So I'm finally posting some pics from this last weekend's Yurt trip to Pearl lake near Steamboat Springs. Our objective was to track out Farwell mountain 10,800ft, and ski some of the best aspens in the state. Upon our arrival Thursday afternoon a fresh 2 ft of snow awaited us, so we headed for the top with much trail to break. After a grueling 4 hours of breaking trail to the summit we were finally rewarded with an alpen glow backdrop and face shots of some of the softest powder I've skied all year. It was awesome, effortless skiing through perfectly spaced aspens.
Chris skiing near the summit.
Friday brought us perfect snow but not so great light for pictures. Chris got some interesting footage with a home made helmet cam. The snow seemed to be preserved due to the cloud cover and cold conditions, but things were soon to warm up and spoil our soft snow. Surprisingly I got some of my best shots on Friday. One of Chris Miller in what we snow ninjas call the "Combat Position" and one of Aaron with snow ninja tools in tow. Notice the whistle and scraper attached to the "dummy" cord.
Mike and Jason joined us on Saturday along with warm temps and clear blue skies. So warm that the pillow light soft snow we skied just 8 hours earlier was now turning into a gloppy mess. Snow, heavy with moisture from the warm temps, was now acting like cement on our skis, slowing uphill progress, and making the descent tricky. But it was sunny and warm, it kind of felt like spring, hard to complain.
Evan showing off a fine example of what we backcountry skiers call "Glop". I'd say this is a serious case.
With this being my second trip to the pearl lake yurts I got the same impression from my last trip; peaceful isolation, no other skiers, cozy yurts...They actually have electric heat.
So with a keg of Upslope and some of the best food I've ever eaten off my vintage Coleman stove
we lived like kings. Spaghetti, lasagna, and oh yea, shrimp quinoa stir fry....."Mighty Ninja Draw Power From Ocean ! "
Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible, The Doc for reserving the hut, and especially the hard core DBC crew for covering for us and making it possible for myself in particular to attend this great trip.
Peace, Jason
