have been taking full advantage of it, but in truth I don’t think my feet can handle that many days in ski boots. We have skied powder in every month this winter and spring, even as recently as yesterday on Pyramid peak. Tuesday was a popular day in the high country. As we gained the amphitheater below the north face of Pyramid we could see little headlamps out and about in the different basins of the Maroon Creek Valley. Everyone had seen the same forecast as us and was taking full advantage of the nicest day in a week.
Austin climbing his way up the ridgeline on the Northeast shoulder of Pyramid. The climbing is fun and exposed.
Austin and I had our own plans to go see if we couldn’t snag a later than normal ski descent of the Landry Line. In the end we did just that.
Austin making turns in good powder conditions on the Landry Line. Is it really May 31st?
Just a few photos here, but if you feel like seeing more words and photos a more comprehensive report is located over at Elks and Beyond.
Jordan White is a strong alpinist who finished skiing all 54 Colorado 14,000 foot peaks in 2009. He guides, tends bar, and lives the all-around perfect life in Aspen.
12 comments
Last time I saw Jordan he showed me feet that looked like those you’d imagine Quasimodo had, and said he was going to have to hang up the planks for the season. Next thing I know, he’s skiing Pyramid for the third time and making sure the East Ridge booter is in so Pyramid remains the area’s best attraction now that Highlands Bowl is closed. It’s all just overwhelming (grin).
They look no better after Pyramid.
I buzzed around the area this morning in an aircraft and it’s pretty amazing how fast things are melting. North Maroon still looks really good and I could see plenty of tracks on Pyramid, but the choke in the middle is looking like a rappel now and there’s more snirt, so I assume the bottom would be a total mess. I looked a bit at Castle but didn’t see anything notable there. Then I went up to Indepenence and looked around a bit, scoping the loop we skied Tuesday. Obviously there’s still lot’s of snow but also more snirt, and more evidence of isothermic shedding just like everywhere else. The Roaring Fork river was fun to see from the air, lots of water in there!
Jason,
The exit couloir is a pretty easy down climb if you don’t feel like risking it on skis. But, yes it is certainly pretty much out for season.
J
I watched Jordon’s video on Vimeo skiing the Landry Line on Pyramid. First of all I’m not worthy. Second I’m very happy that I’m not the only one that slides a lot on steep stuff. I noticed his Dyanfit toe pieces appeared to be locked in as well. No surprise there; dangerous terrain. What a great video and thanks for sharing it. It’s June and the steep stuff is perfect right now and wow. To repeat what Lou said. Grin.
Very nice report Jordan. You and your compadres are really getting after it.
Thanks Mike! I need to meet you for lunch or something and talk about that trip.
Jordan, call me 920 1144 next time you are in town. Super happy to help your team however i can. You guys are going to do some amazing things on top of what i have followed on WS over the past few years, no doubt about it.
“Isothermic shedding,” is that kind of like “sluff management?”
It’s when it all turns to goo, at least that’s what it looks like from the air. I mean it doesn’t really look like there are defined layers so much now so I guess it’s all at pretty much one temp and that it’s flowing like …a fluid? I guess if you looked really close though you would still find distinct layers. The cryosphere in transition.
Jordan, I am in the same boat as you with sore red feet this spring. My advice would be to take it easy, or get better fitting boots. When your feet are inflamed, that is when they lay down more calcium in response to the pressure/injury that is happening. Those bunions, sixth toes, heel spurs, and atomic fire balls on the top of your arches only get worse with time, and they can lead to surgery. Way to get after it though!
Jason, yeah, I know what you mean. The snow gets to a point where it doesn’t really break off in a slab, but a flow begins and gets larger, not unlike water flowing down the hill.
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