Backcountry Skiing Archives - Page 6 of 81

TR: West Partner Peak (Peak U) – 25 April 2018

May 1, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella 0 Comments

2006 was also the year that Dave, Mark and I skied Peak V together, otherwise known as East Partner Peak (look for a Throwback trip report later this week). That was my first Gore Range expedition and the last for many years as I undertook my goal of skiing all of Colorado’s fourteeners. Devoid of higher elevation peaks, the Gore Range sat waiting for me until I finished my goal. But, in recent years I’ve enjoyed exploring this unique and hard to navigate area. Earlier in the week, I had mentioned to Dave that Frank and I were hoping to head north for some skiing in the Gore Range as they were holding a decent amount of snow. Mark had the week off too, and it only seemed fitting to ski West Partner Peak, completing the Partner pair, with some of the best partners I’ve had in backcountry skiing.

TBT: Backcountry skiing in Fernie (2/23/2010)

April 19, 2018May 3, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella 0 Comments

The account below is one small piece of a series of posts documenting our road trip to Montana and interior British Columbia in February, 2010. Stops included Bridger, Whitefish, Fernie, Roger’s Pass, Kicking Horse, Revelstoke, Whitewater, and Red (Rossland). This unforgettable adventure was made possible by the generosity of strangers – now friends – who time and time again let us crash on their floors or in their guest rooms, and then guided us around some of the best terrain that they knew. We were lucky to have this in almost every place we stopped.

Backcountry Skiing Recent Events / News Respect the Snow

Tony Saracelli – A Tribute

April 17, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella 4 Comments

Tony Saracelli was the quiet confident sort. Despite his Italian heritage, he was not the boisterous kind. He was humble beyond words. And liked to share his world with others. A pizza delivery guy by night and ski bum by day, Tony was a fantastic ski partner and took precautions to keep everyone safe – more pre-cautions than I have seen the average backcountry skier take. He was far too well aware of how dangerous backcountry skiing could be. But he was incredibly generous and loved skiing more than life.

Backcountry Skiing Crested Butte

Crested Butte Spring Skiing 2018

April 16, 2018October 17, 2018 Frank Konsella 0 Comments

The only times it wasn’t sketchy were when the whole snowpack was rotten from top to bottom. For the most part, everyone did an admirable job of dialing it back this season, thankfully. But springtime eventually arrives, and with it, the chance to ski some steeper lines.

Backcountry Skiing Crested Butte

TR: Our Playground (20 & 21 March 2018)

April 4, 2018April 4, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella 0 Comments

We left the Playground reluctant to head into work, with smiles on our faces, and happy to be able to venture safely into a little more aggressive terrain. Here’s to a great start to spring skiing!

Backcountry Skiing Crested Butte Mountain Lessons Respect the Snow

Gothic West Side (or a look at backcountry decision-making) – 11 Mar 2018

March 19, 2018March 19, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella 0 Comments

I kept saying the line made me uncomfortable, that we’d find more mature snow further down the ridge. You could see that the snow in that particular gully had been less affected by solar radiation, and could therefore be less stable. What I didn’t explain was that the wind-loaded gully was the classic thing we should be avoiding right now given the history of remote triggers in similar terrain throughout the season. We were already venturing out on more risky terrain, why not ski the safest line possible given we had choices? But, somehow that never made it out of my mouth. Why? Because I was upset that my friends wanted to ski something we had previously all agreed on was unsafe. Instead, I just found myself feeling bad for being the one who was trying to change everyone’s mind.

Backcountry Skiing Crested Butte

Powder in Colorado?

February 19, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella 3 Comments

It’s no secret. Snow has not exactly been prolific in Colorado this winter, and it has been especially rough in the central and southern parts of the state. Here in Crested Butte, it has largely been the “unwinter” – at least until recently. I had basically given up on winter. But, after back to back bursts of snow in recent weeks, it’s game on once again!

Backcountry snowboarding on a powder day.

Backcountry Skiing Miscellaneous

It’s been a long time

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018 Brittany Walker Konsella 0 Comments

Sure, winter has been slow to arrive. Snow is sparse in a lot of places, especially in Central and Southern Colorado. But the northern half of the state is holding relatively strong. And there’s pretty darn good skiing up there. We even had a chance to enjoy it!

Backcountry Skiing Fourteeners

TBT: Sean Crossen’s 14er Skiing Video

November 16, 2017November 14, 2017 Brittany Walker Konsella 0 Comments

Most people don’t know about Sean Crossen, but they should. He was one of Colorado’s 14er-skiing pioneers in the early to mid-2000’s. Long before legendary Chris Davenport decided he would try to ski all of Colorado’s fourteeners, Sean Crossen was out there, on cumbersome old gear, exploring new routes on these high peaks.

Follow Brittany's account of her trauma on July 6th and her recovery since!

Gimps Resort Skiing Trauma Incident

Unlucky Lucky: Skiing Again!

February 4, 2020 Brittany Walker Konsella 3

At the end of the appointment, the doctor sat me down and said, “Let’s talk about skiing.” In my head I said, “I thought you’d never ask!” But, I refrained. He asked, “Do you even want to ski this year?” I nodded my head in silent response, but inside I was screaming, “Oh hell yeah!” Then he asked, “Do you have a seasons pass?” I nodded my head again and mumbled something about buying it before the accident and just keeping it because I thought I’d be skiing in spring for sure. Then he said, “I think you should get out and ski. I think it will help you mentally.” Yep, this doc knows me, or at least knows my type. Of course, there was the whole spiel about starting out slow, on groomers only, etc. But, I already knew this. It’s not like I haven’t been through 3 ACL surgeries before.

Gimps