Backcountry SkiingGore Range

TR: Outpost Peak Ski (1 April 2016)

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After skiing the Birthday Chute earlier in the week, I knew the Gore was prime. So, I found myself turning around and heading back to the same zone just a few days later, just after a storm. This time, my good friend Dave Bourassa was able to join me, and Outpost Peak was his suggestion.

We skinned up through the forest, breaking trail the whole way.
Backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Brittany Walker Konsella backcountry skiing Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

The storm was at it’s tail end during our skin, and as we gained elevation, the clouds began to break.
Backcountry skiing Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Brittany Walker Konsella backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

So magical! You can’t predict when moments like this will happen. You just have to be there when they do…
Backcountry skiing Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Looking across at Skier’s Point.
Skiers Point in the Gore Range.

Dave making his way to the summit of Outpost Peak.
Backcountry skiing Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Yeah, it was magical alright.
Brittany Konsella backcountry skiing Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Dave enjoying the nearly windless day.
Dave Bourassa backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Peak V (East Partner) looking sweet. Dave and I skied this along with our friend Mark about 10 years ago.
Peak V in the Gore Range.

The Fly with the Spider behind.
The Fly and the Spider in the Gore Range.

After weighing our options, we decided on a pretty conservative route given the new snow and difficult visibility. We would ski a little bit of the south side of Outpost Peak, then skin and reascend to the ridge we skinned earlier, and then ski the avalanche chutes off of Little Skier’s Peak which I caught a good glimpse of from the Birthday Chute earlier in the week. Dave on the south side.
Dave Bourassa backcountry skiing Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Me.
Brittany Walker Konsella backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Brittany Walker Konsella backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

After skinning back up to the ridge, we caught a great view of the Birthday Chute which I’d skied earlier in the week – coming down to the right of the right subpeak.
Birthday Chute in the Gore Range.

We also met a couple of guys who were on their way up to the top of Outpost as well – a rarity to see someone else in the Gore, let along on a weekday!

Then on to the ski. Dave.
Dave Bourassa backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Dave Bourassa backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Dave Bourassa backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Dave Bourassa backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Dave Bourassa backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Dave Bourassa backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Dave near the bottom.
Dave Bourassa backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Me.
Brittany Walker Konsella backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Brittany Walker Konsella backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Brittany Walker Konsella backcountry skiing on Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Breaking trail out of the Pitkin Drainage was a bit of a pain, but it was worth it for all the fresh snow we had fun skiing 🙂

Thanks Dave, for another great day out. Like old times!
Brittany Walker Konsella and Dave Bourassa on top of Outpost Peak in the Gore Range.

Brittany Walker Konsella

Summary
Outpost Peak Ski
Article Name
Outpost Peak Ski
Description
Outpost Peak is a lesser traveled destination in the Gore Range, but offers a wealth of backountry skiing opportunities for all levels!
Author
14erskiers

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!

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