Howdy folks, we’ve got a few things for y’all to think on who are considering bringing skis up this holiday weekend. We have seen a lot of folks attempt to ski the Emmons this past week and it has put the rangers climbing beneath them on edge.
It is full summer on the upper mountain. It's highly variable and dangerous ski conditions. There are few to no planar surfaces. Climbers descending by foot have been beating skiers down the mountain. This is not the place for skiing just for the sake of skiing. We want to see everyone have a safe and enjoyable time this week, and skiing is not the ideal tool for current conditions.
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| The Emmons on 6/30. |
All in all, we are strongly recommending AGAINST skiing this weekend or the rest of summer. If you’re really fiending for some turns, there’s a few left on the Inter or Muir snowfield.
Considerations if you are still bringing skis above 10k:
Remember that falling on the Emmons is not an option. We have had serious injuries and death from skiers catching the wrong edge.
Rangers have been observing skiers side-slipping the bootpack as their descent. This creates overhead hazard for the parties below you, both you as a fall hazard and the snow and ice you’re sending down towards others. This also destroys the bootpack, and that’s pretty rude.
Please make turns as far away from other climbers as possible. Rangers have also been observing skiers skiing far too quickly and close to climbers on foot. Please be considerate of climbers on foot, both ascending and descending. They have the right of way.
If your only safe ski descent option is the bootpack, it’s a sign that ski season is over. Please recognize when travel by foot is the safest and most effective way to descend.
It is looking like a sunny holiday weekend and camps are full or filling up. Please remember to respect other climbers and enjoy the opportunity of being on the mountain and in wilderness.
