It has been tougher than usual finding motivation to ski this fall. I have been confused. September brought loads of snow to the high mountains, followed by numerous other systems throughout October. Typically I see powder and am ready to hike for miles, no matter how short or how rocky the ski run may be. It took me a few weeks of thinking about this problem in my life before I came to the realization that I have had such a good summer filled with would class ski runs, some up to 9000' long ski runs that hiking five miles to ski 800' of Carlton Ridge glades just could not compare.
Surprisingly, I could not find any partners to commit to this mid-November weekday ski adventure. Joshua was held back a 1pm commitment, John had work to do at Downing Mountain Lodge, and everyone else simply ignored my phone call. Its okay though, traveling alone can be fast and efficient.
It was a crisp 12°F leaving Missoula that morning, I arrived at the Carlton Ridge trailhead at 9:05 and was on the trail shortly after. Enjoying the ice cold air filling my lungs I topped out on Carlton Ridge in literally half the time it typically takes me. From the ridge I ripped skins as if I were in a randonee race and skied south down to Carlton Lake. After eating a quick snack I began my climb of Carlton Peak, taking the lookers right ridge that separates the north summit bowl from the lake run. Shortly before 11:40 I found myself on top of Carlton Peak looking south for more.
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| Lolo Peak from Carlton |
I wasn't planning on traveling so fast, or feeling so motivated as I did. It was sunny and frigid on the summit, so I threw on my puffy and headed south along the ridge to the true summit of Lolo Peak. Being alone it is a good idea to be extra conservative when it comes to skiing in avalanche terrain, so I did not expect to be able to ski this bowl. After assessing the snowpack and kicking a cornice (or four) into the bowl, I decided stability was good and continued to ski east off of the summit making for what would be a long day. It was a great 1500'+ run down to Reed Lake (Video). The sun was quickly warming the south and east aspects and I decided to cut a track climbing the south facing ridge that would bring me on the ridge just below Carlton Peak to avoid climbing the avalanche terrain I had skied.
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| Carlton Lake Carlton Peak in background |
Not quite in shape for these longer days yet, I began to run out of energy on the skin out, "bonking" one might say. Between the Hammer Gels and Perpetuem solids my energy levels were quickly back up and once again my legs could move as quickly as my mind! I topped out and skied the carlton lake run back to Carlton Lake, and eventually back up to Carlton Ridge and down again to the trailhead. Carlton, Carlton, Carlton.
Days like this remind me how lucky I am. How lucky I am to be so healthy, uninjured, and motivated. How lucky I am to live where I do. So lucky just to have a body that works. I try not to take it for granted that I am this lucky, taking full advantage of where I am. I am truly at home in the mountains, here I feel normal running from peak to peak, drainage to drainage. My legs can take me wherever my mind wonders, to whatever peak, ridge, or bowl my eyes can see. Days like this I am free.
And once again motivated for the winter. . . Hope this helps you get excited too!
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