Mt. Yale Pow, Corn, and Gold

[RoanMtnMan]

The monsoonal flow across the state has been a bit of a frustration the last few weeks. Warm and wet, a bad combo for spring skiing. We spent last weekend car camping up near Independence Pass and the skiing left a lot to be desired. Hopes remained that all the rain was actually snow a little higher and that some 14er routes may be rejuvenated.

The forecast called for a potential reprieve the latter part of this week, so I set plans to head over to the Sawatch for a look. Wednesday showed sun, via the available webcams, hopefully settling any new accumulation.

I called the weekday partners and Chris was in for a Thursday outing. We were thinking Columbia via the Three Elks TH would be in and set a plan. We met early at the usual spot in Leadville and headed south.

On the drive down 24, Columbia came into view, it looked questionable, but possible. However we immediately turned our heads farther south, Yale‘s east face looked inspiring. Plans changed immediately. No research, no knowledge of the routes, gotta grab Lou‘s book. Chris thumbed through while I headed up towards Denny Creek, as I knew this was the standard summer route. About the time we arrived at the Denny Creek TH we figured out that we had a better option. We turned around and headed for North Cottonwood Creek.

We pulled into the Silver Creek TH lot, hurriedly grabbed our gear, and headed up the Colorado Trail. Not before stashing a little Gold in the creek of course.

The plan was to follow the CO Trail to about 12,000ft and then connect into the upper part of the Avalanche Gulch route. We set a solid pace up the trail in approach shoes and were on the east ridge in good time, having compensated for the late start with a hastened sweaty beginning.



The weather was holding, but we could see moisture was in the sky and it was only a matter of time before it organized into something more menacing.



The ridge was a little more than we predicted, not difficult, but long, sustained, a little class 2 rock, and some new snow to up the ante.



Wind was minimal and temps were warm as we took a break at 13,400ft to exchange shoes for ski boots.



The 3rd highest peak in Colorado was looking particularly good in the cloud filtered light.



The last few hundred vertical feet were standard boot-packing/post-holing over well- anchored rocks to the summit.





The weather was still holding as we evaluated potential descents. The routes down were less than optimal, but there were a few options obviously holding enough snow to prevent a new p-tex application.



We locked in, I did the standard rock dodge game off of the summit as Chris ridiculed me, and then the payoff.

Chris took the honors:



The snow was in great shape. Not quite powder, but pretty darn close for late May. Silky turns were had with only a few sharks jumping up to bite our skis. Chris performed his usual free-heel show, which I liken to butter melting on a hotcake. Smooth and delicious.





I followed:











More of Chris:



Some bonus points for Chris:







The basin below the summit has three exit couloirs. We chose skier‘s left and found some great corn.







After getting down we re-evaluated and wished we has chosen one of the two that are skier‘s right, but no complaints given the snow quality.

We were able to ski to 11,800ft before switching back to shoes on our feet and skis on our packs.



A look back up in the sun:



The trek back to the ascent trail was an unknown for us, but the local elk herd laid down fairly nice trails in the desired direction. As we picked out way back down, the sun reemerged with a few snow flurries still floated from the sky. Remarkably we hit the Colorado Trail almost exactly as planned and then an easy out to the truck. My knees were a little angry, but the cold Gold medicated better than ibuprofen.


Red = Ascent Blue = Descent

[Kirby]

Nice work!

Thanks for sharing.

[montanaskier]

nice work.

[Mike_Records]

Cool! the route diagram is very helpful/nice too

[squirrelmurphy]

Nice! Might have to come get some of that...

[The Dad]

Very nicely played, and great shots too.

[Lostinthetrees]

Swwweeeeet!
nice work and photos.

will tune in again to get another fix...
i am jonsin'.

thnx 4 sharing it!