Early start, left the skins in the bag and went up the GOS ski trail in tele boots over a mixed surface: mostly frozen snow, some grass, a bit of mud.
First run in one of the northern finger gullies, not quite filled in to the top. Just above freezing at that time, that aspect would be the first to soften. My toes looked like popsicles so I took the time to stuff a little shake 'n bake into each boot before the climb. Nice to get some first tracks. Middle gullies in great shape, no bumps but getting lots of use. Eventually made it around to the top of the snowfield by 1:30 for smoother surfaces. Up on the ridge, there was a light southeast breeze and a little less warming, and a nice cranberry snack. Skiing down with the sun at my back, the delicate crust underfoot quickly disinigrated and poured down the hill with every turn. Kinda fun! Headed out the ski trail on spent knees, mostly slipping and snowplows to half-way, then off and on skis for the last 1/2 mile.
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| mountain cranberries - Vaccinium-vitis-idaea |
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| South Gully |
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