{"id":341,"date":"2014-01-10T03:16:32","date_gmt":"2014-01-10T09:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.14erskiers.com\/blog\/?p=341"},"modified":"2014-01-10T09:53:26","modified_gmt":"2014-01-10T15:53:26","slug":"afley-peak-12646-se-face-22109","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/afley-peak-12646-se-face-22109\/","title":{"rendered":"Afley Peak 12,646&#8242; SE Face  2.21.09"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Note:  We didn&#8217;t have anything to post today, so we&#8217;re re-posting an oldie but a goodie.  Hope we can get similar conditions on Afley this year.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The southeast face of Afley is one I&#8217;ve wanted to ski for a long time.  From Scarp&#8217;s ridge, Afley appears as an amazingly aesthetic pyramid, caked with snow and begging for a descent.  Last Saturday, I finally got my chance and headed out with Pete, Sean, and John.  Our first step was to snowmobile out to Scarp&#8217;s ridge, but along the way we had to stop and take a photo of Ruby chute, off the side of Ruby Peak.  For those of you looking for beta, it has rap anchors above the ice bulge and makes for a nice ski (of course, it can be skied in good snow conditions without a rappel)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09002.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09002.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--more READ MORE--><\/p>\n<p>At the top of the ridge, we started checking out the face, which obviously looked amazing.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09008.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09008.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The S-chute on Purple peak is another local classic, one which I might have to repeat again soon.  (Mt Owen back and to the left)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09009.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09009.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Our first step was to descend to Blue lakes off of Scarp&#8217;s ridge, which we did in some incredible N-facing snow.  John:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09011.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09011.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Pete:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09024.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09024.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Frank:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/?action=view&#038;current=IMG_4614.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/IMG_4614.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/s178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/?action=view&#038;current=IMG_4617.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/IMG_4617.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Next, it was time to put in a skintrack to the ridge.  Sean starting up underneath Purple Peak:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09048.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09048.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>One of Pete&#8217;s photos:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/?action=view&#038;current=IMG_4631.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/IMG_4631.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"So Sweet\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After gaining the ridge, it was time for the ridge climb.  We generally stayed on the rocks, which made for a bit of a sporty climb.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09058.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09058.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>From the top, the tiny (only 11,348&#8242;) Marcellina Mountain reminded us that size doesn&#8217;t always matter:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09062.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09062.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>John drops in first, finding some quality snow right off the top:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09073.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09073.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Pete&#8217;s turn:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09091.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09091.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Followed by Sean:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09116.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09116.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I dropped in last, which wasn&#8217;t a problem on this huge face:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/?action=view&#038;current=IMG_4682.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/IMG_4682.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kind of blurry, unfortunately, but would have been a good photo of Pete:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09134.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09134.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lower down, we found some fun features to play with:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/?action=view&#038;current=IMG_4711.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/IMG_4711.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Ooohhh\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/s178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/?action=view&#038;current=IMG_4713.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i178.photobucket.com\/albums\/w277\/spsowar\/Afley%202%2021%2009\/IMG_4713.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Pete:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09167.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09167.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We skinned back out to Scarp&#8217;s and got one last photo of our tracks on the face.  A bunch of snowmobilers kept coming by, asking us questions like &#8220;Which one of you skied that face?&#8221;  Sadly, nobody took the bait and said, &#8220;I did, four times in a row, while these guys sat around and watched.&#8221;  That would have been the only way to top what was otherwise one of the best days of what has turned out to be a great season, and one that is only halfway through.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/s244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/?action=view&#038;current=Afley2-21-09186.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/i244.photobucket.com\/albums\/gg23\/franksblog\/Afley%20%202-20-09\/Afley2-21-09186.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Note: We didn&#8217;t have anything to post today, so we&#8217;re re-posting an oldie but a goodie. Hope we can get<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-341","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-backcountry-skiing","category-crested-butte"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=341"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6505,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/341\/revisions\/6505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=341"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=341"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=341"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}