Barb

Took a picture of the cirque (which is closed) for @GrilledSteezeSandwich today at Snowmass me Natalie when our legs were tired we went over to Elk camp to check that out. Mellow terrain, lots to explore and softened up snow. It was 43 degrees when we left. Think my lips got sunburned today.

Haha ok I was thinking damn I need to step up my uphill pace a lot.

Dam you guys are fast! Does that include your transition to down hill (skins off) too?

First clear sunrise here in a while

I have some friends coming next weekend so maybe we will explore more.

I assume you mean the cirque, this area I have not done it. I have not even explored a fraction of Snowmass yet, it’s huge.

*real time report for Doug 💙 My neighbor told me about a closer in parking lot at Snowmass. Since it’s a holiday weekend and I was cutting it close w time, I got one of the last spaces, woohoo! Got to the Village Express lot about 9:10 after the bus and walking thru the mall. we have had some snow! Everything is ungroomed and chopped up or bumped. As seems to be my habit now, I went right over to Big Burn lift. On the way there (all ungroomed chop) girl is straight lining totally out of control and came within inches of taking me out. Started out on Sneaky’s. Here is a pic from the top for @Johnny Law Ran the Powerline Glades a few times off here. Nothing like Created Butte trees. Very well spaced. Lots of powder in there. Scarfed down a mahi sandwich and some M &M’s the mahi was not great. Would not get again. not sure how much longer I will last. Legs getting tired from the bumps and chop. Crowds are amazing for a holiday weekend. Singles line is 5-6 min. I need to find some down hill ski ladies here to hang with. Skiing alone gets a bit boring. But overall 10/10 day here at Snowmass.

$12.75. She asked if I wanted toppings and I just said to load me up. It was pretty good but I admit I couldn’t finish it. 😂

Had to take Shannon to the airport so figured I would do a quick uphill lap at Buttermilk. It’s 33 degrees and full sunshine. Needless to say I am a sweaty mess. Decided to try and eat a day’s worth of calories in one sitting.

Forgot to mention the parking situation. Plow trucks didn’t really plow the area. All 12 of us had to dig out some spots, took a while. Then we had to park like Tetris so we all fit. One girl got pretty stuck and 4 of us had to push her out. Morning of departure I got really stuck as someone not w our group pulled in and left me very little space to get out. I cut it too hard and dug my wheel into a snow bank. Luckily a snowmobiling bro was kind enough to pull me out w a tow strap. jammed in parking and one dead battery.

Edit not 100cm of snow. I was looking at my pole. I think probably 9-10”.

Whew, just finished up a hut based AIARE 2 course ( the last in the series). I learned so much and all the snow science is really fascinating. Prior to this course I only used the CAIC website as a resource. I realize now that there are so many factors to look at and consider. I also have learned that there are ways to mitigate exposure even on higher avalanche days. Red Mountain Pass was closed for about 40 hours from the storm. So the first day we did companion rescue practice in a meadow behind the town of Silverton. At a certain point in the beacon rescue you have to get out of your skis. Postholing to mid thigh every rescue was really exhausting. We were finally able to get up to the hut that evening. Day 2 was a light tour and mostly digging pits. Day 3 was definitley a “full value” day. We toured into US Basin. The weather was sort of sunny to start then got stormy. We observed some remote triggered smaller avalanches from a distance. We mapped out a tour plan from Cal Topo and set a track in virgin snow to get there. Roughly 100cm. The ski down was very fun. Had to transition to skins at the end which is always somewhat annoying. today was a day of just fun touring as we officially met the requirements of the class yesterday and requested to just take off. We are both dead tired. High altitude sleeping, bad eating due to low appetite poor sleep and I have had enough. Currently at Ouray brewery waiting for my giant burger.

Nice!

I agree that the tires and Jeep overall is sloppy in snow. I have studded snow tires on it. Hakkapellitta LT3’s. With the tires and in 4H it handles pretty well.

Oh Shadows…..

Getting another big storm. I have an avalanche class in Silverton that starts Thursday morning. We planned to drive here the day before. But the storm is rolling in now and tomorrow is going to be heavy. So we made the executive decision to come to Silverton today and stay an extra day. Once we got to Ouray, we could see the hell we would be driving into. Red mountain pass is not one of my favorites to drive on a clear sunny day. At the top and all the way down into Silverton we were in a white out pretty much. Glad we made it. Just got word that Red mountain pass AND Molas pass from the Durango side will close at 10pm tonight with no time listed for reopening. So not sure what will even happen with this class. Forecast says 1-3 feet by Thursday morning. Towards the bottom of the pass heading into Silverton.

@Johnny Law I think WP is owned by Alterra now but used to be owned by the city of Denver

Wow! Just read Alterra in a buying Arapahoe basin. I don’t really ski there much but my oldest loves that mountain. in other news I see Jackson Hole is staying independent and selling to a local family.

7” overnight. 8 humans and 6 dogs. This morning was fun.

Have to get the bibs with an easy zipper for bathroom breaks. Mine have a hidden zipper across the backside.

After a week of flat light the sun finally emerged today! When I took my dog for a pre sunrise walk and saw the bright full moon I was like, oooh a chance for no clouds today! my friend slept in and I sent her a text I was leaving. Got there right at 9 no lift lines to speak of. It was very chilly this morning. Headed right down to East River and it was so icy. So went back to Paradise, that was better. Then scoped out my usual smaller bump areas. Only one shot today. I think this is Middle Twister not positive though.

Years ago I took a class thru one of the state parks in the Poconos. I am sure there are places that offer cheap intro classes for you to try it. You can get a setup pretty cheap, especially used. Don’t let your husband’s lack of enthusiasm stop you. I say try it! A quick search showed free lessons at this state park. Trail pass $15 https://paccsa.org/paccsa-ski-lessons

My skis are fat and don’t fit in the track. I will say that you lose energy transfer outside of the track as the skis naturally go sideways a bit. When in a track all that energy is just propelled forward. But yes, it’s a great area. I will be here most of the week and will try to hit it daily. Just a good bit of cardio.

How did I not know that Crested Butte had a free Nordic section all these years? There is an elaborate trail system you have to buy a pass for but there are a few free loops. Went to the resort this morning to extremely flat light. I took exactly one run and decided to leave. I hate that my stupid old eyes just can’t see, just not worth it. So left and got my XC set up and my friend and I did a lap on the “poop loop” which is the dog friendly loop. Fingers crossed visibility is better tomorrow.

Again good info!! Looking at the map again I did not do Sneaky’w but the one next to it, Max Gulch or some thing. Will have to try it next time