The Jewel Glacier last season on a sunny day.Uncharacteristically, it seems Alaska is not the first place in the States to see it's citizens celebrating the return of our favorite season. I've seen pictures of Jackson Hole recently blessed with plenty of powdered joy in the high country and at least some folks out sliding around in it on skis. Good for them. Last year saw first turns made up here at the end of September. We were close again this season.
Yep, "waiting for winter", the "other season", seems to be over for me and it's demise can't come soon enough. My last turns were made on June 21 so it's been awhile. Yesterday, October 5th, saw skis return to my feet on my annual pilgrimage up Crow Pass and onto the Jewel Glacier.
A bit bony on the approach
The weather was not that great. The photo at the top is from a trip up there last year. The rest of the photos reflect a more dismal view but the snow was soft and visibility adequate. The walk in was on dirt and painless. I was skiing after 1:10 and making first turns after about 1:50. I did 3 laps with each climb taking about 15-20 minutes, depending upon where I stopped on the down.
Skis on finally
Good enough for October
With the thin snow on the rocks below the glacier, the walk out was super easy. I wasn't the only one, either. There was a cast of Skittle colored, plastic pant/jacket clad, sweaty-assed snowboarders up there all loving the early season goodness. Together, we fully farmed the harvest on the limited plot. More storms planned for this week should renew the playground and, if we're lucky, some sun will show next weekend so I can get another hit.
Nice to be off and running. Come on, Winter!