[lmyers]

Well, Monarch Pass finally recieved a respectable dump with 13" falling out of this last storm. I am heading up to do my first bc trip of the year, looking at maybe Perfect Trees or dropping over into the North Fooses Headwall or Pecker Face. Should be a good opportunity to dig around a little and get familiar with the early season snowpack. I usually do these trips solo, but anyone interested in joining me is welcome.

 

[lmyers]

right on

i won't be around this weekend but would be intersted in making some turns in the season as i live in salida

I used to distribute salsa for you through Bradford's a few years ago - great salsa - shitty company. Last season I spent over 50 days in the backcountry and skied from the summit of 5 of Chaffee counties 14'ers, solo. So hit me up if your headed into the backcountry and want company, I'm almost always ready.
As for the thin snowpack - it may not be tomorrow. In fact Monarch got another 3" this afternoon and more is in the forecast for this evening. My main concern is how well the new snow bonds to the suface hoar that developed over the last few days...time will tell.

 

[lmyers]

avy conditions very dangerous

So the new snow didn't bond so well, I triggered a couple of small slabs that moved a little and then I was about to drop into this gladed slope:

<a href="Picoodle / screenie december Image" target="_blank"><img src="http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/3/12/13/f_december080m_6005acb.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by Picoodle.com" /></a>

When the whole fucking thing broke lose:
<a href="Picoodle / besi december Image" target="_blank"><img src="http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/3/12/13/f_december080m_fbd1104.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by Picoodle.com" /></a>

Considering the pitch of the slope and the fact that it was in tight trees I didn't expect it:
<a href="Picoodle / picture december Image" target="_blank"><img src="http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/3/12/13/f_december080m_243bbfc.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by Picoodle.com" /></a>
<a href="Picoodle / what you see while you re t december Image" target="_blank"><img src="http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/3/12/13/f_december080m_1eeccf1.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by Picoodle.com" /></a>
<a href="Picoodle / photo december Image" target="_blank"><img src="http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/3/12/13/f_december080m_2e35aef.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by Picoodle.com" /></a>
Be careful out there, this is the time of year when unexpected things happen.

 

[lmyers]

Gladstone Ridge?

Yeah, I was up there again on Sunday too. The snow is still a little thin, but getting better all the time. I had great runs through Pinball trees and Upper Christmas Trees (after a long climbing traverse), and there was enough (barely) snow to drop the skier's right side of Pinball rock and the rocks above the shack with minimal rock scrapage. Sounds like the forecast is going to give us another couple of feet by tomorrow night. You can bet I will be back up at Monarch tomorrow afternoon.

On another note, I went up and scouted some backcountry terrain off Cottonwood Pass today, and was wondering if anyone has done any skiing off Gladstone Ridge? I am thinking about climbing from the Collegiate Peaks Campground (once the snow settles) for a couple thousand foot descent of some nice looking glades. Looked like fun from the CT above Avalanche Gulch trailhead...

 

[lmyers]

Thanks RDNEK

Yeah, there was definitely not enough snow yet. I will probably wait until spring to explore the area thouroughly. Without a snowmobile ride do you think I will still be better off slogging up the road to Ptarmigan creek? It looked like I could possibly climb straight up a ridge-line from Collegiate Peaks Campground.
<a href="december08050.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting" target="_blank"><img src="http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w237/lwmyers/december08050.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>