Ski Mountaineering in the Elks

Ah spring, that wonderful time of year when warm weather brings us all out of the dark winter. For some, it means getting back on to sunny cliffs, and remembering the movement that lay dormant all winter. For others, it means exploring the mountains while they still have their winter coat, taking advantage of a stable snowpack and the fitness you’ve gained over the last couple of months.

Ski mountaineering is an incredible way to explore the mountains. You get to climb fantastic peaks, and then instead of the knee jarring descents of summer, you can gracefully arc turns the whole way down. At the bottom, look around, pick another summit and head on up. The mountains truly become a playground, where you are only limited by your imagination and fitness.

Last week, five of us spent four days exploring the Elk range between Aspen and Crested Butte, staying in the Green-Wilson and Friends huts. The terrain you can access in the spring is simply amazing. The first couple days brought snow and lots of wind, which created dangerous conditions on the peak that was our main objective. We had to settle for some “lesser” goals, which meant fun skiing off 12,000′ peaks. Our last day was sunny and warm, perfect spring conditions, and we took full advantage of it. After we climbed to Pearl Pass, we headed up Pearl Mountain (13,300′). The small summit was an excellent reward, as were the fun turns down the massive north face bowl. We ducked into a fun chute for the last bit and then headed over to climb Mace Peak.

After sunbathing on the summit, we dropped into some north facing couloirs that presented numerous fun options for the descent. The runout was silky smooth snow where you could really open up the turns and feel the wind on your face. We basked in the warm sun and took one last glance at our tracks before pointing our skis down the trail and back to the car.

It appears spring has finally arrived, and more warm weather is upon us. With all the snow in the mountains this year, it should make for an incredible spring season, and many more peaks to explore and enjoy. One of my favorite aspects of skiing is that you leave your mark in the shape of your turns, but with the next storm all evidence that you ever passed that way disappears forever into the past.