It was a rocky start to the season. First we got the truck stuck near the top of the Pass en route to Mt. Baldy (12,085) outside Crested Butte. After two hours of chaining up and digging out, we bootpacked about 1,000 vert up the ridge to scope the north face--it was thin (bare) off the top in most places, but looked good once you got down into it. Nothing like downclimbing 100 feet of 30-degree scree and hardpan, and strapping in with your ass hanging out over a thinly covered chute for your first turns of the year. Not to mention, it's Pete's first day on skis since he broke his femur last January. Warm-up run anyone?
After sketching-'n-straightlining down a chocolate-chipped swath of snow, I hit the apron via the shaded chute far looker's right, took a turn or two and stopped to snap a couple photos of Pete and Justin coming down from the next chute over. Probably 1,000 feet of soft turns top-to-bottom--not bad for October 18 in the Colorado Rockies--it's on people! Don't forget your rock board(s) and battle armor!
