If I was heading out I was going to make damn sure I was in good company.
Spooky day all around.
The constant sound of the bombs tossed by Vail Ski patrol resonated over the howling ridge top winds.
The bruised, purple grey clouds thickened and lowered all day over the scoured moonscape of the Gore.
Small tendrils of snow touched the tops of the peaks, but nothing from the predicted blizzard yet.
Geared up at Two Elk and we were off.
Our storm day was rolling along.
Up behind chair twenty-one, we get our first indicator of how things are gonna be .
Patrol holds us up at the backside of the lift.
Blasting over in Red Square, Wayne the patroller says fifteen minute wait.
No problem, EVI has nothing but total respect for patrol, so we hung out.
Another patroller and a Vail photographer were perched on top a hanging block checking it out.
It ran over the roll and into the trees.
Same place behind the path to China Wall that ripped a week ago.
It’s a great test slope as the 3o plus westerly winds load it fiercely.
Luke Will and I took notice and headed out as soon as they let us.
Wind loading was, no doubt, going to be a factor on our route decision.
Top of the World and we started poking around.
We all took a look over the ridge, assessed it, then we talked about it.
The snow pack was going to be shallower over there due to the East facing sunhit.
It was coated and blank and looked like a better option.
Scooted down the ridge and the corner at Joint point.
Dug a hasty pit.
Better than off the top of Benchmark.
Pulled out the handle of Little Pepe, and offered the drop to Will.
Skipping over the stepdown, snow coated rocks, Will took off down the left side.
The snow held with variable boot top to knee fresh on a thin pack.
Luke dropped next, me last.
Regrouped and leapfrogged down the pitch.
Dense, wind affected but yes, it counts.
Finally, after all this wait.
The out is still a pain in the ass.
It rolled past the flats and through the second cliff band, to the next flats.
HS-AS-R2-D2-I (look it up on Google).
Second Tele line was just as good as the first.
Both Tom and Stew seemed glad to get the first run monkey off their backs for the season.
Again the East face held the snow and no activity and blissfully out of the wind.
Thanks to them for letting me tag along with their group and for the pictures.
