This past weekend, Marble, Colorado. We climbed the standard skin track to the summit of Marble peak, then skied down the back (west) side into the Raspberry Creek drain. From there we climbed and skied Raspberry Peak. Photo above is Julie making her first turns of the day.
Scott near the Marble Peak summit, with the now classic view of the Elk Mountains.
Scott making turns off the back of Marble. He did the whole trip in a pair of alpine boots. After the day, he said a pair of AT boots are on the list.
Our goal for the day, the low angled easterly bowl on Raspberry Peak (11,930 feet).
Lisa, Julie and Scott with Raspberry behind.
Raspberry Bowl is about 1,000 vertical, total climbing for trip is about 4,000 vertical feet. Avalanche concern is mainly the northerly starting zones to your left as you climb Raspberry Bowl. Most of the low angled bowl is not a concern, though the steeper section near the top could be a problem given touchy conditions. For more vertical of quality powder, you can lap the back side of Marble Peak.
Funny thing about this trip was that once we returned, we got reports of the Marble area being incredibly crowded with backcountry skiers. We were the first car there, nearly the last to leave, and just saw a couple of people on the way up Marble Peak. Goes to show, if you get off the beaten path the backcountry is a big place. And if you want parking, just get up early and get the drive done.
Bonus shot. From the top of Raspberry you get a complete view of the stupendous west face of Mount Justice. Looks like a corn snow paradise to me (though even this got skied during this weekend's Marble circus).
Public service information about skiing the Marble, Colorado area.
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.
