Mount Arkansas Ski - 5.28.2013

Last Tuesday, on my way back from a great weekend in the desert, I met up with my old friend Brennan Metzler to ski Mount Arkansas just southeast of Fremont Pass. With a long spell of warm and sunny weather, and everyone in CO getting after it, it seemed like the snowpack was finally approaching spring stability. As we left the Climax Mine trailhead we observed a distinct freeze as evidenced by frozen streams and a firm crust on top of the snow.

The day started with a mellow approach of a few miles through the headwaters of the Arkansas River towards Mount Arkansas' north amphitheater. Mt. Democrat's west face:


Arkansas and its north face coming into sight:

Photo: Brennan Metzler

Brennan had been up in the basin the previous week, and had ideas for a handful of lines to check off. As we traveled through the basin we had plenty of time to select a line to start with. We decided to start with Arkansas' exposed and cliffy north face, looking like a mini North Maroon just above and left of Brennan: