Mt. Democrat Trip Report 04/25/2012

Peak(s):	Mt. Democrat - 14,154 feet
Date Posted:	04/25/2012
Date Climbed:	04/24/2012
Author:	Mrwaffles989
Additional Members:	mitrik

Excellent Spring Day
I refuse to let this season die. I met up with Mitrik and we began hiking from Kite Lake just before 6:00am. I thought Democrat was going to be bland skiing, but we actually found some fun terrain and great snow. Mitrik skins away from the sunrise. We climbed to the top of this bowl. The max slope angle is 44 degrees. Mt. Massive Mt. Elbert La Plata Peak Mitrik tops out on the first slope. I arrived at the summit. MrWaffles sports the V-neck I spotted this beauty, west of the summit. I will ski it soon. I began looking for the best route down, i.e. the most continuous. Emma Lake Chutes appeared to be it. This small section interrupts the skiing. We lounged around waiting for the corn to bake. Then started skiiing: We then arrived at this couloir. The snow was the creamiest of cream. I measured the slope at just under 45 degrees. Mitrik filmed the descent, and I photographed it. (photo by Mitrik) We exited. Mitrik went right to do some filming. I then skied off to the left. Looking up at the first chute. Mitrik over on a ridge. I then discovered another chute. This short slope is just under 50 degrees. A look up at the ski route. Still more to go. We skied all the way back to the parking lot, arriving just after 11:00. It was another great day in the mountains. Even with the lack of snow this season, I'm having a great spring. Looking to get down to the San Juans this weekend. Oh and since we got done so early, we went and finished the day at A-Basin. We behaved like children on recess. Snow conditions were weird so I ended up in the back seat. Spring skiing is the best skiing.

Excellent Spring Day

I refuse to let this season die.

I met up with Mitrik and we began hiking from Kite Lake just before 6:00am. I thought Democrat was going to be bland skiing, but we actually found some fun terrain and great snow.

Mitrik skins away from the sunrise.

We climbed to the top of this bowl. The max slope angle is 44 degrees.

Mt. Massive

Mt. Elbert

La Plata Peak

Mitrik tops out on the first slope.

I arrived at the summit. MrWaffles sports the V-neck

I spotted this beauty, west of the summit. I will ski it soon.

I began looking for the best route down, i.e. the most continuous. Emma Lake Chutes appeared to be it. This small section interrupts the skiing.

We lounged around waiting for the corn to bake. Then started skiiing:

We then arrived at this couloir. The snow was the creamiest of cream. I measured the slope at just under 45 degrees. Mitrik filmed the descent, and I photographed it.

(photo by Mitrik)

We exited. Mitrik went right to do some filming. I then skied off to the left.

Looking up at the first chute.

Mitrik over on a ridge.

I then discovered another chute. This short slope is just under 50 degrees.

A look up at the ski route.

Still more to go.

We skied all the way back to the parking lot, arriving just after 11:00. It was another great day in the mountains. Even with the lack of snow this season, I'm having a great spring. Looking to get down to the San Juans this weekend.

Oh and since we got done so early, we went and finished the day at A-Basin. We behaved like children on recess.

Snow conditions were weird so I ended up in the back seat.

Spring skiing is the best skiing.

Comments or Questions

GIR	__ 4/25/2012 4:31pm damn, surprised that you are still alive, and that you found some decent looking snow. FYI, that coulie to the west is Arkansas Mountain.
snowymountainsrock	Ski/Climb 4/25/2012 10:19pm What route did you climb? Would it be a good novice snow climb? Would the bowl(3rd pic) be a good first 14er ski descent? Thanks
Mrwaffles989	ski/climb 4/25/2012 10:56pm We just booted up the bowl in the 3rd pic and then walked to the summit from there. The slope's not terribly steep. It's a pretty smooth run out. I imagine you would be alright if you fell. Go for it.
snowymountainsrock	Route 4/25/2012 11:17pm Would I need to be practiced with ice axe arrest to climb this? Is the way you climbed it a specific route? Thanks
Mrwaffles989	' 4/25/2012 11:35pm No and no. My 1st answer would be vehemently argued against by other people. I didn't even consider bringing an axe or crampons, but that's just me. My partner on the other hand, did have an ice axe and crampons, and used both. I measured the upper slope at 44 degrees, so if you fall you're gonna slide a ways, how far depends. My mentality is one of, ”Well if you don't bring an axe, then just don't fall and you'll be fine. ” Take it with a grain of salt. Make your own decision and have fun.
snowymountainsrock	Thanks 4/25/2012 11:44pm Alright, I think I'll bring an ice axe and use it as an opportunity to practice. Do you have a picture of your acsent route from Kite Lake?
Mrwaffles989	Well if you already own an ice axe! 4/26/2012 12:05am and are asking if you should bring one, then that means that you should definitely bring it. I will dry a pretty picture for you and post in 5 mins. It's not a hard route though..
Mrwaffles989	This should answer all your questions: 4/26/2012 12:21am http://i.imgur.com/aH7Lt.jpg
dfrizzle	snowymountainsrock, 4/26/2012 12:48am when are you looking to do this ski? i might be interested if you were to do it friday
snowymountainsrock	dfrizzle 4/26/2012 1:23am Sorry, I was planning to do it in mid to early May.
snowymountainsrock	mrwaffles989 4/26/2012 1:45am What would you rate the bowl dificulty wise for skiing? I am not very experienced and might just want to glissade down. By the way, was your ascent route the same as scramble's? http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=11678&cpgm=tripmain&ski=Include
skiingrock	mrwaffles 989 4/26/2012 3:37am CONGRATS MAN LOOKS SOOO SICK AND SICK SKIING!!!! sorry i couldnt make
nychicol	Thanks 4/26/2012 2:28pm Thanks for taking me far from my cubicle in Chicago.
snowymountainsrock	Snow 5/3/2012 12:26pm Do you think that the bowl would be in condition to ski/climb in early June? Thanks

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