10 Attachment(s)
TR: Doubling Down on Demming (May 3)
TR: Doubling Down on Demming (May 3)
Heading towards Anchorage over a socked-in Thompson Pass, all four of us had our thoughts on being home in Colorado. With winter in Alaska ending early, and spending the last 10 days skiing mostly dust on crust, or wasting away cloudy hours down in the harbor town of Valdez, we were all ready to ski some powder.
Things had gotten wierd. Shitter's full!
Attachment 182647
photo: yeah, that's me in the photo...
The fact that Colorado was in the process of receiving multiple feet of snow only made us more anxious to return. My flight arrived late Sunday night and on Monday, Dave (iskibc) sent me a text asking if I wanted to ski the next day. I reminded him I had spent nearly the past 3 weeks at sea level - a beach vacation prior to Alaska - but aside from that, it was perfect timing. I was itching to ski some soft snow. He suggested West Demming. I had known Dave previously, but back in March, I ran into him at the Gore Creek trailhead after doing a deep recon mission.
The goal being to see what West Demming's north side offered (amongst other options along the drainage).
Attachment 182648
photo: me
Dave then suggested Brennan (KansasBoarder) as the third member of the group. I had neither skied with Dave nor Brennan, but I had talked to each of them previously about getting out together. With a great group, and a great plan put together, we met at the North Ten Mile trailhead, drove over Vail Pass and began the trek through the forest with a direct line to West Demming's summit.
As the trees dissipated, we began chasing the sunline across the flat windswept canvas.
Attachment 182649
photo: Dave Bourassa
Two weeks at sea level will definitely make you suck wind, especially chasing Dave and Brennan in the high alpine. They had plenty of time to capture the scenery in the morning sunlight.
Attachment 182650
photo: Dave Bourassa
Attachment 182651
photo: Dave Bourassa
Attachment 182652
photo: Brennan Metzler
I had finally reached the summit, and we were all looking forward to ripping skins and getting to the fun part. We discussed options of skiing the east face, but it didn't appear to be warming up very quickly, and perhaps never would. With the still-cold powder on the north side of the peak, it was time to drop in.
Slashing a turn at the entrance.
Attachment 182653
photo: Brennan Metzler
Coming through the choke.
Attachment 182654
photo: Dave Bourassa
Brennan playing with the terrain lower down in the chute.
Attachment 182655
photo: Dave Bourassa
Dave enjoying the snow.
Attachment 182656
photo: Brennan Metzler
Before long, we were at the bottom. Smiles were big and high fives were had, but no moment lasts forever - Dave had spotted another line on the northeast side of the peak.
10 Attachment(s)
TR: Doubling Down on Demming (May 3)
Once again, I was left in the dust.
Attachment 182657
photo: Dave Bourassa
But the scenery was awesome, and the vibes, positive.
Attachment 182658
photo: Dave Bourassa
The seldom skied west side of Peaks 1, 2 (Tenmile) and 3.
Attachment 182659
photo: Dave Bourassa
When I reached the top, we discussed options and all agreed that the northeast side would hold perfect snow.
Skins were ripped.
Attachment 182660
photo: Dave Bourassa
And Brennan drops in first.
Attachment 182661
photo: Dave Bourassa
The chute makes an interesting dogleg, with a cool wind feature, but we weren't sure if it went.
Attachment 182662
photo: Dave Bourassa
It does.
Attachment 182663
photo: Dave Bourassa
Dave leaving his signature on a blank canvas.
Attachment 182664
photo: Brennan Metzler
With 3000' of steep powder skied, it was time to call it a day.
Attachment 182665
photo: me
Once again, I was sucking wind behind a couple speed demons.
Attachment 182666
photo: me
The route back down through sloppy snow in the trees wasn't as bad as we were anticipating. It wasn't completely isothermal slush, just slightly slow corn. Dave took off to take care of some stuff back at home, and before long Brennan and I were celebrating the day with margaritas on the patio outside the Rio in Frisco.
TR: Doubling Down on Demming (May 3)
Thanks guys. Yeah, its been great lately. Hoping for some solid freezes too. Thinking about Landry on Sun.
