GravitySessions.com: One Last Leg Burner

Text and Photos by
-C Mo

It was getting to be that time of year...The resorts are all closing down, weather on the Front Range is starting to get nicer, and dreams of melting snow, raging rivers, and waterfalls start dancing around my head.
But this year, I found myself a little torn. I took up telemark skiing earlier this season, and found a new reason to get excited about sliding down snow. So it wasn't breaking my heart when in the second week of April Mike proposed a backcountry adventure. With the snowpack still in midwinter shape, and the rivers still frozen stiff, I figured it would be a great time to have a sunny day in the backcountry.
Our objective: Mount Sopris
Mount Sopris is the sentinal guardian of the Roaring Fork Valley, dominating the skyline for miles around. While it is not the highest peak in the craggy Elk Mountains, it certainly is the envy. Bob Ross himself couldn't have created a better looking peak. And the best of all...it has lines that just beg to be skied. From huge expansive bowls, to nasty chutes, and long approaches, Mount Sopris has it all.
After putting in some research, Thomas Lakes Bowl was determined to be hold the best options considering the sketchy snowpack that we were dealing with. So without further adieu, Mike, Tyson and I headed up to the hills for some cold smoke.
With a 3:45am wake-up call, we began the 5,000 foot 7 mile one way slog at 5am. I've never skiied in the backcountry at night before, so even without coffee, the cool air and new experience were enought to get me going.
When the sun broke, we were rewarded with our first views of Thomas Lakes Bowl. I was blown away. I have always been impressed by the dramatic siloutte of Sopris, but from our angle and with the fresh sunrise lighting the landscape, it was a photo opportunity that would have Ansel Adams rolling over in his grave.
Our route took us up the southeast ridgeline of the east subsidiary summit. (say that five time fast!) After several hours of torture, we made it to the last push up the summit ridge, which required us to take off our skis and hike up the rocks, and traverse between sketchy cornices on the summit to reach Thomas Bowl.
And finally, it was time to rip. We checked the snowpack, checked our beacons, and strapped on the sticks, and proceeded to tear into the perfect spring pow. By the time we reached the bottom of the bowl, the day had turned into a full blown beauty. And as the avalanche forecast predicted, the warmer temps and warming snowpack began producing some point release and wet avalanche activity. Fortunatley, we were out of the danger zone, and were free to enjoy the roar the falling snow.
A few moderate pitches brought us back to our skin tracks and the trail out. After about 9 hours, 14 miles and 10,000 veritcal feet, the first beer went down real well...

Dawn breaks on the Roaring Fork Valley