6.15.07: Bartlett Mountain (13,400′), Tenmile Range

Met up with Andy Dimmen for a quick early morning mission up Bartlett Mountain near the Climax Mine site. The snow had been holding up nicely, but with 90 degree temps over the course of the past week lines are melting out at a rapid rate. The snow has begun its transition from spring corn to that variable hard and bumpy summer snow.

We started up the west side of the mountain shortly after sunrise and made decent time. We were on the summit of Bartlett within 1:45 from starting at the Clinton Reservoir. The morning air was nice and cool and there was not a hint of wind or unsettled weather around. A few high thin clouds were overhead, but nothing of concern.

Andy climbing up the final bit:

We ended up having to wait on the summit for a little while for the snow to soften up before we started our descent down the moderately pitched NW face.

Arkansas still holding some lines:

We had intended on skiing a super narrow slot off one of the Gendarmes to the east of Bartlett, but once we got a good view of the entire line it was evident the line was too narrow to fit a pair of skis in it. So, we bagged that idea and had a nice and long run down Bartlett into the Clinton Amphitheater. The snow was so-so, as we hit spots of smooth corn and then spots of breakable crust.

Andy:

We ended up skiing a good 2,000′ before taking our skis off and bushwhacking along the south shore of the Clinton Reservoir.

Note: The hike back out can be a major pain if you get caught up in the tall willows. Don’t drop down into the valley too low as you pass Little Bartlett. Stay a little high and traverse into the forest for a ways before dropping down to the shoreline of the reservoir. This will save you time and energy in the long run.