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Poly crossing the Roaring Fork "creek" on the way to Independence Pass backcountry skiing. Kind of like the Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest? |
A moderate weather system hit Colorado today, so backcountry skiing is out for us. We need a rest day anyhow since we’re happy to report that Independence Pass lived up to our expectations the past few days. Yesterday we hit Independence Mountain for a couple of laps, then switched to t-shirt compatible recreation: sunny rock climbing on Grotto Wall. The ultimate Indy Pass day!
As always, bringing an extension ladder was the key to easy creek crossing of the upper Roaring Fork — and made for interesting photos.
Andrew, Poly, Perl and Louie nailed a nice line on the North Face for their second run, while Lisa and I served up seconds in the big east facing corn bowl. The easterly was still excellent at about 9:30 AM, though we wouldn’t have wanted to be there much later. Northerly might have been excellent all day, though late morning was prime time.
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It was cool to meet fellow valley residents Jim and Terry on top of Independence. Hats off to them for their successful spring backcountry ski season so far, including a beautifully executed descent of Mount Sopris Crystal Chute. We sure like making new friends on top of mountains! |
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Andrew with a corn eating grin — Independence Mountain backcountry skiing. |
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And then sometimes you don’t have a ladder handy…
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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.