May 3, 2009, Front Range, Colorado
5/3/09
US elsewhere
1475
3
Day 41
5.03.09
Front Range, Colorado
3,000 vertical of May Powder
My first run was at 6 am from my highpoint.
Coming down the mountain - 1,000 VF of 6 powder over a mushy corn base, skiing absolutely perfectly - the morning sunrise splashing the white snow yellow and gold, the air still, cold and calm. A dense fog bank hangs over the plains providing the cloud sea effect so reminiscent of PNW. Why, wasnt it at Alpental that I last had a May powder day so exquisite? Yes, another solo day, another century ago¦
Powder skiing in May is one of the most sublime of pleasures. So many dimensions of feelings, both internal and external, a cornucopia of experience in each run lament for another winter season coming to a close, anxiety about the impending corn descents, unexpected joy from the easy corn base trapped under a blanket of unmolested cold; layer upon layer, feelings wash over me; turn after turn, I forward on in its glory.
My cocktail of drugs keeps my cold at bay my head feels fine, but my body hates me. I strap on the shoes at the bottom and cruise the walk-up. Time ticks on to 7 am. The sun is getting higher, but the trees and north facing slope stays cool and powdery.
I work a section of trees Id found years ago, twisting and turning down the natural gulley, anticipating the turns and ducking the branches that fly past me. I anticipate, but mostly let the board find its way. SOOO GOOOD! I stop near the bottom and look back up at my work sultry s-turns in the virgin white, is this February or May? (May, as I didnt hit a log all run!).
Drop the board and turn for run #3.
45 minutes later Im strapping on for another untracked line¦perhaps the last Powder of the season? Perhaps. Like old age, one day you wake up - and you're not young anymore. It's the same with Powder - one day you wake up and realize yetserday was your last Powder day.
Maybe. This is Colorado.
I drive home at 8 am and mow my lawn.
5.03.09
Front Range, Colorado
3,000 vertical of May Powder
My first run was at 6 am from my highpoint.
Coming down the mountain - 1,000 VF of 6 powder over a mushy corn base, skiing absolutely perfectly - the morning sunrise splashing the white snow yellow and gold, the air still, cold and calm. A dense fog bank hangs over the plains providing the cloud sea effect so reminiscent of PNW. Why, wasnt it at Alpental that I last had a May powder day so exquisite? Yes, another solo day, another century ago¦
Powder skiing in May is one of the most sublime of pleasures. So many dimensions of feelings, both internal and external, a cornucopia of experience in each run lament for another winter season coming to a close, anxiety about the impending corn descents, unexpected joy from the easy corn base trapped under a blanket of unmolested cold; layer upon layer, feelings wash over me; turn after turn, I forward on in its glory.
My cocktail of drugs keeps my cold at bay my head feels fine, but my body hates me. I strap on the shoes at the bottom and cruise the walk-up. Time ticks on to 7 am. The sun is getting higher, but the trees and north facing slope stays cool and powdery.
I work a section of trees Id found years ago, twisting and turning down the natural gulley, anticipating the turns and ducking the branches that fly past me. I anticipate, but mostly let the board find its way. SOOO GOOOD! I stop near the bottom and look back up at my work sultry s-turns in the virgin white, is this February or May? (May, as I didnt hit a log all run!).
Drop the board and turn for run #3.
45 minutes later Im strapping on for another untracked line¦perhaps the last Powder of the season? Perhaps. Like old age, one day you wake up - and you're not young anymore. It's the same with Powder - one day you wake up and realize yetserday was your last Powder day.
Maybe. This is Colorado.
I drive home at 8 am and mow my lawn.
Hi Dave -
Powder in May in Colorado is not unusual, you just have to ski it before the sun does its work.
And yes, I do mind. I enjoy the quiet of this place. If I can find it, others can without my help.
Powder in May in Colorado is not unusual, you just have to ski it before the sun does its work.
And yes, I do mind. I enjoy the quiet of this place. If I can find it, others can without my help.
If it's where I think it was you heard I-70 for the first thirty minutes of your tour, it was south facing, and it begins with a "D."
right on mang, thanks for the report, great to hear about trips out there.
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