{"id":415663,"date":"2015-07-15T14:13:42","date_gmt":"2015-07-15T20:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/?p=415663"},"modified":"2015-07-15T14:13:42","modified_gmt":"2015-07-15T20:13:42","slug":"tr-mount-oklahoma-ski-2-july-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/tr-mount-oklahoma-ski-2-july-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"TR: Mount Oklahoma Ski (2 July 2015)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oklahoma had been on my list for many years. Anyone who has skied Mount Massive<\/a> has likely gazed upon the slopes of Oklahoma which hold snow late into the spring and early summer. I know I’m not the only one who spotted it as I climbed up Mount Massive and wondered, “What am I doing here<\/em>? I should be over there!”<\/p>\n

Oklahoma in the morning.
\n\"Backcountry<\/p>\n

After camping just down the road from the trailhead the night before, we got a pretty early start in the morning. Halfmoon Creek was raging.
\n\"Halfmoon<\/p>\n

The wildflowers were starting to make their mark on the landscape.
\n\"Paintbrush<\/p>\n

K49.
\n\"K49<\/p>\n

After having a rather adverse experience climbing Oklahoma the year before, Natalia suggested that we access it by heading to Halfmoon Lakes first. So, that’s what we did.
\n\"Natalie<\/p>\n

Natalia with Mount Oklahoma and Upper North Halfmoon Lake.
\n\"Upper<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

From there, we switched into our ski boots and began climbing the mountain. Natalia.
\n\"Natalia<\/p>\n

\"Natalia<\/p>\n

The couloir was fun to climb, but the upper SE slopes were pretty shallow and post-holy. Me on the upper slopes.
\n\"Brittany<\/p>\n

Almost to the summit!
\n\"Approaching<\/p>\n

Once on the summit, it was time to celebrate. You see, just a few days prior, Natalia had finished climbing all of Colorado’s centennial peaks (top 100 highest peaks). Due to my work schedule, I was unable to celebrate with her then. But, it was just a few days later, and we were on top of a Centennial. So, time for indulgences.
\n\"Natalia<\/p>\n

Since Natalia is Russian, I made her take a good old swig of vodka. Cherry vodka, to be exact. Good stuff that I brought back from Poland years back. Not that we encourage drinking on top of CO’s highest peaks, but…..
\n\"Natalie<\/p>\n

We spent awhile at the summit, and of course signed the register.
\n\"Signing<\/p>\n

Some familiar names on this one.
\n\"Summit<\/p>\n

\"IMG_6858\"<\/a><\/p>\n

French, Frasco, Casco, and La Plata. La Plata still looks so good!
\n\"Sawatch<\/p>\n

Mount Champion and 13,736′. Also looking good.
\n\"Champion<\/p>\n

Then, as a storm tried to threaten us, we quickly made our way down Oklahoma’s upper slopes. Natalia.
\n\"Natalia<\/p>\n

\"Natalia<\/p>\n

Me.
\n\"Brittany<\/p>\n

The looming clouds had passed over us just as we made our way to the fun part. Me.
\n\"Brittany<\/p>\n

\"Brittany<\/p>\n

\"Brittany<\/p>\n

\"Brittany<\/p>\n

\"Brittany<\/p>\n

Natalia.
\n\"Natalia<\/p>\n

\"Natalia<\/p>\n

\"Natalia<\/p>\n

\"Natalia<\/p>\n

\"Natalia<\/p>\n

We skied until the snow ran out:)
\n\"Brittany<\/p>\n

\"Natalia<\/p>\n

The Halfmoon Lakes area is beautiful. So, we took some time to enjoy it!
\n\"Brittany<\/p>\n

Although there was a bit of a hike involved in getting to Oklahoma, it was largely fairly easy. It was a good day, and fun skiing, especially for July. But, we weren’t done yet. We still had plans for one more day of skiing!<\/p>\n