Changed my plan from Snowmass to North Maroon after seeing avy/weather forecast (green, low wind). I have visited Maroon-Snowmass TH 13 years ago for Capitol, but remember not too much. So, I start skinning on groomed first 0.7mile. Soon at trail began, I cache the ski, despite relatively good trail (thanks Will). I’m not good skier. Actually Im not skier at all. Sometimes use ski an easy approaches.

I’m on my own. This initial 2.2 mile take me 1.5h.

The remaining planed 8.5 miles, will take me additional 8.5h. This trenching almost killed me. I’m probably to old now, for this kind of game. At list 13 years old Derek’s GPX, help me reach at night excellent camp spot at 11000’. With running water. Go sleep after 11pm, so no alpine start.

Looking back for my pace, I corrected my summit day plan. Now I will be pushing up until dusk. Going back, especially down, is OK for me with headlamp.

Next day, breaking the trail was easier, at least I feel it that way. Looking at GPX, my pace was even slower. 2 miles and 1400’ gain to apron of Gunsight Couloir (above some rock bend), take me 3.5h. Here I switched from snowshoe to crampons. Snow was soft and deep. Previous day small, wet avalanche helps me a little. But at couloir proper real battle start. The crust on top of snow was too weak. I’m sinking to thighs and must filing the hole with my hands, before next step. Short couloir alone, take me over 1h, almost 5 h from camp.

Things go better (means faster) above notch. With one exception. Less snow not always means more safety. One 2-3 yards long crux on bypassing Gunsight Tower was real NO FALL zone. Front pointing travers on small tuft of moss, without real handhold.

My way on north ridge diverted to much toward west face, which is way I climb to much class 4, even 5 short sections of rock.

The downclimbing went well, easier than the way up, with only one spot Class4.

Whole ridge above Gunsight Notch, both ways take me 4h, including almost half hour on summit.

Some section at Gunsight Couloir was impassible to walk down.

I sinking above knee, and broken crust prevents making the next step. Fortunately glissading in wet snow was solution.

After switching back to snowshoe, I take higher system of ledges, avoiding step rocky bends.

2h after leaving the notch, I reach my tent.

Next day, despite my slow pace, or maybe because of that, I was proud of my approach on first day. Long stretches of deep trenches, or rather series of holes, remind me of similar long approach to Slate Creek. Few years back, on my quest of winter climbing all ranked peak of Gore Range, south of Gore Canyon. But then, despite I was younger, I made 3 previous trips, each time breaking the trail 3 more miles, by the time I was ready to final approach.

Hiking back to my car take me 8h.

Please be merciful, English is not my native language.