Being that this website has a tagline that reads "Backcountry Skiing and More", I figured it would be very appropriate to further expand upon the "and More" aspect that has been missing for the better part of the year. As alluded to earlier, Gary and I skied down to A-Basin after our killer tour in Grizzly Gulch this past Saturday. We then met up with a slew of usual suspects at the base of the mountain that have always been notorious for throwing it down once the weather warms up.
Below is a short video compilation of a few highlights including my triumphant return to the college years that have long escaped me, Paul's first attempt at snowboarding, and a girl who has more inspirational fire coming out of her mouth than Richard Simmons on speed.
Enjoy.
A-Basin (2009.03.21) from Thomas Armento on Vimeo.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
110 | Grizzly Gulch . Colorado | 21 Mar 2009
Still no new snow in Colorado (although there is a pending storm that will supposedly dump up to a foot in most areas), but I finally got rid of the funk that's been hanging around for the last few weeks. Yesterday, Gary and I headed up towards Grizzly Peak from the top of Loveland Pass and scored some prime corn which highlighted an excellent day out and included a late stop at A-Basin. In total, we skied roughly 3,000 feet with not much effort which is always hard to argue against.
drop zone (click image to view in larger size)
In early April of 2008, we attempted to ski into Grizzly Gluch, but had to turn around due to several snowpack instabilities which included nearly two feet of sugar powder underneath a newly-formed 8-12" wind slab. Luckily, our only concern yesterday was the potential for wet slides on solar aspects which we of course had an eye on.
Knowing that we would have to wait until noon for the snow to soften, our day began leisurely, and we didn't start hiking from the top of Loveland Pass until near 10am. Ninety minutes later we reached our first drop zone and skied around 600 feet of vertical down a southeast aspect. The snow was a bit firm and we certainly could have waited a little longer before descending, but we had a larger line hanging higher on our priority list.
After a quick skin back to the ridge, we traversed further south towards Grizzly Peak and found ourselves atop our second descent. It was near 1pm and the snow was starting to corn up nicely so we decided against waiting around any longer. At the bottom of the 1,000-foot slope, we skinned back to the saddle and began our final approach towards the base of A-Basin just before 3pm.
hanging high underneath the cornice (click image to view in larger size)
The snowfield was quite a ways below the ridge, so we had to downclimb some five-hundred feet along the 35-degree scree field. We eventually found continuous snow and were able to ski right towards the CDOT building, albeit in some incredibly sloppy conditions once we got below treeline but this was expected on a westerly face late in the day. Needing much refreshment, we quickly found ourselves in the middle of the beach atmosphere at A-Basin and did our best to catch up with everyone else.
slashing the embankment (click image to view in larger size)
damage control (click image to view in larger size)
Helmet camera footage:
Grizzly Gulch (2009.03.21) from Thomas Armento on Vimeo.
drop zone (click image to view in larger size)
In early April of 2008, we attempted to ski into Grizzly Gluch, but had to turn around due to several snowpack instabilities which included nearly two feet of sugar powder underneath a newly-formed 8-12" wind slab. Luckily, our only concern yesterday was the potential for wet slides on solar aspects which we of course had an eye on.
Knowing that we would have to wait until noon for the snow to soften, our day began leisurely, and we didn't start hiking from the top of Loveland Pass until near 10am. Ninety minutes later we reached our first drop zone and skied around 600 feet of vertical down a southeast aspect. The snow was a bit firm and we certainly could have waited a little longer before descending, but we had a larger line hanging higher on our priority list.
After a quick skin back to the ridge, we traversed further south towards Grizzly Peak and found ourselves atop our second descent. It was near 1pm and the snow was starting to corn up nicely so we decided against waiting around any longer. At the bottom of the 1,000-foot slope, we skinned back to the saddle and began our final approach towards the base of A-Basin just before 3pm.
hanging high underneath the cornice (click image to view in larger size)
The snowfield was quite a ways below the ridge, so we had to downclimb some five-hundred feet along the 35-degree scree field. We eventually found continuous snow and were able to ski right towards the CDOT building, albeit in some incredibly sloppy conditions once we got below treeline but this was expected on a westerly face late in the day. Needing much refreshment, we quickly found ourselves in the middle of the beach atmosphere at A-Basin and did our best to catch up with everyone else.
slashing the embankment (click image to view in larger size)
damage control (click image to view in larger size)
Helmet camera footage:
Grizzly Gulch (2009.03.21) from Thomas Armento on Vimeo.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
109 | St. Mary's Glacier . James Peak | 14 Mar 2009
This past Saturday, I returned to James Peak along with JJ with hopes of scoring some soft snow which would be a tough task considering that barely a foot of new snow has fallen this month. To show how bad it has become, the snowpack at Berthoud Pass gained 9" in depth during the month of February, but has lost more than 6" in just the first eighteen days of March. Also in February, almost 2.5" of snow water content fell in the Loveland Pass area while only 0.8" has fallen this month so far. Being that Adam and I got skunked last week because of strong winds, we were hopeful in our quest.
But alas, we were way off.
Weather was absolutely perfect so you won't hear us complain about that: no wind, no clouds, and just warm enough. Wile at the summit, JJ looked towards the southeast and spotted a sweet-looking line to ski that offered some photo slutting potential with great lighting and a beautiful backdrop. Sure enough, it was quite arduous in locating the line without the help of radios (which were immediately purchased after the day's trip) and his project went for naught as the sun quickly shifted.
We ultimately found and skied the line in question, but the snow was absolutely awful and about the worst I've experienced all year. You would think that the quality on a north-facing chute that was mildly protected would be decent, but it was anything but that. The snow was super wind-affected and crunchy with a rather promising day turned huge disappointment.
Didn't get to ski Sunday since I was brutally attacked by the Jameson leprechaun and his buddies Guinness and Bailey. Here's to hoping things approve over the next several days.
In the famous words of Mahatma Gandhi,
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
But alas, we were way off.
Weather was absolutely perfect so you won't hear us complain about that: no wind, no clouds, and just warm enough. Wile at the summit, JJ looked towards the southeast and spotted a sweet-looking line to ski that offered some photo slutting potential with great lighting and a beautiful backdrop. Sure enough, it was quite arduous in locating the line without the help of radios (which were immediately purchased after the day's trip) and his project went for naught as the sun quickly shifted.
We ultimately found and skied the line in question, but the snow was absolutely awful and about the worst I've experienced all year. You would think that the quality on a north-facing chute that was mildly protected would be decent, but it was anything but that. The snow was super wind-affected and crunchy with a rather promising day turned huge disappointment.
Didn't get to ski Sunday since I was brutally attacked by the Jameson leprechaun and his buddies Guinness and Bailey. Here's to hoping things approve over the next several days.
In the famous words of Mahatma Gandhi,
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
Monday, March 9, 2009
108 | St. Mary's Glacier . James Peak | 8 Mar 2009
As my friend and skiing partner Gary says to me from time to time, "Nobody ever said it was going to be easy." Yesterday's trip up St. Mary's Glacier towards James Peak (which sits at 13,294 feet) exemplified every essence of that statement. This would be my fourth time in the area having first been visited on 5/3/2008 and again on 5/31/2008 when we skied Skypilot Couloir and 6/7/2008 when descents down Super Star and Starlight Couloirs were achieved.
Backcountry skiing isn't always easy nor is it always fun. Bluebird skies, sunshine, and perfect snow conditions are far from the norm, but if you never experience both sides of the spectrum then you will never be fully prepared for when situations deviate outside your comfort zone. Yesterday, that comfort zone didn't exist; and it wasn't until later in the day that Adam and I regained it while scarfing down healthy amounts of fast food to bring us back to life (for Adam's recap on the day, please visit his blog which includes some pictures and a topo map of our route).
"Your buddy looks like he's in bad shape and is just wandering around like he's lost in the desert. Give him this Cliff bar."
I'm the buddy and I was completely out of it after seven hours into our trip. If I was a car, the fuel gauge needle would have been well past empty. What is normally a two-point-five hour hike to the summit while gaining 2,900 feet, became five hours with the help of constant 40mph winds coming right at us as if they were protecting the mountains from our intruding.
Right when you think you've experienced it all, you chalk up another day where you test the absolute limits that your body can handle. If this sounds familiar, you might remember trips to Vail Pass on 1/8/2009, Mount Democrat on 7/19/2008, and Mount Shavano on 4/19/2008.
I could have easily spent the weekend at the resorts, but I chose not to since that would have been the easy way out and one that follows a generic path. There is something special about being isolated away from everything while scaling mountains free from outside interruption. While the outcomes aren't always exciting and pleasant, it is the challenge that draws me closer each time.
In the end, Adam and I didn't reach our goal of skiing down Shooting Star Couloir off the summit of James Peak then climbing up Super Star for a very optimistic daily double. In fact, I had to stop myself three-hundred feet below the summit because the winds were too strong (read: I was quite uncomfortable ascending while the 60mph gusts were lifting me up off the ground).
Days like this can be terribly disappointing when you don't accomplish your original intent, especially when you lose sleep the previous night because your nerves are running wild in anticipation. But we returned to civilization unscathed and more eager to make a successful trip back to James Peak in the future.
Entrance to Shooting Star:
Super Star:
If there's ever an appropriate song to tie the day's events together, it might as well be "Let it Be" by the Beatles:
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
When the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
(instrumental break)
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
There will be no sorrow, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be no sorrow, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
Backcountry skiing isn't always easy nor is it always fun. Bluebird skies, sunshine, and perfect snow conditions are far from the norm, but if you never experience both sides of the spectrum then you will never be fully prepared for when situations deviate outside your comfort zone. Yesterday, that comfort zone didn't exist; and it wasn't until later in the day that Adam and I regained it while scarfing down healthy amounts of fast food to bring us back to life (for Adam's recap on the day, please visit his blog which includes some pictures and a topo map of our route).
"Your buddy looks like he's in bad shape and is just wandering around like he's lost in the desert. Give him this Cliff bar."
I'm the buddy and I was completely out of it after seven hours into our trip. If I was a car, the fuel gauge needle would have been well past empty. What is normally a two-point-five hour hike to the summit while gaining 2,900 feet, became five hours with the help of constant 40mph winds coming right at us as if they were protecting the mountains from our intruding.
Right when you think you've experienced it all, you chalk up another day where you test the absolute limits that your body can handle. If this sounds familiar, you might remember trips to Vail Pass on 1/8/2009, Mount Democrat on 7/19/2008, and Mount Shavano on 4/19/2008.
I could have easily spent the weekend at the resorts, but I chose not to since that would have been the easy way out and one that follows a generic path. There is something special about being isolated away from everything while scaling mountains free from outside interruption. While the outcomes aren't always exciting and pleasant, it is the challenge that draws me closer each time.
In the end, Adam and I didn't reach our goal of skiing down Shooting Star Couloir off the summit of James Peak then climbing up Super Star for a very optimistic daily double. In fact, I had to stop myself three-hundred feet below the summit because the winds were too strong (read: I was quite uncomfortable ascending while the 60mph gusts were lifting me up off the ground).
Days like this can be terribly disappointing when you don't accomplish your original intent, especially when you lose sleep the previous night because your nerves are running wild in anticipation. But we returned to civilization unscathed and more eager to make a successful trip back to James Peak in the future.
Entrance to Shooting Star:
Super Star:
If there's ever an appropriate song to tie the day's events together, it might as well be "Let it Be" by the Beatles:
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
When the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted
There is still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
(instrumental break)
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
And when the night is cloudy
There is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
There will be no sorrow, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be no sorrow, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
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