Skiing in American Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Sunday, May 28th, 2006
Lou Dawson calls American Basin one of his favorite areas to backcountry
ski, and it's easy to see why. The second we began our hike I was
experiencing exactly what I drove the 8+ hrs to experience: vast
bowls, rows of assorted couloirs, incredible
views, a 14er, and everything above treeline.
We're not in the Wasatch anymore, toto!
Snow in the steeper chutes was quite good, but the moment you'd enter
the apron, deep horizontal runnels would pummel tired thighs and
encourage back seat driving.
This is Mount Handies. Two from our group split off to ski it. You
can see them descending in the middle of the picture...
Our carpool might have had room for an extra six pack, but other
than that, the rig was completely packed...
Here's our camp as the temperatures plummeted to the low 20's F.
The VW bus quickly became the place to be and be seen, tho finding
a place to sit became the most challenging event of the weekend.
See the next day, Skiing
Mount Mellenthin in the La Sal Mountains.
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