Backcountry SkiingCrested Butte

Wang Chung Face 4.22.15

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When I look back at the winter of 2014-15, the one bright spot may be the avalanches that ran full depth and full track. Certain slide paths were quite simply in need of some good tree trimming. Like the run in Utah, “God’s Lawnmower” is a quick way to get rid of pesky trees clogging up the runs. On Mount Axtell, one of our favorite local mountains, the trees were prime for a haircut. That is, until the storm cycle at the end of February, which made most of the bowls on Axtell release to the ground, and put an end to a large number of trees.

Axtell’s Wang Chung slid to the ground as well, and with nearly no new snow in the month of March, it was barely even skiable. Thankfully, the snows of spring rectified that problem, and Wang Chung has been “thin but in” for a while now. I suggested Wang Chung, and I didn’t even realize that neither Brittany nor Alex Reidman had skied it through the Eraser couloir yet, so it was a first for both of them. Although I must admit that 4th bowl was looking mighty tempting, too:
Axtell 4th bowl

I dropped in first:
Frank Konsella Wang Chung

Frank Konsella Wang Chung ski


Alex Reidman:
Alex Reidman ski

Brittany:
Skiing the Wang Chung face

I thought the Eraser was going to be thinner and tougher than it was. I guess the slides didn’t affect it too much. Alex:

Brittany heading towards the choke:

One of my favorite things about this line? Looking back at the tracks from the bottom:

It’s a beautiful line, isn’t it? Cheers to spring storms!

Remember, the end of seasons is always the best time to shop:

Frank Konsella
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Summary
Skiing the Wang Chung Face
Article Name
Skiing the Wang Chung Face
Description
Trip report from the Wang Chung face in the Crested Butte backcountry.
Author

Frank Konsella

Frank loves snow more than anything... except his wife.    He ensures his food is digested properly by chewing it 32 times before swallowing. He is a full-time real estate agent serving Crested Butte and Gunnison and would be honored to send you his monthly newsletter.

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