Category: Crested Butte

The Wonderful Wedding (18 June 2011)

Posted by Brittany – June 24, 2011

Some girls grow up dreaming and planning their wedding day. I didn’t. When Frank proposed to me the previous May, I had very little idea of what our wedding should look like. But, maybe that’s the best way. Through the course of a year, Frank and I developed our wedding- with our own style, our own importance, and our own hands. And when it came time for the actual wedding day, things took their own course. And there Frank and I suddenly found ourselves, characters in our own fairy tale wedding.

We are still waiting on pictures from our photographer, Tom Stillo. But, I wanted to do a blog on our wedding before we leave for our honeymoon in just a few days. Thus, I am thankful for the photos contributed by friends and family that you will see here.

Our wedding was at the Club at Crested Butte. Yes, the “Club” is a golf course. But, the venue is perfect for a wedding like ours. We wanted a outdoor wedding followed by a largely indoor reception. With stunning views on all sides and a rustic yet classy interior, the Club suited our needs to a tee.

The Wedding Ceremony

Guests arriving.
Photobucket

Hennie played music as our guests began to arrive, and played for our procession as well. Our procession song was All I Want Is You by Barry Louis Polisar.
Photobucket
Photo courtesy of Kim Ross

Frank waiting with his best man, Ben, and our officiant, Lou Dawson.
Photobucket
Photo courtesy of Amy Bosak

Read more

Ski With The Bride (18 June 2011)

Posted by Brittany – June 23, 2011

Skiing is my means of escape. Many of you know that already. But, many of you don’t know to what extent I’ll seek that escape. Like the morning of my wedding. Instead of stressing about last minute decorations and getting my nails done, I went skiing. I invited any girl that I thought would be interested in joining. In the end, there was still just a small troop of seven- many of whom had joined me on my bachelorette outing last month. But, for a little group, we had a lot of fun :)

We began by meeting around 7:30 in the parking lot of my building and all piling into Ann’s truck for the short drive to the ski area. Headwall was our goal. Sonya, Gerlinde, Susan, Me, Pam, Kim.
Photobucket
Photo courtesy of Ann Driggers

The snow has been gradually melting. As a result, we had to hike about 15 minutes on a dirt road until we reached the snow.
Photobucket
Photo courtesy of Ann Driggers

Read more

Day-Before-Wedding-Ski: White Rock (17 June 2011)

Posted by Brittany – June 22, 2011

The day before their wedding, most couples probably choose to prepare some last minute details for their wedding. While Frank and I certainly had last minute details that needed to be taken care of, we decided to escape the wedding mayhem and spend time with some of our best friends in the mountains, taking them to the peak where Frank proposed to me in May 2010- White Rock.

Through the night, it had rained and we were a bit concerned what we would find. Still, Frank and I believed that the snow had transitioned to a summer snowpack and that the rain would have little effect on its stability. We gathered at the Judd Falls trailhead and began hiking around 6 am. From left to right: Frank, Jon, Me, Jen, Jonathan, Jeremy, and Kim.
Photobucket
Photo courtesy of Matt Kamper

Less than an hour in we came across the Copper Creek crossing. In past years, there has been a log there to assist in the crossing. But, the log is no more. The creek was raging, and we all battled a deep and strong current as we crossed. Kim shows it best.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Read more

Another check off the list – Cassi

Posted by Brittany – June 15, 2011

Last week, Frank and I headed out for a rather ambitious adventure. Our goal was to ski Goldentops and then make our way over to Precarious. Precarious has been on my wish list for quite some time. But, as our day proceeded and we reached the top of Goldentops, we realized that Precarious just wasn’t going to happen. There simply wasn’t enough time and we were worried about the quickly warming snow. Instead, we set our sights on the closer Cassi, also on my wish list. This peak had several options for us, so we could pick and choose what we desired based on our analysis of the snow. As luck would have it, our first line choice, though south-facing, was prime corn as we dropped in at 12:30. Read Frank’s trip report here.

A view of our line off of Cassi, as seen from Goldentops.

TR: Headwall Happiness

Posted by Brittany – June 6, 2011

This spring has been unreal. The calendar says it’s spring, but most of our “spring” felt like winter. Storm after storm bombarded our weather and our small mountain town. Though frustrating at times because it was hard to venture into the high country, I can’t complain about the snow. I’ll take it, and I’ll assume it’s Mother Nature’s wedding gift to us :)

The snow has been slow to melt. I would estimate we are about 3 weeks behind recent snow melt levels. Because of this, I’ve been able to continue to easily do after work laps at the ski area.

The ski area on the last day of May.
Photobucket

Runs on the front side of the ski area are interrupted by plowed roads. But, head to the backside, and you’ll find perfect icing on cake. A lap on the Headwall can easily be done in two hours if you park at the ski area boundary on Prospect. Frank and I have taken advantage of this easy access and great skiing a few different times in the last couple of weeks.

May 25
Frank making his way on the road. After parking at the top of Prospect, there is a 5 minute walk on the road to the Teocalli lift.
Photobucket

The Headwall in the distance. It looks better than it does during the heart of the ski season!
Photobucket

Read more

Adventures on Axtell

Posted by Brittany – May 24, 2011

Axtell is a favorite backcountry ski spot here in Crested Butte. Not only is the access close and easy, but laps are fairly quick for the vert skied. Since this peak lies within and below treeline, Axtell also provides excellent skiing during low-visibility or flat-light. With storm after storm pounding us with snow this spring we’ve found ourselves skiing on Axtell several times the last couple of months. Below are some pictures from a few of our many recent adventures there.

April 9th – After work ski
The easy access to Axtell makes it perfect place to grab a quick ski lap after work. Frank and I have been milking the goods in the evenings with the longer spring days and continuous powder refreshes.

What a view!
Photobucket

I was just at work a couple of hours ago? Really?
Photobucket

Photobucket

Frank dropping in to the deep white.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Read more

TR: Ruby Chute (7 May 2011)

Posted by Brittany – May 16, 2011

Ruby Peak, specifically the east facing Ruby chute, has been on my wish list for a few years now.
Photobucket

Tired after a day on Pyramid followed by a day on Sopris, a nice short line like this seemed like a perfect option. We left from Kebler Pass on our sleds around 7:30. Warm temperatures were getting the better of the snowpack and we were concerned about hitting this east facing line too late. So, we used the sleds to our advantage to come within just a few hundred feet of the summit, with the intention of skinning up later to retrieve them.

Frank making his way to the northern ridge off of Ruby.
Photobucket

In about 20 minutes, we reached the summit.
Photobucket

Owen always looks so impressive.
Photobucket

Read more

Another one checked off the list

Posted by Brittany – April 21, 2011

Earlier this week I posted a new list of lines/peaks that I hope to climb and ski. A ski mountaineers wish list is in a constant state of flux. And it seems like as soon as I check one off, I add two or three more on. Well, last Friday, I was able to check another one off the list. Frank and I headed out with our friends Pete and Josh to tackle a new line for us on the north side of Teocalli.

We skied the center line right from the summit.

Here’s a few teaser pics, but check out the full TR on Franks blog :)

Belated TR: Green Lake Chutes (19 Mar 2011)

Posted by Brittany – April 19, 2011

Our friend Dave was in town and we wanted to show him some goods. Unfortunately, what looked like a blue-bird day quickly turned greybird. Our plans to ski Purple were thwarted by low visibility. So, we changed plans and headed to lower terrain- the Green Lake Chutes.

Frank and Dave parked on the saddle.
Photobucket

Looking at our playground.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Read more

Updated Wish List

Posted by Brittany – April 18, 2011

It’s good to have goals. Goals in all aspects of your life give you something to look forward to. When you feel like you have lost your way, you can revisit your goals. They can help keep you on the right path.

Most of you are aware of my goal to ski all of Colorado’s 14ers. I have been working toward this goal since April 2006. With only two more fourteeners remaining- Pyramid and Pikes Peak- I hope to finish this goal this year. But, Mother Nature has to be cooperative. Pyramid is a serious line with serious consequences. I have to be patient and wait for the right conditions- for both avalanche and weather. Sure, I have skied Capitol, the hardest Colorado fourteener climb/ski. But, Pyramid still looms over my head. I’ve tried it twice and hope “the third time is the charm”. I’ve been lucky in my fourteener attempts. I have not had to go for any more than twice, except for Pyramid. Pyramid is my nemesis. Yet, I’m really excited to ski it. Those of you who are anxiously waiting- believe me, I’m more anxious. The way I see it, I’ll either ski both Pyramid and Pikes this year, or neither. It’s up to Mother Nature really. And my patience.

But, the fourteeners aren’t my only ski goal. In February, 2009, I created a wish list of other things I wanted to ski. Due to tearing my ACL, none got checked off the list in 2009. But, since then, I’ve successfully tackled six of the peaks on my list. With this in mind, I decided that it was time to revisit my wish list- time for an update. This update has two parts- 1) a reflection of what I’ve done and 2) what I still want to do.

All photos by Frank or Brittany unless otherwise specified

The ones I’ve crossed off my list since 2009 include….

1) Owen (tallest in photo) and 2) Purple Peak (in front, to the right of Owen)
Photobucket

3) Teocalli
Photobucket

We skied the west face:

Read more