Mt. Belford
Peak#15: March 11, 2016.
Elevation: 14,197’
Ski Route: West Face
Roundtrip Mileage and Vertical: 15mi / 7,500′ (Includes Missouri, Oxford, and Belford all in the same day)
Ski Partners: Natalie Moran (Met me on the summit so we skied down)
Start Time: 545am
Reached Summit: 3pm (after skiing Missouri and Oxford first earlier in the day)
End Time: 430pm at Missouri Gulch TH.
Next I arrived on Belford’s summit after coming from Oxford and was greeted by a Russian woman named Natalie who had climbed Missouri and had come back across the valley to bag Belford. We both agreed that the ski descent of Missouri was excellent and thought we could probably piece together a reasonable line on Belford’s west side.
We skied past some small towers and made the most of some great turns in the warm afternoon sun.
Then the fun part was cruising down the basin back towards Missouri Gulch and the trailhead above timberline on fast slopes in the creek bed.
The only thing slowing me down now is that I broke one of my bindings in deep snow in the trees on the way down…luckily I have a bit of time to get if fixed this week as this Colorado storm system moves through, plus it should help with more snow!
As I entered the trees I started to take stock of the project. Feeling amazing so far and off to an excellent start through about the first quarter of this endeavor.
I appreciate the support from many so far. I have had a handful of great partners to join me, and I’m sure there will be more on the horizon. On to the Sangres for a bit next!
Cheers-
Dr. Jon