Backcountry SkiingCrested Butte

TR: Gothic Spoon (19 Jan 2013)

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A week of mostly dry skies and beautiful high pressure had brought some temporary stability to our Crested Butte snowpack. I had thought about heading out for some south-facing lines, and the Gothic Spoon was on my radar.
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Thankfully, Mike was on his way up from the Front Range, partnerless, and wanting to tour. It was an easy match.

The Spoon had been skied the day prior, so we found the ascent easy with a skin track already in.
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

It was a perfectly beautiful windless day, with nothing but blue and a blazing ball of fire in the sky.
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Mt. CB always looks so tiny from here 🙂
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Toward the top, there were small signs of instability in the snowpack, due to the combination of windloading in one area and thin snow in another. With this in mind, we dropped in a little low on the Spoon to avoid what we felt could be instabilities.
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Though a bit punchy, the snow was stable and soft. Mike.
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Me.
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

I was expecting conditions to worsen near the bottom of the line, but the snow remained surprisingly supportable and nice.
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Mike.
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

We even found some powder 🙂
Backcountry skiing Gothic Spoon

Gothic has always been one of my favorite peaks in the Crested Butte area and this ski was a good reminder of why I hold it dear. Thanks to Mike for joining me on a fantastic peak on a perfect Colorado bluebird day!

Brittany Walker Konsella

Summary
Article Name
Gothic Spoon (19 Jan 2013)
Description
Mount Gothic is one of the most iconic mountains in Crested Butte and holds the Gothic Spoon, a classic ski mountaineering line.
Author

Brittany Walker Konsella

Aside from skiing, biking, and all outdoorsy things, Brittany Walker Konsella also loves smiles and chocolate :) Even though she excels at higher level math and chemistry, she still confuses left from right. Find out more about Brittany!

One thought on “TR: Gothic Spoon (19 Jan 2013)

  • How I love that line and do I ever miss those CB bluebird days.

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