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| Katie kicks off 2014 with ski on Silvercrest in Little Belts |
By that measurement 2014 is off to a good start.
Katie and I got out on Silvercrest Ski Area in the Little Belts on Jan. 1 for the long loop.
Since we were on groomed trail I put on my old, skinny E-99s.
I hadn't worn them in over 10 years, nor had I been at Silvercrest in about four years.
I was amazed at how good they felt, and astounded when I remembered my backcountry trips with them when these skis were "state of the art."
We've come a long way.
The temperatures were chilly, but the skies clear and sunny and there was no breeze and the snow was just as good as it gets.
On Jan. 2 I went out by myself in search of some good backcountry tele skiing and found it on the Deadman headwaters ---- accidentally.
As I started my day, the winds were howling at Kings Hill Pass as I searched for Mark Hertenstein tracks he had laid down Jan. 1.
The wind had covered them and the snow was getting a wind-icing, making them hard.
I headed straight to the top of Kings Hill and on the Deadman trail, veering to the east at the beautiful, flat and open ridgeline.
I had recalled an easy slope there that might be sheltered and steep enough to pull some turns.
Right on both accounts and the sun popped out to boot!
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| The heavenly telemark slopes above Deadman |
Below me was one of the most open, beautiful tele slope ---- protected from the wind.
I made my way down about 800 feet in stages, getting tremendous turns in forgiving snow.
This was heaven!
Getting back out of this hole was not heaven, a challenging task that took me some 50 minutes, cutting switchback as I went.
It was here that my shoulder, still recovering from Nov. 21 surgery, began to ache. I guess I have more healing to do.
I skied back to the pass and headed to White Sulphur Springs where I soaked at the Spa, which made the shoulder feel lots better.
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| I've circled where I spent time telemark skiing the slopes |
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