The are good ski buddies and then there are ski buddies willing to put their bodies on the line to save you from an uncontrolled descent into rocks.
Gus Bosch was recently on summer ski adventure with his younger brother on Skyscraper Glacier in the Colorado backcountry and was looking uphill after taking his run only to see his sibling sliding out of control directly into rocks. Gus boldly sidestepped to intercept his brother and willingly accepted the a substantial impact to avert what could have been a critical situation.
After everything settled down, they discovered the little brother had double ejected on the icy slope because his DIN was set “super low” as he had made an adjustment for indoor skiing. Excellent reminder to choose your ski partners wisely and to double check your gear before heading into the backcountry.
Skyscraper Glacier
Skyscraper Glacier is a prominent perennial snowfield on the south side of Skyscraper Peak in Colorado’s Indian Peaks Wilderness, often mischaracterized as a true glacier but still retaining snow through much of the year and offering adventurous skiing and hiking routes.
Location and Terrain
- Skyscraper Glacier lies just south of Skyscraper Peak, which rises to 12,385 ft north of Rollins Pass and south of Devils Thumb Pass in the Colorado Front Range.
- The glacier (more accurately a large, persistent snowfield) typically holds snow year-round, though the steep upper slopes—about 50-55 degrees—make it challenging and potentially hazardous for skiers and climbers, particularly in late summer when snow conditions degrade.
RELATED: Mt. Baker Skier Misjudges Snow Bridge & Nearly Falls Into Glacial Crevasse
