183 | First Descent: Mini AK, Knobtop Mountain | RMNP, CO | 25 April 2011

Well it's no surprise that Rocky Mountain National Park has been a wonderful home to many different partners and myself this year. With a day off to rest the legs following two consecutive long days of climbing, I was joined by YC on Monday as we went exploring an undocumented mountain called Knobtob. Try your best to find any information on this peak regardless of the time of season and activity, and you'll come up empty handed. This is likely due to the length of tour required to reach this area and because this zone has large, steep rocks and boulders that need an incredible amount of snow to be covered. Given that the snowpack this year is near 200% above average and the fact that none of the lines were skiable back in early March when RMNP was more than a month ahead of average precipitation, I find it difficult to imagine more than a handful of times in the past were this zone could be skied. Granted, just because something isn't detailed on the internet doesn't mean it hasn't been skied, but when you attempt a less stout line like the Spire Couloir in the same year resulting in a first descent for a snowboarder, I'm more inclined to believe that we were the first people venturing into this area.

For YC's account on the day, please visit his website:
http://quixoticyc.blogspot.com/


Our primary goal was the east face of Notchtop with our secondary options being either the Spire or Notchtop Couloirs, but neither of us felt comfortable about it with plenty of new snow in the area and without being able to gain safe entry.

Alas, our eyes quickly became fixated on Knobtop which sits at 12,331' just north of Notchtop and the popular Flattop Mountain whose trail from Bear Lake provides easy access to the Bighorn Flats along the Continental Divide.



Link to topo map.




The day started off quickly and effortlessly but after reaching above treeline, we were greeted (much to our delight) by cooling temperatures and winds approaching 25mph. At 3 hours into the trip, we found shelter in a snow cave near Ptarmigan Point which would allow us to regroup before making the final trek across flatland towards our tertiary objective.


"Welcome to colorful Alaska, Colorado"






YC was equally stoked:






Photos of the surrounding area:










After reaching the drop zone, we tested the slope for stability and while we understood the top 8" of new snow would likely slide off, the remaining layers underneath would be supportive enough to keep us at ease. Then it was the waiting game as we sat patiently until the clouds lifted and the sun broke through to gives us better eyes.






The view down:






YC making turns in the gut which was quite rocky in the choke and included a mandatory exit air that we both wish we took a lot bigger:










Two Hancocks:






And no day is ever complete without the all-important point towards a ridiculously creamy apron that you just skied around:






But wait ... there's more!!




Bonus lap for another 1k vert:












One last look back at an amazing day:







Routes:

182 | Dragon's Tail Couloir | RMNP, CO | 23 April 2011

On Saturday, the goal was to get four newbies on a Rocky Mountain classic with some fresh conditions. While the snow wasn't as deep as expected, everyone was beyond stoked to be skiing a steep, continuous line that required hardly any effort on the up or the out. While the day started off great with warm temps and zero wind, the low-lying clouds decided to fuck with us on the descent that involved numerous downtime as we waited for some lift. For much of the second half of the line, visibility was less than 10 feet which made things more interesting than any of us cared for. With slough building into a hardened gut, it's clear Dragon's Tail is getting tagged a lot this year, but granted, this is the first time I've skied it past March.


Some scenics:






Gary making his way down:




Soon followed by Thatcher coming in hot:




YC goes for a hit near the bottom above Emerald Lake:




Group is all smiles (L-R Fritz, Gary, myself, Thatcher, YC):







Video courtesy of Gary:

181 | Berthoud Pass, CO | 22 April 2011

After abandoning my backcountry mistress that is Berthoud Pass for the better part of the past 3+ months in favor of laying down big lines in Rocky Mountain National Park, I decided to join the usual splitboarding knuckleheads Gary and Ed for a day of alpine chuting. The last time I was with these two, pillow-stomping madness ensued.

The stoke level was no different this day as we scored first tracks all day long as we ticked off four classic Berthoud descents for over 3k vert during a quick five-hour tour. Our day started with a race towards the top of Russell as we battled two others for the podium of who gets to paint the first canvas. As the first one up to the summit, our group got first choice down the North Chute. Conditions were about 4-6" of fresh on top of a slick surface that allowed for some high-speed turns on the down.



Ed showing how it's done:







After an effortless skin to the top of XYZ Chutes, we continued to find solid conditions before heading to Peter Rabbit Hut for a quick lunch break:







Wasting no time, we hustled up towards Postage Stamp (Gary and Cody in the foreground with Russell and XYZ visible behind):





Up until we reached the ridgeline, the wind was very calm but of course I had to open my big mouth and piss off whoever ws in charge. Our goal was to get into Frankenstein or the Hallway, but with gusts approaching 40mph, the decision to drop into Corner Pocket was a very easy one. No different than the previous two lines, snow here was excellent on yet another NE-facing chute. After a quick traverse across Second Creek, we found ourselves atop Chimney Chute dropping into First Creek. With 8" of blower at 35-40*, this was the glory descent of the day.

A look back towards Postage Stamp and the many options on both sides:







Video from the day:

180 | Another Powder Day at Loveland, CO | 15 April 2011

With a surprisingly deep storm that developed overnight Wednesday into Thursday and lasting well into the night, I had to take advantage of the forty-eight-hour snowfall total that creeped close to 24" and spend a rare, lazy lift-served day at Loveland with some friends. Tough life right? While I did have the camera on my hip all day, it was too good to stop for photos, especially with an anxious group of powder hounds scattered all about the mountain.

Lucky for you, I captured most of the day's high-fiving events on helmet camera while skiing the 2011/2012 Jaguar Shark from Moment Skis (very enthusiastic shameless plug to keep the boys in Reno happy). Highlights include first tracks under Chair 1 in addition to finding untouched in West Ropes, East Ropes, and Tunnel Face.

179 | Spire Couloir, Notchtop, RMNP, CO | 2 April 2011

Joined by splitboarders Forrest Thorniley and Barrows Worm de Geldern this past Saturday on a trek into Rocky Mountain National Park, we finally bagged a line that has grown to a slight obsessive level of recent. On two separate occasions this year alone have I attempted to reach the summit of Notchtop Mountain with the goal of skiing down the Spire Couloir only to get turned away due to adverse weather conditions. While the sun was out and the temperatures above freezing, we didn't luck out and hit the trifecta as the winds reached 40mph sustained with gusts topping fifty. Regardless, once we climbed the first 2,500 feet in 1:40 towards Flattop Mountain, there was no turning back and the day took a slightly masochistic turn with our objective less than a two-mile hike across flat terrain.


(photo by Forrest Thorniley)



Long's Peak visible some six miles to the south with our nemesis blowing across proudly:


(photo by Forrest Thorniley)



Although the above freezing temperatures during the previous two days gained us confidence that anything that was going to slide would have done so already, we surveyed our options at the top of Notchtop and quickly found an ideal cornice to saw off in order to test the south-facing slope for avalanche danger. With no reaction, we felt comfortable and found a suitable entrance onto the ridgeline that separates the East Face from the Spire Couloir.



Forrest dropping in:





A look from below towards our entry as Barrows makes a turn:





As the always reliable test dummy, I chose to descend down first into the initial choke. Once inside the protected couloir, snow conditions quickly improved to ideal spring skiing corn that was soft enough without being overly gloppy and dangerous.

Forrest lays down a slash:





Barrows finds an opening:


(photo by Forrest Thorniley)



And I quickly catch up to them:


(photo by Forrest Thorniley)



Barrows poses for the camera:





Forrest speeds off into the middle section:





About two-thirds of the way down, we approached a crux of sorts with a rock downclimb on one side and an ice fall on the other. Being the novice that I am, I chose the rocks with Forrest and Barrows going the more technical route. Some four minutes later, we met and began the finally stretch downhill.


(photo by Forrest Thorniley)



Barrows exiting at the bottom with Ptarmigan Glacier in the background:







In summary, this was a fantastic day even when factoring in the elements that caught us off guard and tempted fate. On the uphill climb before meeting Barrows at the entrance to Dragon's Tail off Flattop, both Forrest and I were feasting on finally being able to bag a line like the Spire Couloir. There was no way in hell we were about to allow mother nature to intervene especially when everything else seemed so right, so perfect, and so fitting. The group had great communication and we all understood each others' boundaries, limitations, and desires. In the end, we all felt comfortable with our abilities and with the snow conditions, and after using all the knowledge that we've gained over the years, we made the correct call. Simply put, there's no greater feeling than flying down the apron with a clenched fist in the air moments before meeting your partners as you celebrate a victorious accomplishment.


(our descent route is shown in red with the ice fall on the left side of the bifurcation and a downclimb on the right)





The video:





For more pictures, please visit the two links below:
http://thomas-armento.smugmug.com/Other/Spire-Couloir-02-Apr-2011
http://forrestthorniley.com/notchtopspire.htm

178 | Another Powder Day at Loveland, CO | 31 March 2011

On a day with only 4" of new snow reported overnight, I decided to take my chances and head to Loveland on the one-year anniversary of finding out some terrible news that would ultimately shape the future in nothing but the most positive way. After a quick run done Chair 1, I found my buddy Marshal skiing solo so we decided to spend the rest of the morning together. The outcome was surprisingly quite good ...