Spring skiing on Jughandle Mountain.
- March 24, 2012
- Team: Art
- Summit: Jughandle Mountain, 8340', 5 miles, 3100' gain, 3 hours
- Car to car: 10 miles, 3100'total gain, 5 hours
Note: click images to see a larger version in a new window
Art picked me up at 7:30, and we were on our way. But first we had to make a stop, and then we were at the 'trailhead.' We were on our feet before 8:30, then put on our skis at about 9, after walking on a firm crust for the first bit. It's spring, so you'll notice there are needles showing under the trees here. |
 |
But as we climbed, the coverage became more consistent. There's the summit in the distance. We followed an old skin track, but were skiing on just a skiff of snow over a hard crust. Sam liked the conditions.
|
 |
When the tracks eventually went elsewhere, we turned and started a long, gradual traverse across the face. This worked grreat, except where the sun had glazed the crust before the skiff of snow fell. In those areas, your skis tended to slide downhill sideways. Gravity always wins. This picture, which looks sort of northerly, shows the multiple bumps along the summit ridge. |
 |
Art broke trail most of the way, but when he paused to refresh, I took over. This is looking back toward Long Valley and probably Donnelly. |
 |
We booted the last 20 steps to the summit. The little pole once flew a flag. |
 |
| Summit. Not a sunny summit, but good views none the less. |  |
| I took a whole bunch of scenic shots, but put this one here because I've always wanted to ski Council Mountain. |  |
After getting good and cold, we ripped skins and searched out a gully/meadow that had recieved a little less sun. Then we had big fun ins th 1-2" of snow on a smooth crust. Great skiing. When we got back to the forest, our kick wax was working sufficiently for us to make great time without working too hard. Car to car in about 5 hours. So for a couple old duffers, we made quick work of a 3k' climb. |
 |
|
|
