Peak Z Ski (attempt)
Date: 5/13/2021
Partner: Joel Paula, Berto
Trailhead: Pitkin TH
Planned Route: Pitkin - Usable - Prime Time Couloir - Zebra Stripe
Distance: 15.5m
Elevation Gain:5500ft
Start: 2:15am
Duration: 10hrs 25min
GPX
Joel and I had been talking about skiing Peak Z for a year now. In fact, Peak Z served as our introduction in the spring of 2020.
When planning the trip, we weighed approaching from Boulder Lake on the east side and approaching from Pitkin over Usable Pass on the west.
While the Boulder Lake approach is shorter and less vertical, it requires significant bushwhacking through the eastern Gore hell forest. The Pitkin approach is longer with more vertical but straight forward navigation and no bushwhacking required. Still burning from a demoralizing gorewhacking experience on a failed Peak L attempt earlier in the season we opted for Pitkin. In retrospect I would choose Pitkin again. Navigating and bushwhacking in the dark isn't so much fun.
The Pitkin approach went as planned and we made good time to Usable Pass, roughly 4 hours. However, we found the snow on the east side of the pass to be complete garbage. One inch of firm breakable crust made skiing a humbling experience. We began to question if we would achieve our objective.
Our plan was to climb about 500ft up the east ridge of Z Prime and ski Prime Time Couloir to the base of the Zebra Stripe. However, snow conditions were bad on every aspect and we were concerned about having to descend steep terrain in dangerous conditions. We made the call to abort the mission about 500ft below Prime Time's entrance.
The ski back to Pitkin was awful... the snow was firm and breakable right up to the trail where we put on our shoes and hiked out. I can't say I have ever covered 5500ft, 15 miles and done pretty much zero skiing... but we did just that.
Back at the trailhead we shared a couple of beers before heading back home. A day of skiing is better than a day of not skiing... especially in one of the Gore's most magical places.
15.5m - 5500ft - 10.5hrs
Joel and Berto approaching Usable Pass in VW Basin
Joel skins Usable as the sun rises on Holy Cross
East Partner Peak from Usable
Joel skis the east side of Usable as Berto looks on. Keller Mountain looking impressive
The snow on Usable was a firm breakable crust. Joel begins to think Peak Z may be out of reach
The basin between Peak Z, Keller and Solitude is one of my favorite spots in the Gore. This would be our turn around point... roughly 500ft below Prime Time Couloir that would have taken us to the base of the Zebra Stripe
Alex skinning back to Usable Pass below Peak X
PANO - This area is littered with lakes in the summer months
Mount Solitude
Keller Mountain
Joel ascends the east side of Usable Pass - Steeper but shorter than the west side
Berto scouting lines on East Partner
Alex skiing some awful breakable crust on Usable
Joel and Berto in VW Basin - The prominent point on the right is X Prime
With the snow getting softer we skinned out above the creek and closer to the summer trail. You can see our morning tracks below.
The Pitkin Trail had very little bushwhacking - but where is Mike Sanchez when you need him!