Author:

Frank

New Year on Richmond 1.1.12

Posted by Frank – January 5, 2012

It’s been a long time since I posted anything, mostly because I haven’t been in the mountains much the past month or so. Since the skiing wasn’t very good in December, I took a small job in Denver, and followed that up with family Christmas visits. Surely the skiing would be better by the time I got back around New Year’s, I thought. Sadly, the skiing went from bad to worse as December wore on. Crested Butte, like much of the West from Utah to California, is in the midst of an extremely dry winter. Certainly the worst I’ve seen here since my arrival in 1996. Don’t be surprised when I do a bike trip report- sadly the biking is excellent right now.

In any case, Brittany and I will keep trying our best to keep the faith and have fun with what little snow we have. So rather than party hard on New Year’s eve, we stayed in and were joined by our friends Ben and Jonathan on a tour up Richmond. In addition to the lack of snow, we’ve also had a steady diet of strong winds, so rather than attempt to seek out powder, we were actually hoping for smooth wind buffed snow. We found some, as well as punchy crusts and scree-covered snow. The conditions weren’t all that surprising, but what may have been surprising was how much fun we still had despite it all. On with some photos…

Skinning:
Photobucket

Photobucket

READ MORE

2nd Annual Ski-Related Gift Guide

Posted by Frank – December 10, 2011

Last year, we posted a last-minute gift guide for skiers. So, without further explanation, here’s the 2011 version of some of 14erskiers’ favorite ski gear.

Brittany’s Top 5 List:

1) A Buff – I carry a Buff with me every time I go backcountry skiing. The Buff has become a permanent fixture in my backcountry ski pack. Those who have tried a Buff, will generally rave about it. Put me in that praising category. The Buff can be worn in many different ways- converting from a face mask to a hat, to a helmet skull cap, to a “doo-rag”. It’s a multifunctional piece of clothing essential for every backcountry skier. I’ve even used it to tie the tips of my skis together when I’ve lost my ski strap!

2) Merino Wool Long Underwear tops – After spending a couple of years working in a backcountry shop, I’ve been converted. Highly moisture-wicking, warm when you want it to be warm and cool when you want it to be cool, new Merino wool blends provide some of the best fabric for baselayers. Plus, it doesn’t hold the stink like so many of the synthetic baselayers do! My preferences – Icebreaker or Smartwool.

3) Gordini Fuse Gloves – I’m critical about my gloves. I have the classic “cold fingers” syndrome. My hands never seem to stay warm enough- enough that I often sport mittens. Still, the Fuse gloves rival any mitten I own. Warm, moisture-wicking, and highly durable, my Fuse gloves have suffered a season of Brittany-abuse unscathed- which is nearly unheard of. (Frank’s note- I use these gloves as well- top notch)

4) Smartwool PhD socks – My feet sweat- a lot. It’s a gross practice, but my body simply can’t help it. Thankfully, my Smartwool socks keep my feet nice and warm even with all that moisture and help to guard against the dreaded sweat-foot stench. The PhD socks are padded in all the right places necessary for a backcountry skier, helping prevent against blisters on those long touring days.

5) Glop Stopper – Among every backcountry skiers nightmare are skins glopping with snow. Many can attest that glopping skins have ruined ski days. Worst yet, it seems unpredictable. I’ve had my skins glop during all times of the year. Glop stopper can the rescue in scenarios like this. It’s a must-have in every BC skiers backpack.

Frank’s Top 5:
1) GU brand energy gels – I love gels, and GU makes the best. Quick easy energy, easy to digest, tasty, and they don’t freeze and break your teeth like energy bars can in the winter.

2) BCA Float 36 Airbag Pack – Yeah, I know- a gift in this price range is almost as ridiculous as those “Lexus with a bow in the driveway” ads. But nothing says “I want to see you come home safe” like an airbag pack. See our review.

3) GoPro POV Camera – Sometimes it seems as though everyone on the mountain has sprouted one of these “teletubby” helmet cams, and they’re a little silly in some ways. But more than anything, they’re just FUN. I look forward to re-watching my footage when I’m an old, old man. The GoPro is my choice for POV cams since it has a wide range of mounting options…

4) Altimeter Watch – Just how big (or small) was that face you just skied? How much faster did those Carbon boots and tights make you on your dawn patrol? Why did that 10 mile bike ride take so long- must have been a lot of vert, right? Where are we on this topo map? The answer to all these questions and more can be found with an altimeter watch. This one is nice and affordable:

5) Nikwax Leather Protectant – Leather gloves and boots last longer and stay waterproof with a little love and care. Try this:

There’s our list for this year. By all means, if any of you have a great gift idea, leave a comment- we’re not done with our shopping either! And if you’re still stumped, there’s always a gift certificate from Backcountry.com:

When There’s No Snow, There’s Ice: Silverton Ice Climbing 12.2.11

Posted by Frank – December 6, 2011

The silver lining during a mediocre early season? The ice is usually as good as it gets during a dry year. Climbing ice is something I really enjoy, but I tend to blow it off for pow turns. The way things are going this season, however, ice might just have to become my activity of choice.

I gave Ethan Passant a call and we decided a trip down to Silverton was in order, which boasts a number of long, beautiful, natural routes. The ice park in Ouray is fun, but I’ll take long moderates like these any day of the week. The ice was in, the avalanche danger from above was minimal due to the lack of snow (not the case anymore), and the temps were perfect. Stairway to Heaven (WI4, 280m) was day one’s objective:
Photobucket

A quick hike got us to the base of the route and Ethan began leading up the first pitch.
Photobucket

This was my first time using modern leashless tools (Ethan has an extra set), and like fat skis or full suspension, they change the game and make things a lot easier. We had the route to ourselves, although there were several other groups in the valley.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Climbing is such a mental game compared to my normal activities like biking and skiing. Especially on the dead vertical 3rd pitch, there were times when doubt crept in and I thought “I can’t do this, this is way above my head”. But then I tried anyway and I made it- that sense of overcoming adversity is sky-high when it comes to climbing. It takes challenging oneself to a level that skiing and biking just can’t match, at least for me. Which isn’t to say that I prefer climbing by any stretch, only that the mental experience is a lot different.

We had to skip the last pitch- after driving from Crested Butte that morning, we simply didn’t have the time to complete the route. We still ended up rapping in the dark:
Photobucket

Read more

Crystal Peak 11.30.11

Posted by Frank – December 5, 2011

From Mouse House Ridge, Zach and I spotted an aesthetic line on 12,632′ Crystal Peak, just a little to our West. We made plans to check out the area on the following day, and it turned out to be a great tour, my favorite thus far in ’11-’12. From the summit, we had some of the most impressive views of any Elk range peak I’ve been on, and I’ve been on a few.

Heading towards the saddle between Treasury and Crystal:
Photobucket

Climbing Crystal from the saddle was a lot of fun despite some wind and even had a nice short scrambling section:
Photobucket

Photobucket

Read more

Mouse House Ridge 11.29.11

Posted by Frank – November 30, 2011

When the pickings are slim, the slim start picking new lines. Or something like that. Typical thin early season conditions, combined with a lot of wind, have made for some rough conditions, both for skiing and avalanche stability, all over Colorado. The few sheltered areas that are easily accessible and have enough snow to ski are getting skied with regularity, further limiting the options. So, rather than follow the herd, Zach, Adrienne, Scott and I ended up picking a zone that looked safe and different from the norm. It ended up being a great tour, despite the variable conditions.

Treasury:
Photobucket

The gang with Capitol and Snowmass in the background:
Photobucket

The Mouse House, as it is sometimes called:
Photobucket

Zach got a great shot of me dropping in:
Photobucket

Read more

Thanksgiving Dawn Patrol: Butler Gulch 11.24.11

Posted by Frank – November 29, 2011

While visiting family on the Front Range, we were invited to make a few early morning turns up at Butler Gulch before the big Turkey Day festivities. We were thankful to get the chance to ski with friends and surprisingly found some decent snow despite the fairly dry weather.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

2011/2012: Year of the Airbag. BCA Float 36 Review

Posted by Frank – November 25, 2011

This season seems to be the one when critical mass has been achieved with the use of airbag backpacks here in North America. No longer a strange curiosity occasionally seen on a backcountry skier returning from Europe, backcountry users are now embracing the technology in increasing numbers as prices and availability have gone up. Before we get to our review of the BCA Float 36, let’s hear the case for airbags.

Most of the airbag research thus far has been conducted in Europe, where big open alpine faces provide a perfect place for airbag deployment. Here in North America, where backcountry skiing often takes place in treed areas, the results of airbag use will surely be different than in Europe. Still, the statistics from Europe are quite convincing. Between 1990 and 2007, of 151 skiers wearing an airbag (specifically ABS), only 3 people were completely buried without part of the airbag still showing. There were only 2 fatalities. Those numbers would be far worse without the airbags. Check this LINK.

Even if you ARE buried with an airbag pack, two things are likely to help your survival. First, some part of your airbag is probably above the surface, even if you aren’t, so your partners won’t even need to search for you with their beacons- they will simply ski straight to you, saving you a couple minutes or more of search time. Second, you probably aren’t buried as deeply as you would have been without the airbag, greatly reducing your burial time. Even an experienced group may have trouble finding and digging out a deeply buried victim in less than 15 minutes, given how long it takes to dig through concrete-like avalanche debris.

Trauma will remain a big concern for avalanche victims, and it is unclear if airbags will help with that aspect at all. Still, one has to think that a big poofy airbag, situated by your head and neck, will at least help a little. Also, since it tends to keep victims above the moving debris rather than sucked down in it, trauma will likely be minimized.

However, even with an airbag pack, the best thing to do remains not to get in an avalanche. Anyone who has had a uncomfortably close look at a big avalanche knows that serious injuries are a real threat with or without airbags. For those of us who ski in the backcountry on a regular basis, the odds say that you’ll eventually make a mistake and be involved in an avalanche. So, the choices are not to ski, only ski on slopes less than 25 degrees, or try to make good decisions and try to stack the odds in your favor.

Therefore, Brittany and I will both be skiing with BCA Float 36 backpacks this season. At $785 MSRP, they’re not cheap (although they are cheaper than most airbag packs, many of which are over $1,000). And at a reported 7.7 pounds, they’re certainly not light either (a typical non-airbag pack of the same size is probably around 2.5lbs). After a half dozen ski trips with our new packs so far, here’s our take on the Float 36.

Float 36 Review:

First off, it is heavy. You won’t pick it up without noticing that. Thankfully, however, the engineers at BCA have done a terrific job of designing the pack in a way that makes the weight less noticeable. After all, 20lbs in a cheap school backpack won’t carry as well as 20lbs in a nice ski pack. The “guts” of the pack are tight against the back, where the weight isn’t as noticeable once the pack is on.
Photobucket

The main compartment is huge and can be opened nearly completely, making it easier to dry out at home or stuff a big jacket in there. Meanwhile, there is a pocket for the shovel blade (My BCA Companion shovel is the biggest you’ll get in there), and side pockets for the handle and probe. Water bladders can go behind the shovel blade where my hand is:
Photobucket

Hose routing for water bladders is a bit of an issue, so Brittany was forced to make a small cut to allow the hose routing from the main compartment to the shoulder strap access point (I don’t use bladders, so a non-issue for me). One more inside pocket, which I’ve been using for snacks:
Photobucket

The main compartment can also be accessed by a small access panel in the back of the pack, making it user-friendly for things I grab often, like water.
Photobucket

Fleece lined goggle pocket on top of the pack:
Photobucket

Read more

38 and counting… 11.20.11

Posted by Frank – November 20, 2011

Arggh, another year older. Thankfully I got to ring in another year with some good friends and some good skiing. I was joined by Brittany, Mike, Adrienne, and Zach and we found conditions which weren’t quite as deep as the day before, but still pretty decent by November standards. Despite some Southwest winds which sent temps spiking and my skins glopping, we had a great time:
Frank:
Photobucket

Photobucket

Mike:
Photobucket

Adrienne:
Photobucket

Brittany:
Photobucket

Photobucket

Purple Palace 11-18-11

Posted by Frank – November 18, 2011

Despite my previous post, I actually do like to get out and get a little fresh air from time to time. Zach, Adrian, Mike and I headed out Slate River to check things out. This time, we managed to avoid any driving shenanigans by skipping straight to the sleds. For those of you wondering, trucks are currently coming up about a mile short of Pittsburg.

On to the photos…
Photobucket

Mineral Point always looks amazing from here.
Photobucket

Adrian dropping in…
Photobucket

Read more

Thoughts On Early Season

Posted by Frank – November 17, 2011

I hate early season. There, I said it. Sure, I’m sometimes accused of being a hater in general, but hear me out.

Take today, which consisted of an aborted attempt to go skiing. As is often the case during early season, we were making our way up a sketchy snow covered road trying to get close enough to the deeper snowpack area to make it worthwhile. My “past their prime” tires failed me and next thing I know, we’ve got a junkshow of the first order trying to turn around the truck and the trailer on a hill. I didn’t even get any GNAR points by getting stuck over a cliff or sliding uncontrollably backwards, two things which I’ve done in the past. At least my back hurts from muscling trailers around.

Another fun game to play during early season is “thrash your snowmobile”. Nothing like breaking an A arm hitting a rock under a few inches of snow. Or driving on prolonged stretches of dirt until your sled overheats, as a friend of mine recently did. Good times.

Then there’s the early season hazards. Another friend of mine had an entirely too close for comfort run-in with a buried log down at Wolf Creek a couple of weeks ago. Twenty-something stitches later and a brand new pair of Flylow pants cut off by the medics, and he’s still waiting for his next chance to ski.

Finally, let’s talk about avalanches. Take a little bit of snow in October, let it rot out, then add some storms in November and you’ve got some of the worst conditions you’re likely to see all year long. And for the most part, the places you can actually ski are the ones with the biggest consequences. Known trigger points like rocks and shrubs are barely covered up, meaning a skier can trigger them quite easily- much more so than later in the year when they’re under a few feet of snow. If you do get caught by a slide, you’re going to get dragged through rocks and stumps since there simply isn’t much snow covering up those hazards.

Yep, I’d like to be on a beach every year in November. And I hate beaches. ‘Cause I’m a hater…