I’ve been itching for an adventure lately, so early this morning I hiked up Mt. Sneffels in the moonlight again! I left Ouray at 1:30am (ouch!) and started hiking into Yankee Boy Basin at 2:30am. The “supermoon” – aka, the full moon at its closest orbit to Earth – was incredibly bright, and I had no troubles finding my way without headlamp. I arrived at the summit at about 5:15am, just as the first orange and blue light of dawn illuminated the eastern horizon.
Sneffels Supermoon : Prints Available
A full moon sets behind the Dallas Peak (close) and the San Miguel Range, as seen from the summit of Mt. Sneffels, May.
This was the second time I’ve ascended Mt. Sneffels in the moonlight; you can see photos from the first time here. There’s something so special about being up high at night, especially when you can see clearly in the moonlight! The sunrise was awesome, but so was the moonset – I had a hard time choosing which direction to shoot!
Me, chilling out by myself on the summit.
Here’s a view of neighboring Gilpin Peak (13,694 ft) seen from the summit of Sneffels. Because I knew I’d be descending Sneffels when the snow was still frozen, plus the fact that the dearth of snow on the south side of Sneffels made it virtually unskiable, I had stashed my splitboard at the base of the Lavendar Col and hiked back down in my crampons.
But I wasn’t done yet! I had plans to meet Jake from Vermont again in the flats between Sneffels and Gilpin. We rendezvoused at 9:00am and started hiking up Gilpin. Our destination was the couloir on the far right side of the photo above (the more dramatic center couloir was full of bumpy snow).
Hiking up along the north ridge of Gilpin Peak, with Sneffels behind. The snow was getting alarmingly soft and wet, so we pulled the plug about 2/3 of the way up.
Jake skis Gilpin. The line was great and the snow was fantastic – perfectly soft, smooth, and fast spring corn. Some of the best turns of the season (which is not saying much, but still it was really good!)
I’ll sleep well tonight!
Your photos are absolutely amazing. WOW!
Thanks Steve!
Oh my, Jack. These are stunning images. Can’t think of a better way to start off my Monday! Thanks as usual for sharing.
Thanks for looking, Niran!
Amazing as usual.
Thanks Nathan!
Makes me miss climbing mountains and riding down them! Well done!
Well you should come out here sometime! (on a better snow year!) In the meantime, I’m sure you’re enjoying the waves, eh?
Yeah, I should. Maybe when the kid is 6 months old…Thanks for the invite — we might take you up on it!
Yeah get him started early! 🙂
Nice Jack. Glad you found some soft snow. We were hanging out on the E side of Indy Pass over the weekend. Did the N Face of Deer but it was still super firm at 11:30 on saturday.
Hey Forrest, yeah hopefully we’ll get another dump or two before it’s all over!
You’re a madman, Jack! And I mean that in the best possible way – you’re breaking new ground with your gluttony mountain pursuits. 🙂 That sunrise shot is one of my JB favorites already.
Thanks Dave! I’m only a madman when I sit and stare at the computer for too long!
Man I’d love to make that hike! I gotta get out there again. Love your passion Jack! Just be careful (don’t want anything happening to my web guy!!).
Hey Jack, looks like the snow is pretty white, i should have come out this week, great piks!!
Wow! looks so cold and much fun. I enjoyed the photographs so much. It’s so beautiful!