Colorado Backcountry Skiing Reports – Independence Pass and More (May 30, 2005)

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.

Andrew with a corn eating grin — Independence Mountain backcountry skiing.

And then sometimes you don’t have a ladder handy…