Harp

When it comes to after work adventures, this is as good as it gets.  Justin D. and I headed up to Harp Mountain for a post-work ski outing.  The Eagle River Valley received nearly a foot of new snow in the last 48 hours, with a nice dusting of champagne powder last night.

Where is everyone? All of this for ourselves?  You mean I don't have to share?

We headed to the end of Highland Road and started our ascent up the ridge.  With bluebird skies, but fleeting daylight, we made it as far as we could before beginning our descent.

Kicking in the skintrack.

First tracks.  Why do I always let him go first?

Look closely.  Why am I smiling?  Dude, because of the face shots!!  Nice picture Justin...my new nomination for picture of the year.

Continuing the run...

Continuing the run...

This blog wouldn't be complete without a picture of LB.

Our tracks, and only our tracks.  I can confidently say that this was one of the best runs of the year.  Haven't skied powder like that in a while.  The Snobomb says, "that's alotta fuggin snow".  Matty don't say eff.

To put it all in perspective, I toured up Harp again today with my buddy Scott.  In just 24 hours, the pristine powder had disappeared, and the wind was nuking through the South Fork valley.  We cut our tour a bit short, and observed shooting cracks and soft slab releases as we did survival turns all the way back to the truck.  We practiced some avalanche rescue and lived to ski another day.

"The wind works quick..."  - The Token Fat Guy