Enjoying Indian Summer
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When you live in a ski town, it’s likely that you live a life of extremes. Work-load often relies on the seasons and tourists. That means I indulge myself in ski-related pleasures in spring, but buckle down to full-force workload all summer long.
And then, sometime in mid-September I reared my head toward the sky and realized the leaves were changing. Summer was over, and I barely did anything to “play”. I mean, sure, I went for the couple-hour-bike-ride on a regular basis. But, I didn’t have many of those all-day-long adventures that you come home from so tired that you can’t even think about cooking food.
Well, Indian Summer came to my rescue. In many years past, we’ve been skiing by now. Some years, like in 2013, early skiing has been epic. But, this year, snow has been practically non-existent. Even our high peaks remain barren. Yet, somehow I don’t seem to mind. I’ve been taking advantage of the weather to get my little jolt of summer.
The Indian Summer has been spectacular. Warmer than July or August, adventures in the alpine have not only been possible, they’ve been enjoyable. So, here’s a collection of photos from a few of our Indian Summer adventures.
Climbing at Harmel’s in Taylor Canyon
Later, my friend Natalie came to visit, on fall break from massage school in Delta. We decided to hit the rock – a multi-pitch trad route on the First Buttress. Natalie took the lead.
Me on top of the route – we climbed to the right, and then were able to descend down a gully to the left.
Mount Owen
After a long ridge hike and climb of Unnamed 13,130′ (report to come later), Natalie topped off her time in Crested Butte with a climb of Mount Owen.
Ruby on the left.
Green Lake in the still morning air.
Natalie making her way on the ridge to the summit of Mount Owen.
And then the summit.
Natalie soaking in a different view of the Elks.
If it’s not gonna snow, it might as well be Indian Summer 🙂 Here’s to alpine adventures in the fall!
- Mount Buckskin (17 May 2020) - May 28, 2020
- Horseshoe Ski (14 May 2020) – The mountain whose journey nearly killed me - May 27, 2020
- Sayres X-Rated Ski (10 May 2020) - May 19, 2020
