january 6, 2012, Nimbus clouds, alpine lakes
1/6/12
1382
3
Yesterday a few of us went up to Nimbus peak in the alpine lakes. Started out walking around 8am, and quickly switched to skins. Just enough snow on the summer trail @ 2,500'. Travel was fast on firm snow following the trail kololo and I broke going to slippery slab the previous day.
Sunbreaks and views no the approach changed to hard to see conditions almost as soon as we started the real climbing. Mostly asy skinning with some windscoured spots and one small boot section to gain thunder lake. Topped out on Nimbus (6,701) in a whitout, but with zero wind and comfy temps. After a nice long break, we decending along the ridge and back to the south face.
Riding conditions far exceded expectations. some crust and firm sections, with lingering death cookies. Finding the areas of wind deposited and sheltered pow was no problem. So good we went back up a ways for seconds. Conditions where fun all the way out to the car, with Leyand skiing skinless all but the last 100 yds of trails.
Another foot or two of snow is really needed for the first mile or so. Other then that, the trail is in bomber condition right now.
Sunbreaks and views no the approach changed to hard to see conditions almost as soon as we started the real climbing. Mostly asy skinning with some windscoured spots and one small boot section to gain thunder lake. Topped out on Nimbus (6,701) in a whitout, but with zero wind and comfy temps. After a nice long break, we decending along the ridge and back to the south face.
Riding conditions far exceded expectations. some crust and firm sections, with lingering death cookies. Finding the areas of wind deposited and sheltered pow was no problem. So good we went back up a ways for seconds. Conditions where fun all the way out to the car, with Leyand skiing skinless all but the last 100 yds of trails.
Another foot or two of snow is really needed for the first mile or so. Other then that, the trail is in bomber condition right now.
Thanks for the pics Ben. I have none... only my stock photos.
Rad day for sure. Funt times.
Rad day for sure. Funt times.
Fun day. The sun stayed out just long enough to scope out the surrounding terrain. Plenty of exploring up there. Our first descent included a little bonus mandatory air into the softest powder of the day.
Skiing out the trail by headlamp wasn't to bad other than a couple icy raised log sections with no way to stop and no end in sight wit h the headlamp.
Skiing is fun!
Skiing out the trail by headlamp wasn't to bad other than a couple icy raised log sections with no way to stop and no end in sight wit h the headlamp.
Skiing is fun!
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