Micah was kind enough to tolerate a departure at a reasonable hour on Friday morning, so we could climb at Penitente then scope the range before making a final plan on what to ski. After having a single carrot for lunch and getting schooled way hard on the ultra classic 5.12c, Los Hermanos de La Penitente, a couple of beers had me feeling loose. That climb is desperate. It probably would not have been on the itinerary had we double-checked the grade.
This view had us convinced that conditions were much better than last year on the northwest side of Crestone Peak.
See that enticing sliver of snow? Yeah, let's do it again.
We found a van with a view then had a nap.
The approach felt so cruiser! And conditions in the upper basin were good.
The climb was in much easier condition. Still not fully skiable, we elected to leave our skis below the first choke/ice bulge.
We dealt with less ice and no rock.
Except for that last little summit crux.
We quickly climbed down to our skis. The snow was confusingly good -- a mix of alpine windbuffed powder and perfect corn, but somehow never too sloppy or sticky and plenty stable!
First turn.
Nice snow.
So aesthetic.
Conditions were superb the whole way and we were able to ski to the trail through some wicked terrain on the opposite side of the basin. Micah enjoys a fun little straightline.
That might have been my most gratifying day skiing since moving to New Mexico. Content but not done, we had plans for the next day as well.
Crestone Needle is a spectacular experience just like Crestone Peak. The next day found my ski cohort moving a little slower. Despite an earlier departure, we would have been much too late if Sunday were as warm and sunny as Saturday. But it was cloudy in the morning then windy throughout, a blessing in disguise. There were four adventurers on the Needle as we approached, but they were leaving by the time we finished the approach.
The south side of Crestone Needle.
Micah finishes the approach through the "Eye of the Needle" feature.
One of the earlier parties described the conditions as "bulletproof" but to our great fortune, a mix of intense sunshine and strong wind gusts cooked the snow to perfection for us.
Now how much low pressure is in store?
That was fun! I really need to go to bed now. Good night!
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