Cleer Creak Dawn Patrol

After spending the weekend up north snowmobiling with my dad I was itching to get out for an early morning tour. Hooked up with Winter Park local Sam Forsyth and skied a nice couloir in Cleer Creek County early Tuesday morning. Conditions were prime for getting on something a bit bigger and more committing, so we decided to give this line near Pettingel Peak a shot. A couple hours of skinning a climbing brought us to this:

but we had our sights on a different goal for the day:

The approach was as basic and straightforward as it gets, and after a shortwhile we made the top and took in the gorgeous views.

Sam climbing:

Early morning light on Red Mountain:

We arrived at the top of our line to a fairly stiff ridgeline breeze, but the warm morning sun made things comfortable enough so we could take a break and check out the scenery. Front Range peaks and lines are starting to fill in nicely now that the spring weather pattern has shifted. Here’s looking over towards the Williams Fork Range:

After a brief break at the top we geared up and made our descent. Conditions were prime as there was a nice and firm upper layer, no breakable crust, and a good coating of chalky smooth snow on the surface, making for fun and easy turns for most of the way. The apron was hard as a rock, yet manageable. Down lower in the trees we found some nice recycled powder all the way to the truck down near the URAD mine. Good morning outing. I was a little late getting into work, but it was all worth it.

Same near the top of the line:

midway: