TR: Colorado, LL to Snowmass, part 1

[davidski]

So I finished my season with a pretty amazing journey thru colorado. Skiied three new mountains.... finally got some backcountry runs with a friend and revisited some mountains I consider old friends.



it went like this, March 14 thru 22, flying on a standby ticket resulted in an extra day and a few grey hairs -- unfortunately my brother couldn't join me this time but got me a ticket just the same, good bloke my brother



anyway

Day 1-- Loveland

2-- LL pass

3-- Sunlight

4-- Snowmass

5-- Cooper

6-- Loveland

7-- A-basin and LL pass again



I'll break it up-- I made it to Idaho springs for my first night, I stayed at the Idaho springs Motel, I've stayed there before but never again -- so nasty I never took my socks off.



Tues. morning a buddy drove up and we went to Loveland, he's been back in Denver since Oct. and has been riding most days since but hasn't skiied LL in years; the day was good snow tracked but soft without any effects yet from warming and refreezing



nice









Tunnel Trees











My friend John likes to jump off stuff













Day 2 started after a restful night in an upgraded motel (went hi-dollar to $47/nt) John came out again and we headed for Loveland Pass.



He grew up in Boulder and lived in NC last few years, doing construction in central carolina in August heat, we talked about these runs, he moved back to CO and now was the oppurtunity for me to hit this stuff with someone who knows it well.



parked at the top crossed Hwy 6 and started the traverse







the hike up and over took 45-50 min (15-20 of that due to my struggling)-- still breathing breaks allowed photo ops











some big kicker below







getting there







Close to our drop in toward the front another group was heading down the backside to film on some feature they'd built back there, they gave few details but were very cool and wanted some photos of their crew; so we all passed cameras to and fro











this picture of a picture being taken, shows the majority of the traverse we took from the pass -- distant above John's head is a source of concern on that path









Anyway so then the descent

























we made a lot more descents, 1-2 from much shorter traverses , 3-4 only in trees, relaxing wherever. By the way my bizarre white complexion is a result of chlidrens spf 50 over stubble





























last thing of this day was a hike up along the other side of the ridge, longer and steeper traverse then it seemed (for me, obviously not John, as the first picture shows)



It drops into an enormous field that I photographed years ago from below on Hwy 6 and actually had as my avatar here -- the idea of skiing it was not in my remotest imaginings then



On this day --caic was yellow and green -- there was no slide activity at all (four days later, a lot) -- the cornice photo was taken for maximum effect......still I understand any criticism; but I don't regret it























that's all for now

[caderader]

very nice man. Looks like y'all are having too much damn fun out there.

[pagamony]

Some really nice pics, and great to see you finally conquering LL pass; you've paid the price. Too bad the frankentrekkers did not make it. That looks like lots of fun.



Now, I want to read the story and see the pics of the gnar shred on Cooper - finally someone else !

[dreamnofpow]

Good stuff, looks like you kept the Scott skis?

[davidski]

I was trying to sell the scotts , even strapped them to a post at a-basin wi8th a for sale sign.



Everywhere I had good response but everyone there has too many skis



In a later report I will divulge my final !!!..Period;; twice tried ski, okay I'll divuge it now



this summwer I WILL get a 168cm Nomad Sft and mount them with the Barons already in my possession





The Scott P4s crush but the nomads are nimble

[KneeDeep]

Two things. First, let me know when you want to buy the Nomads, and I might be able to get a deal for you. My buddy works for Icelantic here in Denver, and I'm happy to at least ask.



Two- how did you like Sunlight? (Snowmass kicks a$$, huh?)

[davidski]

snowmass and the awesomeness that is Ski Cooper, coming up

[davidski]

@KneeDeep 244034 wrote:Two things. First, let me know when you want to buy the Nomads, and I might be able to get a deal for you. My buddy works for Icelantic here in Denver, and I'm happy to at least ask.



Two- how did you like Sunlight? (Snowmass kicks a$$, huh?)



Sunlight was a wonderful mountain but conditions were at the worst of my trip the day I was there. I'm going to post that part soon but I'm slow at these reports



I can't buy till this summer but they will be my next ski



Shout out to Empire sports (downieville/dumont exit) who demoes great skis for $23/day