January 30, 2008, 25 Short (9,775), Tetons, WY
1/30/08
US elsewhere
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Day 30
1-30-08
25 Short (9,775), Tetons, WY
"The Ski Hill," a Jackson Hole tradition. The name changes through the decades, but the skiing remains classic. Popular.
Avalanche danger remains Considerable, so we decide on 25 Short due to the low angle and trees to the summit, as well as the 3,000+ vertical.
We make a completely rookie mistake and follow a group who had left just ahead of us, assuming they were going to 25 Short, and end up on top of the moraine that overlooks Taggart Lake in an obvious b-line for Shadow Mountain on the north side of Avalanche Canyon - not 25 short, on the south side of the Canyon. Rats. A quick re-orientation and we break trail 1.5 miles following the shoreline and summer trails back to the wooded ridge below 25 short. Back on track, but we've come too high on the ridge to enjoy the skin track from the front (correct!) approach of the mountain, and thus are forced to break trail almost the whole of the route to the summit.
Nearing 3:00 pm and our intended turn around, we finally hit the front side skin track. A superhighway! Shortly, a skinner easily passes us, on his fourth and last lap! He inspires us to finish the route and we decide to push the turn-around time back and head for the top.
Well worth it. We easily top out, and as has been the usual, endure high winds and snowshowers, like we'd been experiencing ever since we'd arrived in Wyoming.
A series of fall line and traverse maneuvers leads to endless glade skiing - all in knee and thigh deep powder.
We savored every turn.
Look at that - a quick and easy descent out the correct side of the moraine and 1.5 miles later we're back at the car as the sun sets behind the Teton Range.
1-30-08
25 Short (9,775), Tetons, WY
"The Ski Hill," a Jackson Hole tradition. The name changes through the decades, but the skiing remains classic. Popular.
Avalanche danger remains Considerable, so we decide on 25 Short due to the low angle and trees to the summit, as well as the 3,000+ vertical.
We make a completely rookie mistake and follow a group who had left just ahead of us, assuming they were going to 25 Short, and end up on top of the moraine that overlooks Taggart Lake in an obvious b-line for Shadow Mountain on the north side of Avalanche Canyon - not 25 short, on the south side of the Canyon. Rats. A quick re-orientation and we break trail 1.5 miles following the shoreline and summer trails back to the wooded ridge below 25 short. Back on track, but we've come too high on the ridge to enjoy the skin track from the front (correct!) approach of the mountain, and thus are forced to break trail almost the whole of the route to the summit.
Nearing 3:00 pm and our intended turn around, we finally hit the front side skin track. A superhighway! Shortly, a skinner easily passes us, on his fourth and last lap! He inspires us to finish the route and we decide to push the turn-around time back and head for the top.
Well worth it. We easily top out, and as has been the usual, endure high winds and snowshowers, like we'd been experiencing ever since we'd arrived in Wyoming.
A series of fall line and traverse maneuvers leads to endless glade skiing - all in knee and thigh deep powder.
We savored every turn.
Look at that - a quick and easy descent out the correct side of the moraine and 1.5 miles later we're back at the car as the sun sets behind the Teton Range.
Modified with some powder shots I cropped out - first Sean, then Wayne. Deep powder skiing.
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