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- Nov 28, 2013
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Jove Peak Early Season: Not Your Typical Ski Tour
The date was set, the plan was made; it’s late November and Amy wanted a long ski tour that would challenge her technical ski touring skills. Amy is getting ready to climb Denali next spring and is set on making sure she gets her homework done; she wants to be the strongest member of the group. She also tours on a split snowboard setup and wants to improve her technical touring skills in ski mode. I had just the trip for her that would accomplish both; Jove Peak.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=8fa0fd667ae15d90dbc9d36585254f17 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=960337230fe703818dfdeda6197a4371 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=0f6407e5bbf5c5b882249b22b7805b62 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=a0fea9aa0c4b88e3a96f27ec3ddc7a82 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=512eafb92b593e2e382745ede7055e05 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=2c959b54bebc34d932b0b5033c67ecad 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=4e8e61ff86b9aeaea2d524c6e245fe87 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=da7df414691ed299626d677e13a2daf7 1024w)
Tod Bloxham photo
We set out early on Sunday knowing that Jove Peak needs a full day to accomplish; just east of Stevens Pass, Jove Peak is a tour with many options that include a logging road for a ski approach, a 1,200-foot south face for big wide turns, and a wilderness north side that includes Janus Lake, the Pacific Crest Trail, incredible views of Glacier Peak and a 1,200-foot north facing slope with amazing tree skiing. The caveat though, any option on Jove Peak is not a leisurely ski tour; you are in it for the tour, not the turns.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=de70988ff503c686f0cf33e677b43d4e 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3db35a8fadf826241a361c4cea9d67f1 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=d2b78b05f66b9d49a42ca04ee1814b99 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=588acf2e0d5d41a0b024e5aceb19f308 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=cf710fd0e8b61da0a0dc751f7050509d 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=dce8211504a2fe9c82ead7fea871ddb5 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=f5698ca3e293cf27104b4ad02fe25ead 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F6.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=e32ac5bfba56fe99c640d5f200bfe6e4 1024w)
Tod Bloxkham photo
Amy is in great shape and wanted a destination based ski tour that would challenge her, so we opted for the full loop around to the north side via Union Pass and the Pacific Crest Trail; we could then work on her technical ski touring in the forest, trail and steeper slopes going over the ridge to Jove’s north slope. The early season snowpack added to our technical learning with many opportunities to negotiate boulders and small fir trees that are normally covered in snow. The perfect storm for learning.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=b53b951e2c83cc307bd802e229776e78 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=719e67c1b0939db30841b4c34e729ac3 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=1d10f4f4a08d3c49a0372f3090e5c72c 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=dc199ee00b0eac82303885ce138ca04c 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=f5f507d35357e8cdbd1df6b7d16f94b3 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=fda5babc032b4a1ebd82661e7419fc4e 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=06f7b64e70358271f6a3ce5f986fd940 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=7fbd0b96c742b4c70bd5e783f7621a72 1024w)
Tod Bloxham photo
The full tour is definitely a challenge, 12.5 miles and 3900’ of skiing in all with many opportunities for “Type II Fun”, but Amy was up for it. As we left the forest below and neared the summit the wilderness views of the Monte Cristo group, Sloan Peak and Glacier Peak blew us away; from Jove the views into the North Cascades make this tour a special place. Our plan also took advantage of the sun warming the south face so we could enjoy snow made soft and perfect for carving turns.
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=e9039689980af88eba60365ff2db9f99 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=3619596faadba4202d465732a620fc17 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=bf0c61656c4165e10f8d0e847057b041 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=f8306f43bda2560775ba27f0a4072726 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=5c4f73be76d3a32245f97556212117ae 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=673c5160e0ac1a365055bf52f9247902 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=c57cb6b4568eacbffe3eb4fa5b6ca5cd 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F5.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=5b40001fe83c4ebb3d731733db54aa4b 1024w)
Tod Bloxham photo
Amy and I had much discussion as to whether this tour was Type I Fun or Type II Fun; Amy settled on Type I+. I think she is going to do just fine on Denali.
The Fun Scale:
Type I Fun – true fun, enjoyable while it’s happening.
Type II Fun – fun only in retrospect, hateful while it’s happening.
Type III Fun – not fun at all, not even in retrospect. As in, “What the hell was I thinking?
~ MM Guide Tod Bloxham
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=fb26448c595ed21afe69fc54b06d9cb5 300w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=a5077371da3e1a93f92150d0a96d2ba9 500w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=789c3fdffaed6751bc53130e2c3aad0f 700w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=3bf61a3beb916a8072dcc29fec80486f 800w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=6797703daaaec3b20f7718c962a76296 1000w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=f2e83b0d1232372153435d22872777cc 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=61d10d617aadf159289efe057654b1c3 1024w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fblog%2F2b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=32483f30deb3195641fcb9dd67d3959f 1024w)
Still Smiling! Tod Bloxham photo