Couple days ago Jeff and I went out to check out some of the spring conditions we got here in the front range. Jeff had heard a word that Hagar Mountain had some decent lines in, so we went up and checked it out.
Obviously, tons of sun, a fair amount of walking across dirt, and some great long, sustained, corn that was begging to be harvested. I was messing around with my pretty silly rando stuff, as I’ve been getting ready for the Grand Traverse, and Jeff was on his usual hard chargin’ tele rig. We had a mutual agreement that I would wait for him on the way up as long as he waited for me on the way down. Who said tele and rando can’t be friends?
Worked our way to the saddle before the ridge. Sweet views! Here’s Coon Hill, looking SW towards the Ten Mile range. Lines look amazing. Spring’s here early, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good!
Got on the ridge and booted our way to the summit. I was feeling a sense of urgency as the snow was prime, but starting to get a little punchy in the blazing sun.
And spring time means alpine bouldering season, no? Scarpa F1s heel hook sooooo good. Who said skiers can’t boulder?
And Jeff found some amazing mixed lines. Here he is cruxing out with whippet in hand.
Time for the down. The snow was perfect: About 2-3 inches of consistent corn on top of a consolidated and frozen base. Obviously, with my rinky-dink rando set up, I made about a million turns getting down 1,200 vert. Jeff on the other hand, made about 4. I was, and still am, jealous.
Here’s a nice perspective of the line and the 4:1 turn ratio between rando and tele.
View from the bottom:
All in all, I gotta say I love spring skiing, even when “spring” happens to be in March. I know it’s 80 degrees everywhere and there’s a huge natural tendency to get the ropes and climbing shoes out, BUT, there’s still really good and fun skiing out there. Go and get sum!
Fingers
