Pete Anzalone, yesterday, North Side of Geissler Peak, Independence Pass area, Colorado.
Due to a series of cold fronts, snow above timberline in the Independence Pass area has held up, though obviously not as good as would be after a normal to above normal winter. We estimate about two weeks ahead of schedule in terms of coverage and melting. In other words, similar to backcountry skiing on the pass a few days after the usual Memorial day opening during an average snow year. Obvious variations have occurred due to microclimactic variations in snowfall. For example, drainages northwest and southwest of the pass have noticeably more snow (but of course are harder to reach during day trips).
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.
