Over the past two weeks, I have been getting a taste for more of our easier terrain around the Front Range. Conditions have been windy, and there are big big slabs waiting to crush down on many leeward mountain aspects. In conditions like this, I like to play it safe, especially when skiing alone.
In the Front Range, and other locations in the Rockies, avalanche conditions are fairly dangerous. There lies a very weak layer of faceted snow/ice crystals at the base of the snowpack, which can cause some big slides. What is posing even greater threat are large wind slabs forming in high places when snow is blown into a feature, like a bowl or cirque, and subsequently compacted by wind effect, causing a large slab layer to form on top. In conditions like these, it pays to stay to shallower terrain. That said, the snow is good, if you can find it.
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| skiing ideal, Hidden Valley |
Last week, I ventured to Berthoud Pass to nab some laps on Colorado Mines Peak, just to the west at the top of the past. While not an impressive vista, this snowpatch affords good opportunity to run some laps in relative safety when the rest of the terrain to the west is ready to pop. Conditions were windy, windy windy, and the snow was dry and hard.
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| from Colorado Mines Peak, looking southwest |
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| conditions approaching the top of Colorado Mines Peak, windblown and scrubby |
Yesterday, I headed up to good ol' Rocky Mountain National Park. Hidden Valley, in the north along Trail Ridge Road sports some decent vert in the trees. This valley used to be a rope-tow ski resort with a few runs, but was decomissioned in 1991. The forest has not yet reclaimed the old runs. As such any enterprising winter enthusiast may take advantage of these old runs if they are willing to skin their way up first. Conditions were windy in the parking lot, but once in the trees, it was quite serene. The weather was clear with temps in the 30's. I enjoyed a few inches of fresh powder from the previous evening's storm, which made for good fun.
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| making my way up at hidden valley |
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cruising down an east-facing run, one can see how skiing here
would be reminiscent of the resort |
I am endeavoring to better my game in the skiing arena. My trip to the Tetons help spark some renewed interest for me. By doing laps at these non-threatening locations I can stay in good shape and watch my skiing carefully. I am more easily linking turns in all conditions, which is a good start. My ultimate goal is to be able to hit the steep lines this spring. I am having a bitch of a time finding that 4'000 feet of vertical with 'ski-from-the-car' access here in Colorado though...
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one must be vigilant in the backcountry, the snow pit is
one tool one can use to study the conditions of the snowpack |
