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Huron would be straightforward, at least more so than Massive.
I had been up this trail twice before and felt it to be safe for
a solo ski. The snow closure and subsequent car camp was at the
Winfield ghost town. Early the next morning I skinned from the car
on very frozen snow and with a few solo days behind me this spring
I was used to the solitude.
The weather was good and the time passed quickly. The main NW face
looked a bit too patchy to ski so I opted to follow the summer route
to its left. With its moderate angle I could easily reach the summit
ridge and then piece the finish together from there. I could safely
climb up and ski down along the ridge, on the snowy side, and reach
the more open and mellow terrain I ascended below.
By now afternoon weather was building all around me. With the sun
obscured, the snow remained firm(safe) and allowed the solo nerves
to stay relaxed. It was warm enough though that the lower mountain
would soften up because of ambient air temperature, so the skiing
wouldn't be totally lame.
The requisite solo portrait shots were taken up top and I began
down the ridge. It wasn't the most aesthetic line off the summit,
I'd want the east side for that, but for solo purposes this would
work just fine. The corn snow peeled off thicker and thicker as
I made my way down to the road and back to the car.
I was a smooth day. Next week I would return for another go at
Massive.
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