After this week, I just had to write another post about the crust skiing. This time of year, as the mountain snowpack settles and endures multiple freeze/thaw cycles, clear, freezing nights bring about perfect conditions for a thick crust to form. This crust is strong enough to support a running moose and allows you to ski wherever you want to in the mountains. For a few weeks each year, depending on these specific conditions, travel in the mountains is basically unencumbered and fast! A high mountain lake which may take you an hour to hike around in the summer is now a 10 minute ski across. Miles of brush, impenetrable alder bushes, creeks and rivers, rocky moraines are all hidden beneath the snow and the crust allows you access to areas you wouldn't think of going other times of the year.
This week the conditions were perfect and cold clear mornings became bright sunny days. I cleared my schedule.
Middle Fork Campbell Cr. - Williwaw Lakes
South Fork Campbell Cr. - Powerline Pass - with Jess
South Fork Eagle River - Eagle Lake
Much of my research for skiing in these great mountains has looked to former Vermonter Tim Kelley. His website,
Alaska Performance Backcountry Skiing, is a wealth of knowledge for skiing most anywhere in the state - off the beaten path. Thanks, Tim! These have been totally unique and rewarding outings and I'm still in awe of this opportunity I've been afforded!
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