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| Report Type |
Mini |
| Peak(s) |
Castle Peak - 14,274 feet
|
| Date Posted |
05/25/2017 |
| Date Climbed |
05/24/2017 |
| Author |
Tim Edinger |
| Montezuma Basin |
Solo skin/ski of Montezuma Basin on May 24, 2017. Began skinning at 6:20 AM with a view to recon Montezuma Basin to assess snow conditions after the most recent storm (05/17/2017). The 4WD road from the 2WD Trailhead (at Castle Creek Road) for Pearl Pass is open. However, the 4WD jeep trail is blocked at the first crossing of Castle Creek at approximately elevation 10,250. That is where I started my skinning; I went 4.5 miles into the upper basin, just past "the bump.". There is continuous snow from the 1st crossing of Castle Creek and there are two significant avalanche debris fields that are being actively worked by crews sawing downed trees. I do not expect the road to be open further up for quite some time. The footbridge over the creek is clear, and, as I stated, the snow starts on the far side of the creek (south side). From my start point the snow is in good shape along the entire Pearl Pass/Montezuma Basin roads. The switchbacks right after the bifurcation of the Pearl Pass & Montezuma Basin roads is where the snow will give way soon. On those switchbacks, there is less than a foot of snow which will melt in short order I suspect. The good news is that Montezuma Basin is loaded! The entire lower and upper basins will offer highly enjoyable skiing for weeks and weeks (yeah!!!!) I believe. There is some evidence of slide activity but I saw nothing that was too concerning, and the temps were in the mid 60's in the afternoon. The snow in the upper basin was - in a word - excellent. Chalk powder and plenty of it. I stopped skinning and transitioned to skiing after working uphill for 3 hours and 51 minutes and 3,333 feet of elevation gain. I was in the upper basin on the north face of castle peak at 13, 528 feet at my turn around point. Then it was sweet skiing for 35 minutes back to my start point. I saw no other human beings during my trip. Malamute, Conundrum and Castle Peaks all looked to hold awesome lines right now.
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