Brittany Walker Konsella

April 13, 2019 Brittany Walker Konsella

TR: Mount Powell Ski (8 April 2019)

Mount Powell is named after John Wesley Powell, the same explorer what Lake Powell is named after, who summited the peak way back in 1868. At 13,596 feet, Mount Powell is the highest peak in the Gore Range and barely makes the cut-off as a Bicentennial Summit in Colorado, ranking at 198th. Still, from certain aspects, and even for a short glimpse on I-70, Powell is inspiring and the multiple aspects allowing for ski descents have caught my attention for years. I’d stood just beneath it on our way to ski CC Rider Couloir on Peak C a few years back and it had been beckoning me back. But, getting there is a chore. Either you wait until Red Sandstone Road to Piney Lake is open to drive, or you go earlier and make the 8-mile journey to the lake via a snowmobile. The main problem with using a snowmobile is that by the time the snowpack has reached a more stable state in spring, the road is often partially melted out and gated from the bottom. You’d have to ride a long ways on dirt. But, not this year. Colorado has been rewarded with snow and Red Sandstone Road showed no signs of dirt, except for the first 100 feet. Mount Powell was calling louder than ever.

March 24, 2019 Brittany Walker Konsella

TR: Garmisch-Partenkirchen & Marienberg Ski Tour (Feb 2019)

After flying direct from Denver to Munich, we were jet-lagged. So, rather than pushing for a little further destination, we decided to start our first tour (the day after arriving into Germany) close to Garmisch – in the mountains of Tirol just over the Austrian border. We drove to the town of Biberwier and began our tour from Marienberg Ski Area. Our plan was to circumnavigate the massif whose highest peak is Grunstein (2663 m). We took three lifts for a bump in elevation (ski touring tickets are cheap).

Backcountry Skiing

February 12, 2019 Brittany Walker Konsella

5 Apps That Every Backcountry Skier or Snowboarder Should Use

In the last decade, backcountry skiing has really evolved. Changes in equipment allow us to travel more efficiently and have more fun, permitting more and more of us to explore areas further away. Similarly, the knowledge-base of the digital world has given us easy methods for research and planning. Whether you are a veteran or new to the sport of backcountry skiing, mobile apps have become essential tools to help in planning for outdoor adventures.

Below is a list of apps that every backcountry skier should use. We use each of these on a regular basis to help in planning and navigating our way while backcountry skiing.

Backcountry Skiing Crested Butte

January 17, 2019 Brittany Walker Konsella

TBT: Powder Stoke

As I write this, we are between storms. Yesterday we woke up to a handful of inches of powder and the snow continued all day long. This afternoon, another burst will bring moisture that will last through Friday. The snow this season has been a welcome change compared to the dry winter of last. Most skiers will say last ski season was downright depressing in our neck of the woods. Admittedly, the season was pretty dire. But, it also had it’s moments.

Backcountry Skiing Biking Miscellaneous

January 4, 2019 Brittany Walker Konsella

My 2019 Bucket List

The meaning of words can evolve over time, and I want “bucket list” to be redefined as a list of goals can that can imply a shorter amount of time as well as a lifetime. So, I have created my 2019 Bucket List – a list of things I wish to accomplish during 2019. Some of the goals are things I have done in the past, but want to continue doing. Some are completely new. Some I’m already kind of doing. Others, I just have been wanting to do, but making a list like this public will hold me accountable.

Crested Butte Reviews - Gear & Other

December 17, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella

Review: Vermont Sticky – Maple Boost Energy Gel

The Maple Energy Boost is now a staple food in the backcountry for me. Not only does it taste great, but it provides quick energy without the sugar crash. I’ve been finding I now have less need to carry energy bars and other food because the energy boost can carry me through my energy needs for an extended period of time. This is definitely a product that every endurance athlete should try!

Uncategorized

December 8, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella

Review: Tecnica Women’s Mach 1 Pro LV Boot – for resort skiing

The customization capabilities of Tecnica Mach 1 Pro have allowed this boot to be adjusted perfectly for my foot, ankle, and lower calf. The result is a boot that not only fits well, but one that performs exceptionally well too. I can rely on this boot to respond quickly and predictably to slight pressures and movements of my foot, while keeping my foot comfortable all day long. After skiing for a few decades, I can honestly say that this is the best resort boot I have ever owned.

LEKI gloves - Griffin S Lady and Tour Precision

Backcountry Skiing Reviews - Gear & Other

November 27, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella

Gear Review: Women’s LEKI Gloves and Mittens

As a backcountry skier, I need several pairs of diverse gloves and mittens to keep my hands warm and protected through a wide range of activities and weather. My hands also tend to be on the cold side of things, so I seek extra warmth and high-performance moisture-wicking. On top of that, I seem to blast through gloves as fast as I can eat a pound of chocolate. It’s seriously hard for me to find a glove or mitten that can withstand my use for a year or longer. Yet, LEKI’s products have served my hands well for both durability and performance.

Backcountry Skiing Reviews - Gear & Other

November 25, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella

Gear Review: Fritschi Tecton backcountry ski binding

As someone who has torn her ACL three times, the safety of the bindings I ski on is of utmost importance to me. I need a binding that will stay on through steep and technical terrain, which I can trust will stay on my feet when I need it most. But, at the same time, I also need the binding to release when it should to save potential knee injuries. I have never liked the thought of skiing a tech binding in “locked mode” for fear that it won’t release when I actually need it to. The Tecton provides a perfect blend of reliability and releaseablility by integrating a host of features.