Sadly, Telluride has some of the better snow in the lower 48. Being one of the only ski areas that has all lifts running over the busiest holiday weeks however, means that this snow is skied to a pulp on the mountain. Off the mountain then, we imagined that one or two fresh tracks could be had, so we headed to Ophir and climbed over K-12 to ski to town.
sunrise in Ophir
There were those who said that the snow was too bad to make the trip worth while, and in some ways they weren’t far off, but the adventure is half the fun. Dawson White, Walker Tatum and I embarked at dawn and sniffed out a route with enough snow to skin on.
The first few hours were quick as we skinned on old mining roads under the waking sun. Luckily the switchbacking trails held some snow through this painful drought, for otherwise there is a large bare belt on most southern faces that is completely devoid of snow. Above tree line however, some snow barely covered up the scree and skins were folded for the boot-pack.
Walker in the scree
About 500 feet from the ridge the clouds arrived and with them was serious wind. Of course after weeks of near summer conditions and a forecast of nearly 50 degrees, the clouds and gusts roll in and the light goes flat just as we crawl over the ridge and get ready to ski. Dont get excited though, there was no snow in this tease of a weather front.
Dawson in the wind
The first pitch was skiing by guesswork. The snow was indistinguishable from the sky making for some erratic turns on a windblown crust. Then it opened up and we were on to the next challenge of navigating the very bony chutes and faces of Bear Creek.
Don’t get me wrong, there were some great turns and great times, yet most pitches and hoots were accompanied by the lovely sound of rock grinding on ski. It’s like trying to start a car that’s already running; terrible noises. Yet, these sounds are all too common in this dry December. I wouldn’t say ‘dust on crust’ to characterize the conditions in Bear Creek, just simply dust on rock. Amidst the core shots and spent legs though, it was a great day to get away from the abused resort runs and a fantastic time with some friends. I had a blast!
had to get in a Luna bar to replenish the estrogen
Thanks camera phone
Great work guys, certainly better than the resort right now
they still have way more than tahoe
Bear Creek is rad! Dig your writing Charlie. Keep up the good work.
We.Need.Snow.
Strong work guys, a classic. The Silverton side of things is surprisingly good right now, especially if you don’t mind doing a slog.
unofficially gnar char