Skyscraper Glacier Skiing 9/1/2010

Skyscraper as viewed with a high zoom from the parking area at the top of Rollins Pass. We arrived on top of the pass about 3 hours later than planned due to being slow getting out of Boulder (our fault) and a lengthy detour because part of the Rollins Pass Road was closed (not our fault) and getting lost on said detour (partly our fault). From this vantage, it looked reasonable.

Me admiring the view. Photo: K.Ross

The start of the hike. Our destination is behind a rock buttress, hidden from view, but is not far away. Photo: K.Ross

The walk along the Continental Divide here is very scenic. Photo: K.Ross

Looking down on King Lake. Photo: K.Ross

Me wondering where the snow is, since Winter Park looks a tad dry. Photo: K.Ross

The run. This photo makes it look much more reasonable than it turned out to be. I had not skied at all since my good friend Lacy died on a ski trip in RMNP. As a result, my mental state was not good as I stood at the top and put on my ski gear. I've been nervous at the top of steep or difficult lines before, but this set a new standard for absolute mental/emotional disaster. Turns out this feeling was at least somewhat justified. You can't see it in this photo, but the entrance was 55-60 degrees, fairly icy, runnelled, and above substantial exposure. I'm glad Kim went first, because I would not have done it otherwise. Photo: K.Ross

Me traversing to the better "snow" below the big cornice feature just after the committing entrance. Photo: K.Ross

We did get a few reasonable turns in. As you can see, below me is a very dirty section. This was about 70% dirt, 30% ice. Those of you that can add will see that there was no snow component present. Although the exposure was less (falling would have sucked but most likely would not have been lethal), this part was pretty gripping. We basically survival sideslipped and sidestepped down the entire dirty section. Making turns really was not an option. Photo: K.Ross

We found some decent turns in the lower apron as well. Probably the best turns actually - for me at least this probably had a lot to do with the fact that it was low angle and we were finally out of exposed terrain.

Relieved Kim.

Kim points out the line. She almost looks happy in this photo, but the general mood at this point was definitely more one of relief than happiness.

The top of the line. We entered on the right side of the photo.

Me at Bob Lake. Photo: K.Ross

Kim admires the view over King Lake as we climb back towards the car.

The sun was getting low as we got close to the parking area. Photo: K.Ross

We were treated to a stellar sunset as we began to drive down Rollins Pass. It was a very calming way to end a stressful day. Photo: K.Ross

My take.

The sun drops a little lower... Photo: K.Ross

And illuminates the clouds, Photo: K.Ross