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BC/XC anything but resort skiing.


GSSucks

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Whew, just finished up a hut based AIARE 2 course ( the last in the series). I learned so much and all the snow science is really fascinating. Prior to this course I only used the CAIC website as a resource. I realize now that there are so many factors to look at and consider. I also have learned that there are ways to mitigate exposure even on higher avalanche days. 
 

Red Mountain Pass was closed for about 40 hours from the storm. So the first day we did companion rescue practice in a meadow behind the town of Silverton. At a certain point in the beacon rescue you have to get out of your skis. Postholing to mid thigh every rescue was really exhausting.
 

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We were finally able to get up to the hut that evening. Day 2 was a light tour and mostly digging pits. 
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Day 3 was definitley a “full value” day. We toured into US Basin. The weather was sort of sunny to start then got stormy. We observed some remote triggered smaller avalanches from a distance. We mapped out a tour plan from Cal Topo and set a track in virgin snow to get there. Roughly 100cm. The ski down was very fun. Had to transition to skins at the end which is always somewhat annoying. 
 

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today was a day of just fun touring as we officially met the requirements of the class  yesterday and requested to just take off. We are both dead tired. High altitude sleeping, bad eating due to low appetite poor sleep and I have had enough. Currently at Ouray brewery waiting for my giant burger. 

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13 minutes ago, Barb said:

Edit not 100cm of snow. I was looking at my pole. I think probably 9-10”. 

That’s deep and nice report..I was scrolling Facebook and saw a couple pictures and knew that a report was coming..airhead said there might be 4”+ coming out way so your report should hold us over until we see local backcountry reports. 

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Forgot to mention the parking situation. Plow trucks didn’t really plow the area. All 12 of us had to dig out some spots, took a while. Then we had to park like Tetris so we all fit. One girl got pretty stuck and 4 of us had to push her out. Morning of departure I got really stuck as someone not w our group pulled in and left me very little space to get out. I cut it too hard and dug my wheel into a snow bank. Luckily a snowmobiling bro was kind enough to pull me out w a tow strap. 
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jammed in parking and one dead battery. 

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Had to take Shannon to the airport so figured I would do a quick uphill lap at Buttermilk. It’s 33 degrees and full sunshine. Needless to say I am a sweaty mess. Decided to try and eat a day’s worth of calories in one sitting. 
 

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1 hour ago, GrilledSteezeSandwich said:

Chili looks grate…over under $16. I’d take a lot of crackers. 

$12.75. She asked if I wanted toppings and I just said to load me up. It was pretty good but I admit I couldn’t finish it. 😂

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https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/DCNR_details.aspx?newsid=1039

potential "new" touring area in PA. 2500 acres, with logging roads, 1300 vertical foot pipeline cut, and some old ski trails. I did read one article that mentioned opening it up to skiing, biking, and hiking. I would be neat if they allowed some glade clearing like some of the touring associations do in new england.

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Another 6-8” overnight. Did a nice little morning ski from my front door. My side of the neighborhood is always last to be plowed. 
 

Here is what my street looked like. 
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A little less work on the return as I used my own tracks 

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My dog loves to just chill in the snow

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I think Aspen recorded 24”. We got a solid 16-18” in 36 hours 
 

 

Double post of this pic I can’t seem to delete 

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Edited by Barb
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Today Aspen had a ladies uphill event at Buttermilk. I uphilled the Tiehack side earlier this week and my heart *almost* burst out of my chest. So I decided to skin up West Buttermilk, which is the easiest. Beat my pace by 11 min since last time I did it so maybe the Tiehack lap helped me somewhat. 
 

Free swag is always nice

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The road to the west parking lot is rough and so so muddy. 
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started snowing on my drive home. Next 2 days supposed to be lots of sunshine and mud 30’s, I will take it! 

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2 minutes ago, GrilledSteezeSandwich said:

Looks Grate Barb..bring up that pot hole at the next city council meeting lol..I heard you saw Atomic Jeff in Aspen…

I did!  He has photo proof. He was nice enough to ski slow with me for an hour. It was good to see him

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