Kit Carson Mountain

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skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
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Kit Carson Mountain

Post by skykilo »

Saturday morning, after an awesome night of funk music near Taos, a quick morning ski seems in order. Have a listen to Dumpstaphunk (seriously).

This is my 4wd Honda. Despite several new records this weekend, including pegging the speedometer to three digits (pick your units) and slaying some Colorado 4x4 action, it just got 33 mpg on that tank. Not bad.
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In the background is the backyard ski area. It's looking pretty tired. But it's almost too close not to go there.

Looking south from the top of the ski area. The smoke from a small fire is visible. In the distance on the right are the Sandia Mountains above Albuquerque.
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Corn for breakfast.
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After a quick morning ski, some work and some cleaning, it's time for a drive. This picture is spitting distance south of the Colorado border. This plug dome always makes an impression on me.
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It's called San Antonio Mountain and given that the highway is about 8k, the top of it is probably 9k. In a more average year there would be a lot more snow on it. I'll ski it if it snows next year.

About three hours lead to this view of the Sangre de Cristo mountains above Crestone, CO.
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A reasonable person could probably look at this view and decide the skiing up there is not so hot. But it's as much about personal exploration as skiing.

Before going to sleep in the car I hear on the radio, the full moon will look extra big since it's the closest the moon has been to the earth in 18 years.
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Crestone Peak: I really needed to put my eyes on this line. But it will have to wait.
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Oh well then, I'll just take a contrail to the head on top of Kit Carson Mountain.
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"Skiing" from the summit.
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This is actually quite nice.
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From the flip side.
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A view of Kit Carson from above Willow Lake showing a little ice flow.
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This could still be fun. The coverage seems to be better on the lower peaks.
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ziff

Re: Kit Carson Mountain

Post by ziff »

Brings back memories. I was there in '88. Gawd, am I that old?

Glad you are finding places to explore.

Charlie

Re: Kit Carson Mountain

Post by Charlie »

Awesome - Glad you hit the Crestone group! Surprised (and in retrospect not-surprised) you went this early. Lots of all-season fun to be had in there. I'd imagine Kit's Prow might pull you, even if it's 5.7ish. Adams has its own pull just for symmetry? Cottonwood Creek is a good and comparatively lonely approach, if you can solve the access issue. The thirteeners are the wilderness gems now.

Elsewhere -- so much cool stuff to do _near_ Chicago Basin; only the hike-up fourteeners are crowded in summer.

Sweet ride.

Edit: Grammar and style, yo.

Alex

Re: Kit Carson Mountain

Post by Alex »

Nice. You probably did more skiing this weekend than I did.
We did some wet and cold bushwhacking, followed by some creek traversing, followed by wind slab dodging.
It was "fun"

idahoalpine
from Idaho
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Re: Kit Carson Mountain

Post by idahoalpine »

33 mpg? My 96 Subaru is jealous.

Not to gear sniff, but it looks like you are skiing the TLT 5s. I need to upgrade my boots and was wondering if they can drive a 100mm ski?

Also, it's almost coolie season here in Idaho. If you (or anyone else on here) ever get up this way, the Sawtooths are bitchin'.

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skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
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Re: Kit Carson Mountain

Post by skykilo »

I bet the Sawtooths are bitching. It's probably a good season there too?

Regarding the TLT5 Performances, I'd say they definitely can drive a 100-mm waist ski. I've been skiing my King Salmons (180 cm and 94-mm waist) with them and they're pretty good. I need to try them on my 188 cm BROs. Let me put it this way. If you want to feel really freeride, you probably don't want these boots. If you want an incredibly light boot that's amazing for uphill and feels like a tennis shoe when scrambling and still offers surprisingly good performance on the downhill, then do get these boots.

Charlie, I just had to go there and see them for myself. I'm happy to be so close to such beautiful rugged mountains. It will be really great when they get a good storm. Plenty of 13ers (and 12ers?) caught my eye. I didn't see a single other person while I was above the town of Crestone, which is pretty cool in and of itself.

idahoalpine
from Idaho
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Re: Kit Carson Mountain

Post by idahoalpine »

Thanks for the boot info. I am leaning towards the Zzeus since I am still rocking the Zzeros. Maybe Zzeus this year, and then upgrade the Zzeros to the TLTs next season for long distance missions.

The Sawtooths are having a fairly good season. Not as filled in as they could be, but filled in enough to have fun through May at least!

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The Sickle Couloir, Horstmann Peak

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