It was pretty busy out there, a sunny weekend day with low hazard brings out a lot of people.
The weather was ideal, sunny and mild, and the avalanche danger rating had gone down to “low” on all aspects and elevations. The Power of Four ski mountaineering race was the day before, so I was looking for something to do that got me out on my skis, but that also might be a good fit for tired legs. So when the text from Chris Davenport came in asking about joining on a mellow outing on Highlands Ridge I was definitely interested.
It wasn’t important that when Chris says mellow, the pace is usually anything but that. Everything else seemed right so mellow or not, I was in. We met in the morning and after shuttling a car to the planned pickup point, we headed up the mountain with our friend Greg Ernst.
Two hours from Highland Bowl we arrived at our destination, at the top of a favorite ski line. We pulled skins and got ready, and then took off down the west side. It was really nice.
The scenery never gets old.
It was my first outing with Greg Ernst, who got along quite well with the camera.
Dav and his rooster tail.
It felt like a late spring day but it was still February and sun was low enough in the sky to cast some pretty long shadows.
It was old snow, not exactly “cold smoke” but it sure looked like it sometimes.
Greg, a bit lower down. Maroon Creek and the road can be seen below.
It was just easy skiing on a beautiful day. Exactly what we were looking for.
And then the Maroon Bells came into the shot.
Greg, once again making it look easy. And that’s what makes up a nice day out on Highlands Ridge.
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