May 11-13, 2013: Ski from Moab: PreLaurel Peak; Tuk / Tuk-No Basin

On May 11, 2013, I skied solo to the top of PreLaurel, and then down the SW side. For the climb I stayed on the main Gold Basin trail for quite a way, and then cut up the west side gully on PreLaurel. This was icy in spots, so I booted, since I forgot my ski crampons. Worse, I did not have a pack that would carry skis, and so held one in each hand. But I topped out at last on the main north ridge at about 11350’, and then easily skinned to the summit. The descent was in excellent corn. Five hours total. The shot below shows Mellenthin in back and PreLaurel (snow bump on left) and Laurel (right). My ascent gully was the Y-gully at far left. Descent by the trees that, in the image, are under main summit of Mellenthin.

On May 13, Elke Dratch and I headed to Tuk No, but it was too slushy to ski. No overnight freeze, 91° in Moab. So we skied in the basin up to 11400. Slushy to start, but excellent corn farther down..

The view from PreLaurel on May 11, 2013. Conditions just about the same as on March 26, 2011.