A journey skiing and exploring Colorado's highest peaks

Tag: Jons Journeys

A big week in the Elks and the San Juans, Peaks #44 – #48 Completed. May 20-27.

Eric on the summit of Eolus right after sunrise.

Eric on the summit of Eolus right after sunrise.

Skiing peaks right off the top in May in Colorado: doesn’t get any better than this!

With snow conditions at their peak, and some cooler weather mixed in with some bluebird days, dating from the 19th when I skied North Maroon with Chris and Ted, I have continued on to ski South Maroon, Eolus, Sunlight, Windom, and N Eolus,  and spent time on Pyramid too on two separate days bringing the total to 48 peaks.

Looking north from the summit of Maroon Peak 14,156'. Even though I still have to get Snowmass and Capitol (seen in the distance), I skied both peaks last season so I have plenty of confidence in those two!

Looking north from the summit of Maroon Peak 14,156′. Even though I still have to get Snowmass and Capitol (seen in the distance), I skied both peaks last season so I have plenty of confidence in those two!

I was able to get South Maroon done last Sunday the 22nd of May.

 

Eric dropping in on North Eolus with Eolus in the Distance.

Eric dropping in on North Eolus with Eolus in the Distance.

Then it was on to the train and a date with the Chicago Basin 14ers up from Needleton.  I went for the proverbial 4-Banger and skied all four peaks on Tuesday the 24th.

Skiing off Sunlight 14er.

Skiing off Sunlight 14er.

After some low pressure I’ll get back out and ski the Wilson Massif and try to get these peaks done by mid-June!

Skiing Sunlight with the 13,995' Sunlight Spire above.

Skiing Sunlight with the 13,995′ Sunlight Spire above.

Cheers- Trip reports will get added as time allows.

Nice turns on Windom on the north face Widowmaker.

Nice turns on Windom on the north face Widowmaker.

Dr. Jon

 

 

Peak #31 – Mt. Lindsey – 14,042′ April 13: Small Avalanche….

Mt. Lindsey: April 13th would be my 11th 14er peak skied in 13 days in April. Mt Lindsey was an exercise in risk management.

Summit, 14,042' in complete powder.

Summit, 14,042′ in complete powder.

A long 23 mile day in fresh powder made for an awesome ski and some surprises around every corner.  A landslide to navigate and an avalanche.  Check out the full trip report here:

http://skiing14ers.com/31-mt-lindsey-14042/

Avalanche video on the ski descent is below.

After the storms this weekend I will get back out there to keep things going so that I will be ready for prime time in May and the home stretch.

Thanks for following along!

 

Dr. Jon

Peaks #20-24: 14ers Sunshine, Redcloud, Handies, and San Luis April 3 & 4

MOUNTAINS IN ALL DIRECTIONS! A Four Peak Slam.

San Luis 14,014', 4th peak in two days.

San Luis 14,014′, 4th peak in two days.

I seized on incredible weather for the weekend and did a ‘Triple Feat’ on Sunday, up and over Sunshine from the Mill Creek Trailhead, skied to Redcloud, dropped down to the Grizzly Gulch Trailhead and then did an out and back to Handies, returning down to Mill Creek by way of the Cinnamon Pass road.

Heading from Sunshine to Redcloud.

Heading from Sunshine to Redcloud.

All told about a 18 mile loop in 15 hours to climb and ski #21, #22, and #23 of the project. And what a glorious day in the San Juans it was!

Roger coming up the north ridge of Handies for the third summit of the day.

Roger coming up the north ridge of Handies for the third summit of the day.

Thanks to Roger Carter for battling all day with me on those three peaks and for Anna Migl for coming along on the first two.

San Luis was 19 miles for a spectacular ski tour.

San Luis was 19 miles for a spectacular ski tour.

Then on Monday April 4, I was heading home but knowing that the weather was good, I traveled up solo towards the Equity Mine and approached San Luis from the south Creede side and was able to ski peak #24 of the project. This allowed me to close out the peaks in the Eastern San Juan range, which will be a huge boost to allow me to concentrate on other peaks moving forward.

On Redcloud's Summit, excited for more.

On Redcloud’s Summit, excited for more.

So far so good! The weather is bad for a couple of days now but I will be back out at it later this week, stay tuned for the full trip reports in the ‘ski the 14ers’ drop down menu.

More to come, see you out there!

Dr. Jon

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