Humphreys Cirque

Summary Narrative:  Trail runners, are now the entry price to turns in the mountains.  Far more comfy than ski boots, I say to myself; and much easier to put on in the parking lot.  The season ended similarly to how it began.  On the opening tour of the year, I forgot my skins, and had to borrow a pair.  Not a crisis, given that it was the start of a tour--minor inconvience,  compared with someone I know who on their first tour didn't realized their skins weren't in their pack until they were at the bottom of Snowslide.  On my final tour of the season, I managed to forget my skis and poles, so I had to grab my hogs from Patrol Headquarters.  "Looks like a bootpacking day!".  Let's just hope the snow's still supportable by the time I reach the Cirque.

Humphrey's Trail Conditions:  Generally dry conditions at 10,000'.  By 10,500' it was generally snowy conditions.  Over a dozen unprepared hikers were slipping on the trail.  Conifer needles and rocks provided uphill traction.  At 11,700' I added microtraction when conditions became icy.  I reached the saddle in about an hour.  Westward oreinted slopes continue to hold snow depths of 50-90 cms.  South slopes are dry.  There is some consistent snow on the way up to the Saddle through Sugar Bowl.  

Snowpack:  Depths in the cirque varied between 70 and 120 cms, regardless of wind zone.  The snowpack continues to freeze above 11,500' with the upper 15-20 cms being affected.  Surfaces are generally smooth and the once wind affected surface is now a thing of the past.  The snowpack has become isothermal and there is no sign of the Holiday Ice Lens on East and Northeast facing slopes.  Ski pitches were short but sweet.  The zone became saturated and surfaces less supportive by about 2:00 PM.  Two old roller balls were noted and there was no evidence of wet loose avalanches.  

Epilogue:  On the first tour of the year, the new dense storm snow yielded fun turnable backcountry snow after just one storm event.  I was elated at the quality of snow, and thankful for the smooth backcountry turns; especially in contrast to re-entering the ski area.  Similarly, today, as I entered the ski area, transitioned, and became subject to two "friends" yelling at one another in a heated argument, I was thankful for the backcountry experience and solace and rejuvination that seems omnipresent.  Thank you San Francisco Peaks for the sanctuary and beauty you continuously provide.  Let's help sustain that experience in the decades to come.  Although it was a May-like tour in late-March, there is still good skiing to be had, you just have to walk for it.  I ask myself, in jest, "why don't more people do this type of thing?!"  What a fun and glorious day.