{"id":50300,"date":"2014-12-20T21:42:06","date_gmt":"2014-12-21T04:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/?p=50300"},"modified":"2014-12-21T18:19:17","modified_gmt":"2014-12-22T01:19:17","slug":"tr-mickeys-9-dec-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/14erskiers.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/tr-mickeys-9-dec-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"TR: Mickey’s (9 Dec 2014)"},"content":{"rendered":"

A week and half ago we were in full-on high pressure which had been lasting a while. With low avalanche danger, it was time to ski high and go a little bigger than we typically think in December. <\/p>\n

Alex skinning.
\n\"Alex<\/p>\n

I was challenged in finding ski partners on this particular Tuesday, and Pete kindly let me tag along on his adventure with Mike. Then, late the night before, my friend Alex decided to not go ride her bike and go skiing instead. So, it was a foursome.<\/p>\n

It was a beautiful day with a light breeze on the ridge. But, it was calm enough to take some time to enjoy the views, like this one of Mineral Point.
\n\"View<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The surrounding area was looking pretty darned good for being devoid of significant snowfall for nearly two weeks.
\n\"Poverty<\/p>\n

I call this the Cascade Couloir<\/a>, Pete calls it the Gnar Couloir. A rappel is needed for the entrance, making it a wonderfully fun ski mountaineering line.
\n\"Cascade<\/p>\n

We traveled for quite some time on the ridge.
\n\"Alex<\/p>\n

I don’t know if this lake has a name, but I call it Chasm pond. In the summer it looks like a bottomless hole of water. Pete calls it Death Lake.
\n\"Chasm<\/p>\n

A beautiful ridge on a beautiful day.
\n\"Purple<\/p>\n

This is “Mickey’s”. I’m told that a person named Mickey skied it solo back in the day and survived an avalanche. If anyone can confirm this or knows more details, please share. We love that stuff!
\n\"Mickey's,<\/p>\n

Conditions looked a little funky down there. But, in actuality they were pretty good – if you skied fast enough to break the zipper crust. Mike took it first.
\n\"Mike<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/p>\n

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

\"Pete<\/p>\n

\"Pete<\/p>\n

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

\"Alex<\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

A look back up at our line – nearly 1700′ vert to this point, and 800′ still more down to go.
\n\"Mickey's<\/p>\n

Up valley, still many more options for those looking.
\n\"Looking<\/p>\n

A noticeable line leads from the ridge directly down to “Chasm pond” or “Death Lake”. Pete and some others call this the Secret Chute, but I believe I’ve heard it called Nuclear Chute as well.
\n\"backcountry<\/p>\n

It was great to check out a new line and a new zone up high in Crested Butte’s backcountry. But, with new snow and more storms on the way, it’s back to powder skiing for now \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n