Wacky weather

Two days ago when I was lapping the Laguna area the freezing level rose to 3000m, given that everything around here is 2400m and lower, everything got a little warm. We had received upwards of 70cm of new and I was hoping for lost of great skiing, but it was so warm that I wondered if I would find any good skiing left on the South faces. But no need to wonder since if the melt freeze crust was not enough it then rained up to 2300m, virtually F#$%^&* everything.  Since it was a rainy day the family and I headed to take a look at Isla Victoria, a touristy hike through a super cool forest. Myrtle trees, a phenomenon on  this one island. Super amazing forest, unlike anything I have ever seen.

I am not usually one for touristy things, but this had a beautiful walkway through this special place. It also involved a boat ride to this island with another touristy yet appealing game. Feeding the flying seagulls.

Sorry I digressed from skiing, but there is another side to my life.

Today I headed up the hill, down a hard rain crusted line, well there were a few softish turns, but overall it was high speed side slipping. I then headed up past Refugio Frey and met up with Cassidy, a friend of a friend who was in the area. A quick “hey what’s up?” and then I was off and up a skin track towards Torre Principal. I had dreams that I could solo to the top of this thing but in reality there are a few pitches of 5.10, so obviously no go.  Anyhow since there was melt freeze crust or rain crust everywhere this north face was warming up and had some decent turns down it. I went back and tried to catch back up to Cassidy and crew but they were headed somewhere different from where I wanted to head, so a faraway wave and I was off.  More crusty skiing, a boot pack up a slope that was too frozen to skin and then home. 10370 ft. My tenth 10 000 footer of the month.