Michelle Lujan Grisham (#1 governor) lifted the requirement of a 14-day quarantine for those who travel out of state, so long as they don't use commercial transportation. Alex and I made arrangements to drive separately and camp in our vehicles for a quick trip to ski near Independence Pass.
Four hours of driving from Santa Fe, the views were worthwhile.
Late in the afternoon we climbed a single pitch at the Grotto, 10 miles toward the pass above Aspen. What beautiful rock!
It was a bit of a fight not to blow the OS on this 5.10a pitch. This crag merits returns.
We started the drive toward Grizzly Peak, but it was gated near Lincoln Gulch. So that plan was cancelled. Driving around Twin Lakes, the line on Hope had struck us. So we drove to the pass, sipped beers, cooked a garlic-heavy meal, and looked at our options. The Mount Hope approach looked reasonable enough.
I would like to return and ski the full 4700 ft from the summit to the road in good early spring conditions some year. The steep hike up and down carrying the skis left me really sore. We did the easiest possible lap off Independence Pass the next morning. Next time we need to ski it to the switchback, but we avoided hitching a ride, just this time.
A view of Grizzly Peak
This gully off a lower satellite of Twin Peaks also demands attention.
Thanks to Alex for a couple of fun days, thanks to Alisson for the hall pass, and thanks to the governor and the lab for lifting the quarantine requirement!