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Team: BeefCake, C-Bass Route: Standard Democrat Route Time to Summit: 3 hours, 40 minutes RT Mileage: 6 miles Avy Gear?: Yes ATV?: Check
'Twas time for C-Bass to get a ski of Democrat, so we opted for the standard route due to recent hot temps in the area. After getting permission to hit the actual summit, we were set for an easy climb on the 1st of June.
Because "Cheating" is my middle name, we brought the 4-wheeler along to blaze the first couple of miles on the Kite Lake road. Turns out that the large snowbanks near the Paris Mill - normal winter closure - were the only thing blocking a 2 mile ride up the road to more serious snow cover.
After the 5 minute ride, we were at 11,600' and 3/4 mile below Kite Lake. Skis on feet and we were off by 5:15. Why so early? Well, it was only supposed to get down to 34 degrees at 13,000' the previous night and we wanted to hit corn before it turned to slop.
Skinning near Kite Lake:
Democrat's east slope seen from approx. 12,600':
A closer look at the ascent line and snow that would suffice for a June ski:
Climb and ski line:
Plenty of snow on the summit ridge:
*** WARNING ***
If ski photos make you nauseous, click your BACK button now!!!
C-Bass:
BeefCake:
Looking back at the easy ski:
What a great morning!
Hmm, if there was a tree around we could have winched it out instead of digging a 15-foot long trench (29 minutes, 2 cups of sweat, and a few more calories burned). Still beats 4 miles of walking
With the exception of this 50-yard patch of soft snow that we had to blast through, the road was a breeze.
serialclimber,
The simple answer to your original quetion is ”Yes,” but do your research and try to get permission from the owners. Or wait until later this summer for a possible opening.
that the first time I've ever picked up skis, I would have skied a Fourteener? It was a breeze for me to shovel that trench, BTW. You did scare me at first though skiing with such a wide stance like that first picture, I thought you almost didn‘t belong there more than me!
Next up for me: I'm going to rent another pair of sticks and give Capitol a whirl. That one looks so cool!
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