I will admit that there is a difference between descending a mountain on skis and skiing a mountain. However, it's a subjective differentiation that matters much to some and not much to me. Perhaps, if I were a better skier and capable of skiing big peaks in good form, linking turns on 55 degree slopes, I'd be in the other camp. Be that as it may, I am simply side slipping my way down these 14ers with Ellingwood Point the latest point in case.
Back to the front, I love the Lake Como area, the road is difficult, the approaches are hard, the area is remote, the peaks are a long way from trailheads, the vertical relief is awesome, its got it all baby. This was our 5th trip up to the area, my preferred logistic is to drive to the area around 8800 ft and camp at one of the 5 or so spots that are at the bottom the small hill. This puts you around 5k vert for a day trip up. I'd always rather do a long day with a car camp and cold beers than lugging big packs and having to ration whiskey at a high camp. As usual, it was me with my brother Mike along for the shenanigans, the plan was drive down on Saturday and hike and ski on Sunday then drive back. That's the ultra short TR, what follows is the detailed version.
The 4runner getting into the mild business of the como road.
Mike at camp, cold beer in hand, acclimating for the big day tomorrow.
We estimated 11 hours round trip for a climb and ski of Ellingwood. The basic formula for Team Extreme is totalHours = totalMiles/2 + (verticalFeetGained/1000), so in this case it's totalHours = 12/2 + 5000/1000 = 6+5, for 11 hours, ignoring the dimensional analysis this works well for us. Start hiking at 3am, back by 2pm.
Early day darkness, a moon and the lights of Alamosa.
The road went by smoothly, completely dry conditions till Jaws 0.5, then snow covered for the most part once in the woods. More snow down low than this time last year, the stream crossing was on a snow bridge. We booted all the way to Lake Como, arriving at 6am and met up with Matt from Fort Collins who was going up Blanca, he was a righteous dude.
Mike in the early morning light with Little Bear in the distance.
The snow was supportive for the most part due to cold temperatures and the skinning was fun through the basin.
Looking back down valley with the waning gibbous moon over southwestern ridge of Little Bear.
At the headwall below the bowl we had to bootpack, Mike and Matt went right, I went left and got this picture of them laboring arduously up the pitch.
In the basin Matt headed for Blanca and Mike and I assessed the situation. We're at 13k, the time is 9am so let's talk about the snow for a little bit. The snowpack was a frozen slab about 3-6" thick, below that was dense spring powder snow. There was evidence of some wet slides from the previous days, these slides released on just the top slab layer. As long as the snow stayed cold the slopes would remain in place. However, climbing this snow was a pain, because the frozen surface wasn't consolidated enough to support a boot pack, so you would break through then sink into the spring powder about to calf deep. It was arduous going, but with the temps absolutely freezing, little sun and lots of wind we had some variables on our side. We decided to head up from the lower bowl up the lower slopes about 500 vertical and gain the ridge as soon possible, then follow that to the summit. Once on top, we'd assess the snow conditions on the descent, if dangerous we could just descend the ridge till the angle relented. Good discussion as always bro.
Up, up, we go, Mike's backside.
When I'm kicking steps, this is Mike's view.
Taking turns, first I'd go, then Mike would go, then I'd go, then Mike would take over, that's how you take turns breaking trail. Here is Mike about to take over.
Getting up to the ridge with Little Bear in the distance.
Here's a picture of Matt climbing Blanca.
Looking at the ridge traverse to the summit.
Cool spot on the ridge with a snow panorama looking towards a whole bunch of other mountains.
Just below the summit.
The ridge traverse was fun, great views, high clouds over head, but you could see a long way in all directions. We made it to the summit at 11am and we have pictures to prove it.
The temps were still cold, the sun hadn't affected the slopes much at all, so the decision was made to descend the frozen slopes on skis. The snow was actually not too bad for just traversing, frozen snow, but not ice, totally side slippable and we stayed on top the entire time.
Mic number one, ain't this a lot of fun.
I dropped down first and did the traverse off the summit, then paused to watch Mike start his descent.
That ski isn't even making a dent in the snow bro.
We tried a couple turns lower down but still above the bowl and it just wasn't happening, just busting through and going head over heels. So we picked a small chute and side slipped down it like it was a 400 foot long rail. Here Mike is thinking, "I'm not sure what constitutes a legitimate ski descent but I am relieved upon descending that slope safely while wearing skis"
Once into the bowl we were able to make a few turns.
The gully above Blue Lakes had some decent turns.
Skating away on the thin ice above Lake Como.
Back at Lake Como at 12pm, looking back on Little Bear, 6 hours later.
Transitioning over to hiking boots, Mike turned to me and said "It's during these long walks down Como road when I learn the most about myself".
Back at the car at 2:15pm, 11 hours and 15 minutes after starting out, we learned a couple of things. First, our time estimation formula still works pretty well.. Second, whether skiing a peak or descending a peak on skis, spending time in the high alpine during the spring season is always a sublime journey filled with a dizzying array of sights and moments.
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