Morning beacon check on the way out of Coyote en route to Tornak Hut
We are just returning from a hut to hut tour between Coyote Yurts and the Tornak Hut. While the valley approaches are relatively thin snow, it is quite supportable and allows for quick and easy skinning. Once above 8500′, the snowpack gets deeper and we were finding good to very good boot-top powder skiing on cold aspects (East-North-Northwest) and even skied a run of corn on the south bowl of Fox Peak. Yep, corn in December! The Thanksgiving rains, early December powder and the past 2 weeks of high pressure (with inverted temperatures) have made for some of the most unique early December ski conditions we have seen. The snowpack and ski conditions resemble spring-just thinner. It’s not really a bad thing, although we would welcome a 3 foot storm of cold smoke! Skinning is easy, the pack is supportable and the stability is generally good. We are seeing snow depths of around 1 meter above 8500′ in this zone (on cold slopes) and around 50-60cm of supportable melt/freeze (corn!?) on warmer aspects. Both Coyote and Tornak Huts are looking great and awaiting more skiers to enjoy their cozy confines. The new sauna at Tornak Hut is fantastic! Laying on the top Sauna bench while gazing out the window and catching the alpinglow lighting up the Boulder Mountains is quite a way to top off a ski day. Come on Up!
Shadows in the burn
Spooning them nicely
It’s a powder skiing palyground out here!
Ridge running
arcing through fields of untracked pow
Laying into smooth powder
Backcountry Art
Climbing toward the mighty Tornak Peak
Climbing the “American Direct” on the mighty Tornak Peak
Izzy, stoked after a mixed ascent
The team atop the mighty Tornak Peak
Enjoying a hot lunch at Tornak Hut
Wolverine tracks atop Fox Peak
The Pioneers dominate the view south
Jess, conducting some baseline stability tests
Sampling the East powder on Fox Peak
The Grouse are numerous in this area
Ski track, and the Coyote Yurt visible on the point
ah, the burn creates some striking textures
Evening light on the tour back to Coyote Yurt
Sunrise at Coyote Yurts
Morning light at Coyote
Where to next? Let the signs point the way!
Practice, practice, practice is the only way to become truly proficient with avalanche rescue
Tracks in the Burn
Morning powder off the point of Coyote
Who says Tele is dead? Miles sure doesn’t think so!
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