Fellow Snowgoers.

For Frances' first outing after a two year recovery from fractured vertebra and (later) fractured kneecap, we wanted "backcountry lite." So, with a friend, we skied both loops at RC on Saturday under bluebird skies. (See p. 38 of Sam's "Ski Touring in NNM") Snow depth varied between 0"-18". Below are

1) the route (from an earlier trip on the same trails),

2) the discouraging entry to the trails, and

3) one shot of more typical conditions.

There were fewer than 20 bare sections, each with ~30' of snowfree length, and most were rock free. The northern loop had been skiied by one or two others since the most recent snow, and we broke trail over most of the south loop.

Happy trails,

Mike Meier

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