Amos struggling with the crust.
The slopes are a bit crusty, but still skiable. We make tracks for a good way down, Jim leading the way around the occasional gaping crevasse in elegant parallel turns. He and Tammie are the only ones cheating on this trip. Amos and Phil pull a beautiful simultaneous wipeout.
Listening to our guide, Jim.
The untracked slope we skied looks like a ski resort slope after we lay siege on it.
Mike, and all our tracks.
Amos keeps warm in his pit.
Back up at the top of the slope, some of mention we'd like to head up to Young's Peak. Jim obviously isn't to thrilled with the prospect, since he doesn't really know our skiing abilities yet, but he leads the way.
Taking the skis off...
The final climb up to Young's Peak
The summit is a big flat wind-scoured thing. We take in the views, take some pictures, then head down a little ways to the start of the steep bit. Jim has a little talk with us, and manages to convince a few to walk down instead of ski, the 40+degree slope.
Corinne on Young's Peak
Somehow, Phil gets to be first down after Jim. The runout is really alright, but he's still scared to make his first turn. The old ski tracks on the face have frozen solid, and the snow is inconsistent. He slips on his first and second turns, he slips, but does not fall. After the angle lessens, it's not problem. The rest of the group comes down with no big falls... for many it's the first real ski day of the year.
Bad picture of people skiing the top of Young's
Lower down, Tammie and Jim, the two cheaters, take off back to the hut. Jim needs to pack up, as he's heading out today. The rest of us take a more leisurely pace down the Steps of Paradise, and find some decent snow.
The Steps of Paradise
Lukas and Corinne
Mike, with Young's Peak behind
In the late afternoon, we bid Jim goodbye, and a few of us head down the slopes below the hut for a final ski run.
Lukas
Amos
Kermit groovin' in the hut.
The next day...