Breaking trail to the high point in the upper basin. Castle Peak’s 14,000 foot summit is up above.
Conundrum Peak doesn’t make the cut as an official 14er according to the Colorado Mountain Club and the 300′ rule. But the Conundrum Couloir that splits its east face is such a classic climb and ski that it deserves a spot on every Colorado ski mountaineers checklist.
A friend told me that the recent fall weather was coming in as snow up in Montezuma Basin, and that the skiing was actually pretty good. Better yet, the road was still mostly dry and you could drive high up the road. So we headed up there this past weekend with our rock skis to see what it was like.
Overall the coverage for skiing was pretty thin. But half the thrill on an outing to Conundrum Couloir is the climb. If the skiing isn’t perfect, that’s OK. Sometimes it’s just fun to be out on the skis this time of year.
That said, like most fall skiing, be prepared for super-thin conditions. And if that’s OK, and you’re really eager to put on the skis, you might find it’s worth the trip.
Some photos:
At the end of the road, with the lower slope in sight. It looks thin, which it was.
We did one quick lap in the upper bowl, and the snow was pretty firm. A wind crust had hardened everything, which is pretty common up high this time of year.
Following Joey’s lead up the Conundrum Couloir.
Having lunch at the 14K saddle between the two summits of Conundrum Peak. Castle Peak can be seen out there, and the North Couloir is looking like it needs more snow. Not surprising for October 5th.
It’s always so fun to get up here this time of year.
We’re skiing! This line catches a lot of sun and the snow was actually very soft and fun.
The snow was thin, both in depth, and in this case, width. The couloir has one pinch that requires a little straight-lining followed by a quick check turn.
If you stay in the middle of the lower slope, you might just find the snow soft and the rocks buried.
We met in Aspen in 2000 and have been happily stuck in the rockies ever since, getting out in the mountains every day we can, in every season and by all means possible. Read More
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