Day 4 of backcountry ski trip with Bell Lake Yurt guides Drew & Spencer. Part of a huge day ski traversing the northern Tobacco Roots. After skiing down Granite Peak we wolfed down a quick lunch in the South Willow Creek valley before skinning a few miles to the start of a seering hot 2500 vert skin up Horse Mountain. For a big portion of the climb we followed an old mining road as it slowly switchbacked its way up the lower south slopes. We took quick water breaks in small patches of shade until we burst out above all trees and took a more aggressive line to the summit. In a few spots the breeze picked up, but at the top it was a dead, baking calm. I almost finished my water here — thank god I didn’t. Didn’t realize how much was still yet to come in this mammoth day…