{"id":419499,"date":"2016-02-22T18:21:07","date_gmt":"2016-02-23T01:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/?p=419499"},"modified":"2016-02-21T18:25:54","modified_gmt":"2016-02-22T01:25:54","slug":"tr-the-gothic-fork-20-feb-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/2016\/02\/tr-the-gothic-fork-20-feb-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"TR: Skiing the Gothic Fork (20 Feb 2016)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gothic Mountain stands aesthetically proud above the valley of Crested Butte. In the summer, it’s an eye-catcher. But in winter, it taunts the imaginations of nearly any skier. Gothic Mountain is littered with ski lines, from the south-facing Spoon couloir<\/a>, to the West Chutes<\/a>, to the north bowls<\/a>, and then the spiny east face<\/a>. It’s a skier’s dream.<\/p>\n

With the February high pressure, avalanche stability was low all around. The south-facing Spoon typically gets hit early during high pressures like this. We decided to hop on the bandwagon and see what we could find up on Gothic Mountain. Frank and I were joined by our friend Jomah.<\/p>\n

We ascended the traditional route, enjoying the staircase to the top. Jomah.
\n\"Jomah<\/p>\n

Frank climbing.
\n\"Frank<\/p>\n

At the top, we decided to ski the line just to the looker’s right of the Gothic Spoon, which we called the Gothic Fork. But, to get to it, we skied a little bit of the Spoon first. Jomah happy and ready to ski.
\n\"Jomah<\/p>\n

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

Jomah enjoying a few turns on the Spoon at the top.
\n\"Jomah<\/p>\n

\"Jomah<\/p>\n

Dropping into the Fork.
\n\"Frank<\/p>\n

The Fork was a little mushy, but still fun. Frank.
\n\"Frank<\/p>\n

\"Frank<\/p>\n

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

\"Jomah<\/p>\n

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

\"Brittany<\/p>\n

Jomah at bottom of the Fork.
\n\"Jomah<\/p>\n

Me skiing out the bottom with the Fork behind.
\n\"Gothic<\/p>\n

It has been great to take advantage of this amazing high pressure and snow stability. Welcome to Februapril!<\/p>\n