The alarm clock went off at 3am, in the car by 4am, and riding my bike with my skis on my back by 5am. All well worth it to catch a glimpse of a little early morning alpen glow.
With snow coverage being awesome our options on what to ski were plentiful. We finally decided on Queens Way, a snow ramp on the north east face of Apache Peak 13,441 ft.
The line follows the strip of snow going up the middle of the photo.
Approaching Queens Way; Great views of Navajo Peak and Navajo snowfield.
Evan, Chris , and Rob kicking steps up QW.
Rob topping out on QW.
Colder temps and wind kept the slope from changing into corn. The turns were still sweet and the lower half of QW corned up really well. After descending QW we realized that south facing slopes were actually in perfect spring condition, although it was already 1pm, pretty much the cut off time during regular spring ascents. Due to the cooler temps throughout the morning south facing slopes had taken longer to set up and were now calling our names....One more for the road....We had eyed this south facing couloir on Shoshone Peak while on Queens Way. Evans glove is actually pointing at it.
So we climbed it.....The larger of the two strips of snow being split by the rock buttress. The couloir on the left looks really interesting....maybe next time...
And then we skied it......Evan with the shot of the day....
Peace, Jason
