The good news was that we had the pass to ourselves. The bad news was that the skiing was pretty marginal.
We pretty much knew that conditions were likely fairly poor, but six Ramblers were anxious enough to get out on their AT/tele gear and to ski the Highwood Pass area before it closes.
We set off a little before 10. The access trail was not much worse than it usually is, but it is a bit of a challenge even at the best of times. Once we got to the open meadows, track conditions improved somewhat.

Heading up from Pocaterra tarns (north slope of Highwood Ridge in bkg)

But the skiing off the south end of Pocaterra Ridge was not very good. We seemed to go from wind packed, to sun crust, to skier tracked, to occasional nice powder, all within a few feet! The poor light didn't help. Only Mark managed to link together a few good turns in a row.


Mark on the south slope of Pocaterra Ridge

No one was interested in another run in that area, so we followed a bit of an existing uptrack to the area below the Tyrwhit/Pocaterra col, but the skiing there wasn't any better (and the light seemed even poorer). And so we strated back.



Ed, Carl, Mark, Phyllis and Terry below Tyrwhitt and Pocaterra

Crossing the creek in the meadows below Pocaterra Ridge

There was probably a bit of snow that evening, but it doesn't look like much more is coming to Highwood Pass before it closes Dec 1. I for one will likely have to make do with only one trip to the area this season.

Many thanks to participants Terry,Phyllis,Ed,Mark, and Hookie for joining me, Carl (C/S).

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