After abandoning my backcountry mistress that is Berthoud Pass for the better part of the past 3+ months in favor of laying down big lines in Rocky Mountain National Park, I decided to join the usual splitboarding knuckleheads Gary and Ed for a day of alpine chuting. The last time I was with these two, pillow-stomping madness ensued.
The stoke level was no different this day as we scored first tracks all day long as we ticked off four classic Berthoud descents for over 3k vert during a quick five-hour tour. Our day started with a race towards the top of Russell as we battled two others for the podium of who gets to paint the first canvas. As the first one up to the summit, our group got first choice down the North Chute. Conditions were about 4-6" of fresh on top of a slick surface that allowed for some high-speed turns on the down.
Ed showing how it's done:
After an effortless skin to the top of XYZ Chutes, we continued to find solid conditions before heading to Peter Rabbit Hut for a quick lunch break:
Wasting no time, we hustled up towards Postage Stamp (Gary and Cody in the foreground with Russell and XYZ visible behind):
Up until we reached the ridgeline, the wind was very calm but of course I had to open my big mouth and piss off whoever ws in charge. Our goal was to get into Frankenstein or the Hallway, but with gusts approaching 40mph, the decision to drop into Corner Pocket was a very easy one. No different than the previous two lines, snow here was excellent on yet another NE-facing chute. After a quick traverse across Second Creek, we found ourselves atop Chimney Chute dropping into First Creek. With 8" of blower at 35-40*, this was the glory descent of the day.
A look back towards Postage Stamp and the many options on both sides:
Video from the day:
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