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2-15-09 Jordan White's Birthday
Approach using Nellie Creek Road
Climb of South Face/Ridge
Ski Decent of South Face
5100 vert
16 miles
Crew: JCWhite, Maverick Manley, Derek, doumall
Finding peaks left on my list which are suitable for a summit ski has been tough this winter. After climbing to 13,800' on the Needle a few weeks ago and finding the crux dry, I set my eyes on Uncompahgre knowing the San Juans were scheduled for some heavy and wet. Maybe Mother Nature would stick some white on that wind blasted blob?
The morning was cold and got colder as we ascended. The trail was broken to the 4WD trailhead where 8 inches of fresh were stomped into line.
Skin Track:
Photo: doumall
The breaking was short lived. Once above treeline, we encountered wind blasted snowpack and a glowing 14k high block.
Uncompahgre from the SE:
Photo: doumall
Wide open:
Photo: doumall
The view of the south face begged the question: Is it in?
Ski: Prakash Photo: doumall
Unfortunately the forecast snow totals were way to optimistic and a recent wind event brought this beast back to typical boney form. Booting commenced to gain the South Ridge which lent a view of the Northern San Juan and a friendly wrap around into the West Gullies? They held snow!
Photo: doumall
There was 40' of booting required over bare scree around the corner. Above the cliffs we found more snow!
Photo: doumall
A short walk to the summit ended the up. The summit block stirred from its winter slumber to ask: "Are you some sort of racing team?"
Photo: Summit Block
After a nice nap Jordan and I began the ski as Prakash and Derek booted down to a deeper snowpack. There was some Davenporting taking place off the flat top on this fine winter morning.
Ski: Jordan Photo: doumall
We linked to the snowfields above the south cliffs by skiing through the grass on the lower left side of this photo.
Ski: Jordan Photo: doumall
We did get to make some turns up here.
Ski: domuall Photo: Jordan
We then had to remove the sticks for 40' of vertical down the top of the furthest South of the West gullies. Skiing commenced on the West side and didn't cease until the car.
Ski: doumall Photo: Jordan
We hooked a left out onto the South face beneath the cliffs to ski a more continuous and steeper strip of snow through the shark tank.
Ski: doumall and Derek Photo: Jordan
Ski: doumall Photo: Derek
Ski: Derek Photo: doumall
Ski: Jordan Photo: doumall
Ski: doumall Photo: Jordan
Finally we had beautiful breakable crust to play in.
Ski: Prakash Photo: doumall
Ski: Jordan and Derek Photo: doumall
Ski: doumall Photo: Jordan
And we all got a bit of air:
Ski: Derek Photo: Jordan
Thanks for making this trip happen the way it did Jordan. Good to get up top with you again Prakash. Derek, nice meeting you. A parting quote from a grizzly old man sitting in a Lake City bar: "Back in my day, we used to ski that Uncompahgre Peak backwards in the dark cuz it was easy... I tell hhyou hhwhat!"
Transparency is one of my project themes:
Red = Davenporting
Blue = skiing
Green = booting
Photo: Jordan, taken 1-17-09
Photo: Jordan, taken 1-17-09
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
The road should be an easy snowmobile barring several feet of fresh. This was number 42 of 58. Your skiing was vastly improved at Monarch after dealing with those alpine conditions Prakash. A healthy mix or resort and bc may be best for your progression?
Although those marked pics are from mid January and there is a slightly more continous line from the summit now, I would wait until some heavy low wind March storms improve the descent. A few people have been able to ski continous snow through the furthest west of the south facing chutes on heavy snow years. I feel ya though if you just go get it, there arent many choices up high right now
I was waiting for the next TR from you Joe . . . 11/30/2010 5:28pm
and it didn't disappoint. Glad you found some, if not the Sangres then the San Juans were evidently the place to look. Excellent report fellas and congrads on getting . . . number 43 is it now?? I can't wait to see what else the spring snow season has in store for you, keep em comin'! Oh and Jordan, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Toodles.
Awesome. I didn‘t imagine a summit descent was in the cards right now. Those pics with the route drawn out are great. Very useful for someone planning to ski this peak. Thanks!!!
Bill - If you need a partner PM me
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