It’s not skiing, it’s snirting. The new sport. Just find a place to dunk your skis afterward, and get ready to max the washing machine once you’re home. But a day in the mountains, no matter how close to a laundry soap commercial it gets, is still a day in the mountains. So yesterday myself, Nick Thompson and Dave Downing ended up skiing what I call the Teeny Couloir (left) on West Pearl Mountain. But not before a small detour as well as a pastry alert — and yes, muddy snow that’s coming to be known as ‘snirt.’ Check it out.
|
Another shot from the summit ridge on Pearl Mountain. I loved the light and the snow colors. I’m always glad Dave has that red Cloudveil jacket. Click image for massive enlargement. |
In all, a fun day, but the snirt is only good in small doses. We might get a coating of fresh here in central Colorado tonight, above timberline will be best. Hit the passes. Loveland, Indy, Berthoud. And be ready to activate your washing machine.
Check out West Pearl Mountain on the Google Map below.
[gmap name=’mymap’ lat=’38.985150′ lng=’-106.844444′ zoom=’13’ maptype=’g_hybrid_map’ desc=’West Pearl Mountain’ width=’525′]
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.