Ruby Glistens (17 May 2014)
(Last Updated On: May 20, 2014)
I heard it before I saw it. The pitter-patter of the rain. I was glued to my computer screen on Friday evening and, admittedly, I didn’t want to look up. I didn’t want to face the reality that it was raining. Not just raining, but pouring. And that rain was washing the snow away. I frowned with sadness.
Nighttime clouds hold in heat making freezes difficult in springtime. I went to sleep with few hopes of actually skiing anything the next day due to the warm temperatures and cloud cover preventing a freeze in the snowpack. But, I set my alarm anyway – just in case I got lucky.
As the alarm screamed at me first thing in the morning, I moaned. Why did I even set it when I knew it was going to just be raining outside? But, when I gazed out my window, my attitude changed. The sky was a sparkling blue and there was not a single cloud hovering in it. Time to ski 🙂
After a few quick texts, Starr was up to join me and we headed out Kebler pass. The road was plowed to the Y, but we used a snowmobile from there to take us directly to the base of Ruby. With the warm temperatures, the freeze was soft, and getting to our goal quickly was important.
This view never gets old – Ruby, Owen, Purple.
We skinned and booted to the top of Ruby quite quickly.
On Ruby’s summit, we were blasted by the wind. But we paused to enjoy our fabulous surroundings. Starr with Owen behind.
The Elks are looking good. Here you can see White Widow, White Rock, White, and Castle.
We skied off Ruby’s north side, hoping for cooler snow. Although a bit wet, the skiing was pretty good too 🙂 Starr.
If you look close, you can see our tracks in the glistening white snow.
At the bottom, we encountered some warming sticky snow. Starr with Ruby behind.
Thanks to Starr for being willing to rally last-minute for a questionable ski adventure. It was well-worth our efforts.
The mountains are still white and caked with snow. The skiing is still good and I won’t be hanging up my planks any time soon 🙂
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