Magical Morning on Red Lady (6 Jan 2015)

(Last Updated On: January 24, 2015)

Some things are worth waking up early for. For me, skiing is one of those things – most days anyway. Admittedly, I am not what many call “a morning person”. I don’t actually like getting up before the first rays of sun hit the mountains. But, sometimes for the sake of skiing I awaken and fumble around in the dark until I am warmed by the daylight.

Even though I am not “a morning person”, I recognize that winter mornings can be particularly beautiful. The stillness in the air, the frost on the trees, and the pink hues in the sky can paint a magical scene. But, every now and then we are blessed with even more magic. This was one such magical morning.

When I arrived to Alex’s house, it was still dark. But, it was a balmy 28-degrees Fahrenheit. Clouds hung close to the ground and I was uninspired by the grimness of the scene. But, I had hope – hope that the clouds were so low-hanging that we could climb above them. I’ve seen it before, though it’s not a common sight in Crested Butte.

We began skinning as twilight crept into the sky. We were quickly surrounded by fog but after awhile, we emerged to blue sky. The scene was surreal and as beautiful as a morning could possibly be. It was a magical morning after all.
Axtell with fog while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

The Castles are always spectacular. But, they were even more so on this morning.
The Castles in winter while backcountry skiing near Crested Butte.

The island of Mount Crested Butte 🙂
Mount Crested Butte with fog in winter while backcountry skiing

Whetstone surrounded by thick fog.
Thick fog surrounding Whetstone in winter while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte

Axtell.
Axtell with fog in winter while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

Another shot of the island of Mount Crested Butte, with fog hanging in the East and Brush Creek river valleys.
Mount Crested Butte in winter with fog.

Alex skinning toward the top of Red Lady.
Alex Riedman skiinning on Red Lady with fog in winter.

Alex Riedman skinning on Red Lady while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

Alex Riedman skinning while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

Alex Riedman skinning on Red Lady while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

As we neared the summit of Mount Emmons (Red Lady), we could see that the fog also expanded deep into the Slate River and Washington Gulch valleys.
Fog with mountains in winter in Crested Butte.

Yet clouds also clung to our high peaks of Ruby, Owen, and Purple.
Ruby, Owen, Purple seen from Red Lady while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

Down valley, the fog showed no signs of dissipating.
Whetstone in winter with fog seen from Red Lady while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

Mount Crested Butte with fog in winter seen from Red Lady while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

We decided to make our way to the far side of Red Lady bowl.
Alex Riedman backcountry skiing on Red Lady in Crested Butte.

Alex = Happy.
Alex Riedman on summit of Red Lady while backcountry skiing.

Alex dropping in.
Alex Riedman backcountry skiing on Red Lady in Crested Butte.

Alex Riedman backcountry skiing on Red Lady in Crested Butte.

Our tracks.
Tracks on Red Lady bowl while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

Even after we skied, the fog still hovered in the valleys.
Winter fog in Crested Butte.

Of course, we paused for a selfie. We couldn’t be happier.
Brittany Walker Konsella & Alex Riedman backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

And then we skied on down and into the fog.
Skiing into fog while backcountry skiing in Crested Butte.

What a magical morning on Red Lady. This one was definitely worth the pre-dawn awakening 🙂

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!

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!

3 thoughts on “Magical Morning on Red Lady (6 Jan 2015)

  • January 25, 2015 at 1:58 pm
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    Wow, awesome pics Brittany!

  • January 25, 2015 at 5:14 pm
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    Thanks Frank! It was a fabulous day!

  • January 27, 2015 at 7:51 am
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    i needed this with my coffee this morning 😉

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