8.5 miles 8 hours: Sick tour to Girls Mtn, rode 3000' down its north face to Worthington Glacier! Climbed back up the glacier avoiding crevasses, spooky at times, then rode 3000' back down to the car! This one was one for the books:)

Climbed the blue line to the summit of Girls Mtn (@1) rode 3000' down to Worthington Glacier , Climbed back up the glacier to (2), then rode the yellow line 2500' back down to the car

Leaving the clouded valley floor behind

The Python seen at pictures center we skied back on DAY 3

The summit push, about 45 degrees, took a few. See the road, our car is down there somewhere!

The final push around the summit cornice

Worthington Glacier resides down below, thats 3000' vertical bliss to be had

Part of the glacier field we navigated to climb back out of Worthington Glacier Field

Looking back at the last 1000' or so of out run

Finally done with the glacier field time to breath and enjoy 3000' vert back to the car

I was once asked if there was good backcountry skiing in New Mexico...Well there is actually, you just have to be willing to work for it. Santa Fe Baldy, which is located at the southern tip of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and is the nineteenth highest ranked peak in New Mexico. It has good east and southeast facing slopes with several interesting steep chutes. Our total roundtrip distance was ~11.1 miles with a total elevation climbed/skied of ~3006'. Our car-to-car time was 9 hours.

Although the approach is approx 6 miles via the windsor trail, the first 2 miles are slightly down hill allowing for quick travel. The majority of elevation gain is saved for the final push. Since Baldy is the areas highest peak, you can bet on winds. Favoring the ridge proper can protect you slightly from the W/NW winds. Beware of the significant cornices which develop along most of the approach ridge.

There are 2 prominent east facing chutes prior to reaching Santa Fe Baldy's summit, each providing approx 1000' vertical, and averaging slope angles at approx 38 degrees.

Exiting the basin

is quick with little elevation gain.