anybody get out lately? I did a day at keystone last saturday then a yurt trip for 3 days out by cameron pass and let me say that area is GETTING snow!!! 10″ reported for CP on sunday but near clark peak yurt it was more like 18″! the snow being so fresh and not settled at all really killed our ability to go up high and find rideable pitch for that much snow. Place has ALOT of potential though. Cant wait to go back out that way.

COLORADO’s getting snow!! :headbang: :rock:

Yep, been getting my powder turns in at James Peak Wilderness and Caribou (yesterday), and it’s been good! Lot’s of wind yesterday and today making for miserable conditions above treeline, but powder is piling up nicely in the trees. Finally got into this 20 foot in diameter natural half-pipe/avy chute (NW aspect) that I’ve been watching from across the valley, and it was deep and soft.
Snowpack still highly variable and discontinuous, but no new avalanches seen this week. If we could just get a good storm with calm winds, a lot of good terrain above treeline should start working well.

Berthoud was pretty sweet yesterday, got 5 quick laps: Floral Meadows/Park, Hoop Creek, Hell’s Half Acre/Highway to Hell, Meadow 1/2 to 80’s/90’s, and finally Highway to Hell/Hightrail 7 mile run to bottom. Wanted to head back up today but with the snow and wind just didn’t seem smart. The conditions yesterday were prime, but still hit bottom in a couple places in Floral Park and Meadows and had some really small labs to bottom break when stopping on steeper stuff in trees to wait for partners. Only problem was that I didn’t bring the split as I was with 2 others booting it. Bootpack wasn’t bad, just spend too much energy getting up, but getting to ride my DIY fish was worth it, perfect snow for the lil shred. Here are some pic.

this little drop was just after the long flats on 7 mile before entering the more fun flats aka snake run

believe this was around the 80’s/90’s gate

the setup for the day, hiking isn’t the best mode for getting up but the lil diy fish (older Lib Tech MC Kink 153, full banana with a jigsawed batail to be about a ~148 and bindings setback at 22.5″ with +20 and +3) was perfect for the amount of snow and some tight trees.

found this nice old trail map since i’m not too familiar with berthoud and was relying on my 2 buddies/guides
http://btjdesign.com/berthoud/TrailMap2.jpg

Wolf Creek was awesome yesterday!!!!!
WC & the Pass should be good for the next couple days also…

Did a hut trip last weekend to Geneva Basin with some buddies. Not much splitting since we had 2 sleds, but really not much riding in general. Spent most of the time on the hill digging out the sleds and or struggling along in the quicksand low angle snow. The snowpack is just too sketchy to be on steeper, exposed stuff (not that there is much there). But Sunday morning was deeeeep and got a couple great turns in. Best part was riding the new DIY, really starting to get a feel for the ride. Geneva might be good for a while as long as we keep getting these upslope storms, it’s starting to fill in and you can still drive all the way to the base if you have 4wd/awd and some good clearance.

Saturday storm riding, knicker knocker

had to keep it warm

sunday

very very wind blown, lots of side loading, check out bierstadt

deep, but unfortunately lots of flat (did find some decent steep stuff though)

CT, as for snow depths its the same depth for the red mountain snotel as last year. All Snow Water Equiv is the same as well. That’s not a great thing but not horrible. This month will be the real test. Last year’s march was horrible. 2 minimal snowstorms (we got like 6 inches total) really set us up poor for April. Hopefully we continue to get some snowfall this month and keep the base at least where it is, and hopefully increase it. I think right now the silver lining is that avalanche conditions seem to be stabilizing a bit with the warmer weather, saw all Moderate in the Northern San Juan forecast for the first time in months it seems. So if this base get stabilized and a few storms pile on top, that could make for good conditions. I’m staying optimistic.

For comparison, last year snow depths sat at 40″ or so at splitfest time at Red Mountain Snotel. Right now they are at 57″. Normally they sit at the 70″-80″ range now into the first week of April. So a few storms and we are right on track.

Avalanche Baldy 3-18-13. Gore range

Baldy 3-18-13 by travis young 424, on Flickr

Vail called 11″ as of this morning. i would guess 15″ up there. Lets see what comes down today? getting warm out at the moment.

Conditions are pretty freaking good at the moment on the Front Range. In James Peak Wilderness yesterday, didn’t see any avy activity on any aspects, and encountered no instabilities, which is nice for a change. Video from yesterday, https://vimeo.com/62588392

I am suprised how dead this thread is? 30″ since Thursday night and the conditions are better now than they have been in a long time. Sunday was DEEP and it snowed even harder yesterday. Avy danger in the red today, but hoping for a freeze tonight.

Last week, 7am skin into the goods.

photo by travis young 424, on Flickr

Is it too warm for Front Range riding this Memorial Day?