Post
by Chicago Transplant » Mon Jun 01, 2020 10:40 am
I got out a few times, definitely had longer ski carries from trailhead to snow line than last year, thinner lines, and some funky snow. North facing routes seemed to not want to transition to spring, even had a rain crust on Sayres. Wet debris in some lines from the early May hot week, and now another hot spell with lack of freezes. And of course Covid closures. It was a weird spring. Probably could have gotten out more than I did, but had a few peak skis. Most of the snow conditions weren't great, but the lines themselves were fun.
Gore: Resolution, Bald, "West Deming", "Snow" and "Solitude"
Sawatch: Sayres, and some low angle touring near Minturn and Eagle when the resorts shut down.
I was down in the Monarch Pass area this past Saturday, no skis (figured it was too dry to be worth it). Aetna is done, 3 melted out rock stripes through the Grand and the apron is nothing but talus. Last year we skied it May 26 and had continuous snow until below the Boss Lake trailhead and a few more patches after that we could ski. Also skied Angel of Shavano last year May 27, directly off the summit until well back on the trail. This past weekend she only had one arm and her head was not attached to her body.
"We want the unpopular challenge. We want to test our intellect!" - Snapcase
"You are not what you own" - Fugazi
"Life's a mountain not a beach" - Fortune Cookie I got at lunch the other day