Splitboard Mission on Rabbit Ears

With my first weekend off from school trips in three weeks, I knew it was time to go off on my own adventure.  But where?  With an abundance of new snow (13″ reported at Steamboat’s summit the day of) I knew that Rabbit Ears Pass, located about 20 minutes outside of Steamboat, would be the perfect place to enjoy the deep powder.  

When we arrived at the Walton Peak Trail Head, we were greeted by mild temperatures and a stunning bluebird Colorado sky.  We began the 2.5 mile trek to Walton Peak’s summit, breaking trail through about 2 new feet of snow.  While the new snow would make the skiing and snowboarding great, it made the trek in a much more arduous affair.  After making it about 3/4 of a mile, another group of skiers overtook us and broke trail ahead of us (Thanks guys!).  Sometimes it’s not always best to be the first ones to the trail head!  We continued on, with blue skies and deep powder beckoning us onward and upward.

Breathtaking views greeted us once we reached Walton’s summit.  From our vantage almost half of Colorado’s major mountain ranges were visible; the Park Range which we were in, the Flat Tops off to the southwest, the Gore and Ten-mile range to the South, and the Never Summers of the Front Range to our East.  It was incredible to see the vast differences in the geology of the mountains in such short distances.  On one hand there is the plateaus of the Flat Tops, then the jagged points of the Gore Range, and the massive alpine peaks of the Never Summers.  Colorado’s such a special place.  I’m lucky to have spent my entire life in such a diversely beautiful place!

The Flat Tops

After digging a snow profile and analyzing the different weak layers in the snowpack, we decided to ski on some more conservative slopes instead of the wide open bowls off of  Walton’s summit.  Not everyone who ventures out into the backcountry is prepared for the danger’s of avalanches.  So be sure you’re properly educated and check the state’s avalanche report (avalanche.state.co.us) before you leave home! Don’t become another statistic!

The Gore Range outside of Silverthorne.

Finally, it was time to slap the board back together and get some turns in.  While I only took less than twenty turns that day, the great snow and beautiful day made it all worthwhile.  When going out in the backcountry, the day becomes less about skiing or boarding and more about enjoying the solitude and sights.  It’s not often enough that people are able to escape the chaos of civilized life, and the feeling of being the only person for miles is one that will always have me coming back for more.

Looking across North Park to the Never Summers of the Front Range.

We arrived back at the trail head with tired muscles and labored breaths, but knowing it was fully worth it.  The day had come together magically between the sun, snow, and sights.  We were ready to return to the comforts of our hectic society, but only so that one day we could again escape from it.

Walton Peak Snowboarding from Dustin Eldridge on Vimeo.

Snowy Scenes from Steamboat

Steamboat Springs has had an incredible past couple weeks.  Over 50 inches of pure fluff fell from the sky, making Steamboat the place to be to ski and ride in Colorado.  Prior to these storms, Steamboat had received almost no snow through all of January.

Terrain in Steamboat’s backcountry.

Here’s a little edit I made with some GoPro footage over the month of January.  I decided to make a quick edit, so there are plenty of interesting GoPro sounds for you to hear.  If you’re familiar with Steamboat, you’ll recognize some classic runs like East Face and the trees off of Vagabond.

January in the ‘Boat from Dustin Eldridge on Vimeo.

Here’s to more snow in February!

Last Year’s Spring Photoshoot with the CMC Photography Class

Last year, I was invited to help one of the CMC Photography classes with a ski/snowboard photoshoot on the mountain.  Looking back at the photos has got me excited about the upcoming winter season.  Even though last year wasn’t the greatest snow year Steamboat has had, it was still an amazing year full of slush, sun, and good times.  Here’s to the upcoming winter, and lots of snow!

Gettin corked. Photo: Michael Burns

FS 3 on the Mavericks Jump Line. Photo: Michael Burns

Mini-Stale fish. Photo: Kieren Horan

Some may call this the intangible beauties of mountain living. Photo: Kieran Horan

Another view. Photo: Michael Martin

Method in North St. Pat’s. Photo: Michael Martin

Thanks to Michael Burns, Kieren Horan, and Mike Martin for the photos!

Looking Back on Freshman Year

This gallery contains 6 photos.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve spent one year in my new home of Steamboat.  It’s even harder to believe that I’ve finished my freshman year of college.  This year has been a whirlwind of exciting outdoor ed. trips, fun … Continue reading →

Jackson Hole with the CMC Backcountry Club

As a member of CMC Alpine’s Backcountry Club, I get first dibs on the annual Club trip to Jackson Hole.  Each year the itinerary is a little different, but this year the trip cost only $300 dollars and included a 3-day lift ticket to Jackson Hole, as well as lodging for three nights and transportation from Steamboat.  I had never ridden at Jackson before, but I knew of its infamous terrain.  I knew Jackson Hole would provide relief for a flats-weary snowboarder from Steamboat.

We left Steamboat caravan style, 4 cars deep, early on a Thursday morning.  Windswept plains and abandoned buildings passed my window for hours until the peaks of the Wyoming Rockies began to appear out of the horizon.

Five hours in, two left to go.

Our plan was to arrive at Teton Pass around 2 pm or 3pm, to get at least one run in before our three days at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. From the summit of the road, we climbed south along to a higher point that would take us down to where we parked at the bottom of the pass.  The snow was heavy, but soft, and provided some great steep turns.  Minutes after the sun had set we piled back into the caravan of cars and set off for our condos.

Looking Southeast off the summit of Teton Pass.

The next day was bluebird and warm, a perfect day to explore Jackson.  Our first run was on the the tram, and riding this would be a recurring theme throughout the trip.  The tram rises about 4,500 vertical ft. and is outfitted with plenty of windows so that the riders can get a good look at Jackson Hole’s terrain that lies beneath.  I would not recommend the tram for those afraid of heights, as it passes over huge cliff bands hundreds of feet high.

Prepared with avalanche gear and led by our guides, CMC teachers and Backcountry Club sponsors Mike Martin, Tim Widmer, and Alex Pond, we explored the huge sidecountry terrain that Jackson Hole has to offer.  We started the day with two Rock Springs runs.  Rock Springs is accessed from a gate near the top of the tram, and leads to a drainage the contains chutes, cliffs and just about and open      bowls.  Our last run of the day was through Granite Canyon.  This is also accessed from the tram, but requires a traverse and about twenty minutes of hiking to reach.  Granite Canyon was definitely the best run of the day, but it wasn’t without a price.  The traverse out is long, and especially brutal to snowboarders such as myself.  If you want to venture into Granite Canyon, make sure you’re ready for a workout.

The next day was a snowy one, and we spent it exploring Jackson’s inbounds offerings.  The runs got better and better as the snow piled up throughout the day.  While our edges scraped against the rough surface underneath the soft powder, I knew the next day would be a different story.

With 11 inches of snow in 24 hours reported, the crew and I hustled to pack up and leave the condo in time to catch an earlier tram.  We showed up to a long line, but it moved quickly, and we were on the tram about twenty minutes after opening.  From there, we dropped into the infamous Corbet’s Coulior.  At the top is a mandatory drop into the steep powder-filled chute. From there we rode over to the hike across the Headwall, which would take us to Casper Bowl.  We lapped Casper Bowl’s various chutes for the rest of the day.  The last day was our best day of riding in Jackson, and it only made me ask myself why I was leaving.  Jackson Hole’s abundance of terrain, frequent snowfall, and steepness make it a step above most other resorts.

Me looking up at Casper Bowl. Photo: Dylan Barber

While it was sad to leave, I knew that I would be returning to Jackson Hole one day in the future. Thanks to the CMC Backcountry Club for an awesome trip!