Tranquil Ruth and Glacier Basin Trail Carnage

What they don't tell you about the approach to Interglacier/Ruth is that Mother Nature has once again dealt a severe blow to the Glacier Basin Trail.  The river and stream beds have overtaken some of it, and in places, it is obliterated with avalanche debris but well marked with caution tape throughout.  It is about 3 miles before you can start skinning and there are a few river crossings--watch those edges of thin overhanging snow . . .

Now to the good part!  After reading all the accolades for Interglacier skiing, Jeff, Richard and I headed out early this morning to get some fresh June corn.  As it was, we noticed Ruth, looking a little quiet, a little demure and a little inviting.  "Hey, why don't we skin up that way a little bit and ski back down as a taster before approaching Interglacier?"  we thought.  The morning was still young and we were enjoying a casual pace, with no real agenda.  After lunch around the 7500ft mark, it was determined that the snow was in prime condition for a decent and we had to take advantage of it. 

Thus, we commenced first sweet turns of the day.  Wowwee!  Fun.  We had to do it again.  And so we did, this time all the way to the peak, where we ate second lunch and enviously overlooked the glacier and its lengthy, continuous line down.  (Not to mention the continuous masses of people compared to our desolate Ruth . . . ) After some hemming and hawing, we decided to go ahead and stick to the lines that Ruth had to offer . . .

It was perfection!  Coverage was excellent, the sun had baked it to a perfect corn, and cool breezes had kept the snow to a firm enough consistency not to leave us sinking in any kind of mush.  Turn after, lovely turn, we made our mark on the vast expanse of white; once again, enjoying a blank canvas all to ourselves!  8)

Pictures tomorrow.  :)