Yesterday, I was joined by my usual partner Chris G. as well as Andy F. and Chris #2 on a trip to Breckenridge where we would be interested in the non-resort terrain available through the backcountry gate on Peak 7. Knowing full well that the snowpack might not allow for runs down the east face of Peak 6 off the Tenmile Range or towards the west along Sky Chutes, we were up for some exercise and exploring. More importantly, it would give us an opportunity to see what avalanche conditions persisted for informational use in future endeavors.
With winds howling over 40mph and temperatures barely above single digits at 11,000 feet, weather was the main factor in turning us away given that we would ascend an additional 1,600 feet up. After a few choice minutes of conversation with ski patrol, we decided to bag the idea of getting up to the ridge and opted instead for a trip to Dry Gulch just north of I-70 and Loveland Ski Resort. In those choice minutes with patrol, we learned that (1) Sky Chutes hasn't slid yet this year and it would be best to wait for the natural avalanche cycle to run its course, and (2) Peak 6 is good to go. With that said, we'll be looking at Peak 6 next weekend if conditions allow.
As for Dry Gulch, it was my first time up there. Snow was super good on the south-facing trees we skied and the area is relatively easy to reach. By easy, I mean an hour-skin up from I-70; from there, you can lap the heart of Dry Gulch rather quickly. Unfortunately, the glue on my skins lost all adhesiveness after the first lap, so our day was sadly cut short.
Below is short video with some footage I got from the day (music is by Leftfield and their track featured in Trainspotting called "Final Hit"). Most of it incorporates a rather sketchy traverse back to the car that sat us high above some cliffs and with just enough room for a pair of fat skis to make their way across. I would be lying if I wasn't a bit nervous in some sections as the snow appeared at times ready to rip and send my body over a bunch of large rocks that wouldn't have felt all too pleasant. Luckily, patience and determination prevailed with both Chris and I now knowing how to exit Dry Gulch in a much safer manner.
3 comments:
Sketchy! Was there no other way to avoid that traverse?
Very sketchy indeed. But now we know that after you hit the main open terrain up high and you find yourself near tight trees, hang a HARD skier's right and keep traversing across to avoid the mess we got ourselves into.
Very nice. Had a buddy of mine fall down that exact traverse last year. Broke his hip.
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