This is what it looks like to ski from 8,201 meters! It doesn't look that bad... But it was quite challenging! Tied for most challenging were snow surface and hauling the ski gear to the top. At 8000 meters every once counts and skiing adds a whole lot of ounces. Skis alone add at least 7 pounds (we carried real skis, not tiny ski mo skis) and leaving options open for descent lines I carried a lot of gear for crevasse rescue and rappelling anchors. As for the snow surface, in general we had a good snow season. Lots of consistent small storms without huge wind... At least right until our summit push. Just before we went up, a sizable and windy storm striped the upper slopes of the mountain and left a wind pressed and variable surface. You can't count on good snow quality at these elevations, but we were able to get a few good turns and there wasn't much dangerously firm snow. I skied from the top, arm wrapping the fixed lines through the yellow band and sticking close to @Brooks.entwistle my ski client. When we reached Camp 3 (24,300') we skied some great quality turns together to Camp 2 where we met @adrianballinger and @emilyaharrington. My skis stayed on until Camp 1, with a rope length rappel over the ice cliff. What a fun #ππ descent! Psyched to be on the #8000mskiteam! @AlpenglowExpeditions #RapidAscent #ski8000 #chooyu2016 (at Lhasa Gang-Gyan Hotel)
