King's Peak Ski
Up front: I did not reach the summit this year.
I've skied to King's Peak the past two years, and both times I reached the summit. This year was my first attempt of King's that did not result in getting to the summit.
So what was the deal? Yes, I am bummed that I failed to reach my goal, a goal that is well within my ability to reach. Several factors combined to cause my failure: I was still getting over a cold, I got little sleep the morning of the event, I had a late start, my ski boots irritated my feet and I got blisters, and I was moving too slowly.
Also, when I skied into Henry's Fork basin and had a view of King's Peak, I could see the mountain clearly. Later as I moved closer to Gunsight Pass, the mountain and the upper elevation plateau was obscured by nasty-looking weather. I could have pressed on, but I was about an hour behind the fastest members of the group, and I would have had to navigate a route beyond the pass to the mountain and back in poor visibility, and I would have been alone. I did not want to risk getting lost up there, so I turned around about a mile or two from Gunsight Pass.
I skied out in full daylight, tired and sore. But I was so glad I didn't have to ski out in the dark, like I have the past two years.
So yes, I am bummed that I didn't go hardcore and push myself to the mountain, but I do know I can get to that peak and back because I have done it twice before in March conditions. | 