Carlton Ridge 6/12

I had thought that we were going all of the way to Lolo Peak when I started out yesterday, but I was on unfamiliar ground, and others lead the expedition; the truth is it was a longer haul than I was up for, having been skinning the day before, but it was a worthy journey none the less.

I didn't get any pics of skiing, as I my attempt to take video with my point and shoot digital turned out comically bad, but I got some good snap shots and stitched together a couple partial panoramas, it was a beautiful day.

We boot packed in about 3/4 of a mile before putting skins on. It was a bit thin at first:

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...llowtracks.jpg


But beautiful under the trees, and cool to as they kept dropping snow on us:

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m.../snowtrees.jpg


After a while our work was found to be worthy and the white stuff became about a foot of smooth wind buff on a three foot base:

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...moothwhite.jpg


We went up.....

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...track61208.jpg


...and up....

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...pskintrack.jpg


...and up...

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...e33/backup.jpg

.....eventually getting a first peek at Mormon Peak, which is what is visible from Missoula, and is what most folks here think of as Lolo Peak.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...rmonpeakin.jpg


It is truly impressive, and on my to do list:

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...onpeakpano.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...longmormon.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...ormonshade.jpg

I would have taken a shot of Lolo Peak proper, but it was in the clouds. So we did a couple laps on the fast firm virgin buff, and then headed back down the hill.

We stopped on the way out, just because it was utterly gorgeous.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...edgreepano.jpg

It was about a ten mile round trip, and I am sore, but the good kind of sore. :wink:

sweet. lots of snow in the bitterroots still.

Yeah, it was surprising how deep it was up there.

Nice one almighty bearded one. I can't believe how much snow the Bowl looks like it got this week. Too bad I'm over that shit for now and only concerned about scralping smoove dirt.

A buddy was up at Hoodoo 3 days ago and report good riding with a 1.5' of new :D

Nice to see the June fresh snow!
You can see Lolo peak from Missoula, it pokes up behind Morman. Getting over Carlton ridge always seems to take longer than from ridge to summit...Also the ski down from ridge compared to the summit sucks. I'm always hoping that a fire will thin out the trees which would make a nice run from ridge to parking lot.