Flying Over the American Southwest

I recently flew out to Los Angeles to visit my family there.  It was great to be able to go to the beach and soak up the sun, seeing as Spring came a little late here in Steamboat.  While it was sad to leave all of my amazing cousins, uncles, aunts and grandparents, I was excited for the flight back to Colorado.

The slopes of Durango Mtn. Resort are visible in the distance.

I’ve been interested in reading maps my entire life and I suppose this might explain my fascination with staring out the window of an airplane 30,000 feet above the ground.  Seeing the contours of the Earth from such a spot is like looking at a live-action map, with weather, cars, and buildings adding to the scenario.  Our flight only encountered blue skies and tiny tufts of clouds, so the viewing was excellent.

As our plane took off, the metropolis of the greater LA region spread as far as the eye could see.  Tiny buildings and streets in a variety of patterns made a patchwork quilt over the area.  Just as it seemed as though the buildings would spread on forever, all signs of civilization vanished.  The desert took hold.  About 45 minutes after take-off, the Grand Canyon came into view.  The huge canyon system filled up my view of the window, and I pushed my head closer to see if I could get a better look.  Next was Lake Powell,  a reservoir with more coastline than the state of California.  White, arrow-shaped wakes from motor boats could be discerned from the turquoise water below.  The branches of Powell looked like a roots digging into the dry desert Earth surrounding it.

On top of Comb Ridge a month prior.

At the edge of Powell, I saw Navajo Mountain come into view.  This was the second time in a month that I had gazed at this peak, rising above the eastern shores of Powell.  On my Southwest Field Exploration class, I had sat on the edge of Cedar Mesa and surveyed Navajo’s slopes and Monument Valley to the East.  Comb Ridge, a sharp fin of sandstone rising starkly from the desert washes below, then came into view.  We had explored numerous ruins on Comb Ridge and it was incredible to be able to see it from this perspective.  The ridge stood as a natural obstacle to Mormon exploration in the 19th century, and it was evident why indigenous peoples would flock to such a natural stronghold.

Telluride Ski Area

My heart almost skipped a beat as the huge expanse of white-capped peaks began to creep into my vision.  The peaks of southern Colorado’s San Juan range rose majestically from the red desert sands.  From my vantage I could pick out Durango Mountain resort and Telluride Ski area.

Maroon Bells

The sheer scale of these mountains was mind-blowing.  Peak after peak shot into the sky for as far as the eye could see.  These peaks seemed to deflate the significance of the huge urban sprawl of LA; man and his machines could never manufacture anything as awe-inspiring and purely massive as the enormous peaks of Colorado.  Luckily, the flight was only half-full, so I ran excitedly across the aisle to scout the other peaks Colorado has to offer.  Soon the Elk Range outside of Aspen came into view.  Each of Colorado’s mountain ranges has a distinct aesthetic flavor, and I could pick out the stratified alpine peaks of the Maroon Bells below.

Vail’s back bowls are visible in the center of the photograph.

The jagged peaks of the Gore Range came into view next, and from that identification point I picked out the back bowls at Vail.  Finally, the Ten-Mile Range, host to Breckenridge, came into view, with the Front Range reaching northwards.  The mountain ranges spread out in all directions and dwarfed Lake Dillon sitting between the Ten-Mile and Front ranges.

The Elk Range

I don’t believe there is any tour that can offer Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, and Colorado’s peaks in one offering.  It was incredible to be able to compare the size and scale of these cornerstones of western American civilization in less than three hours.  Next time you fly, I suggest putting down your phone, book, laptop, etc., and instead gazing out the window.  Unless you’re flying over a vast ocean or the Great Plains, amazing views and untold insights will greet you.

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!

Beginning Ice Climbing

Looking down the Ouray Ice Park

Originally I had planned on signing up for CMC’s Mountaineering course, but as it’s not offered in the spring, I chose Ice Climbing instead.  I figured many of the same skills would overlap between the two courses.  I say this because I’m not much of a climber of any sort; my only experience was two or three rock climbs with some buddies over this past summer.  Needless to say, I was a little anxious heading into the trip, but I knew, as a CMC course, that it would be conducted in a safe manner and that I would have some incredible people to share the experience with.

Our trip took us across the state, from Steamboat in the north, down south about six hours to a small, former mining town named after the Ute chief Ouray.  Ouray sits nestled at the end of a box canyon with San Juan peaks jutting into the sky in the background.  Ouray’s unique topographical position is the reason the “Switzerland of America” plays host to one of the world’s largest ice climbing parks.

The Ouray Ice Park is situated in the Uncompahgre Gorge within walking distance of the town.  The Ice Park’s  200 + routes span a mile of the gorge and is all the result of volunteer work.  Incredibly, the Ice Park is free to all, but $40 memberships are available for those who want to help keep the Ice Park in the stellar condition it is in.

I never could’ve imagined the scene prior to my visit to the Ice Park.  Towering ice curtains of blue and white clung against the shaded wall of the tight canyon while climbing ropes with climber’s at various heights occupied almost every available space.  The sun rarely reached the canyon floor but its rays were visible pounding the gargantuan snow-capped peaks standing majestically to either end of the canyon.  It almost seemed like something out of an action  movie, but the friendly smiles and reassuring yells of encouragement from classmates gave a much more relaxing vibe.

After getting on the ice the first day and getting to know the technique more; I knew Ice Climbing would be more of a mental challenge than anything for me.  Few people will experience the mental battle of debating whether to continue a climb or take the easy way down.  From Friday to Sunday there was a huge difference in both my confidence and my ability to bear down mentally and continue the climb.  I got to a point where I realized that the only thing holding me from the top was the doubts in my mind.  And with the encouragement of our lively class, definitely the liveliest bunch down in the canyon, it was easy to find the strength to go on.

Even If I had learned nothing on this trip, I still would’ve had an amazing time.  Just to be in such a beautiful place, with so many enjoyable characters, was a treat on its own.  My jaw was constantly dropped at the towering, craggy peaks around us, and the amazing scenes throughout the canyon.  Every CMC Outdoor Ed trip I take I am amazed at the camaraderie and support displayed by everyone in the class.  This class has definitely opened some doors for me, both in regards to my passions, and getting to know some great people better.  This won’t be my last ice climbing experience, and I have teachers Kevin and Luke to thank for making the experience that more enjoyable.

Snow in Steamboat!

The snow gods have blessed Steamboat.  Consecutive storms started last week and have dropped decent accumulations every other day.  The last storm settled in all day Monday and put down 8 inches in 24 hours at the ski area.  Only a few hours ago did the clouds finally dissipate.  Another storm is on the horizon for the weekend, another Sunday/Monday, and more possibilities after that!  The rest of December is looking snowy for Colorado.  Steamboat is not quite open top-to-bottom yet, but the last lift, Storm Peak Express, should be opening any day now.  The snow not only means accumulations but chances for the snow-making crews to get a lot done.  Chair and trail openings will be abundant over the next few weeks.

CMC Skiing and Riding

Now the only unfortunate thing is that the snow and finals came in the same week.  I have been enduring long days between the mountain and the classroom.  But this is why I moved to Steamboat, the best place to be ride and go to school.  Pow laps in the morning, classroom discussions in the afternoon.  CMC’s proximity to the resort isn’t the only reason its great.

Next Semester and Graduation

I don’t know about all college students, but I’m so excited for next semester.  I’ll be taking some amazing classes while also graduating with an Associates and Snowboard Guide Certification!  Not only that, but I will be taking some incredible trips that I’ll get to share with all of you.  From Beginning Ice Climbing to River Kayaking, and Environmental Sociology to Leadership Development, my semester will be filled with outdoor adventures and intriguing classes.  Stay tuned for updates about these classes and more!

Think Wolf Creek is the Snowiest Spot in Colorado? Think again…

Now I’m sorry I have no pictures of the snow for you, but instead I’ll give you some weather forecasting models to fool around with.  These things can be addicting once you learn a little about them, and you’ll know all about the upcoming weather.  The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) has some awesome forecast models on their website, and Unofficial Networks has a page full of every sort of weather map you could imagine.  A little curiosity can go a long way, and its possible to learn so many incredible things about mountain weather, and how great Steamboat has it.  To finish, I’ll leave you with this study done by CSU about the snowiest mountain ranges in Colorado.  I was surprised to find that it was not the San Juans, where Wolf Creek is located, but the Park Range, where Steamboat is located.  Check it out in the  links below!

• CAIC Snowfall Model Forecast
• Unofficial Networks Weather
• CSU Snowfall Study

Opening Weekend at Keystone

This past weekend I was able to spend a couple days riding at Keystone Resort, about 1.5 hours south of Steamboat.  Steamboat’s perch atop northern Colorado gives the adventurous skier/rider a good base camp to go explore Colorado’s other mountains.  And with Steamboat’s opening date set to Nov. 21st, there is still plenty of time to get the legs in shape before opening day. 

Some of Keystone’s early season terrain park.

Early season snowfall last week on Cameron Pass.

Loveland, Arapahoe Basin, Copper, and Keystone were all open this past weekend.  From now on, the next weeks of the season will see the opening of most of Colorado’s resorts from Aspen to Silverton.  Colorado hasn’t seen much natural snowfall yet, which means that groomers and terrain park are the name of the ski-game for now.  Be careful trying to venture into the trees and near the sides of runs, you might just happen across a season-ending surprise.   

As always, Keystone set up an incredible opening day terrain park, quite possibly the best in the world at the time.  The park had 25 features and some incredibly unique features to boot.  Keystone used the 3-person Ranger chair to cater to the park crowd, while there were three other chairs and four runs for those outside the park.  As expected of opening weekend, conditions were a little icy and crowded, but the pure joy of standing strapped in on some snow overcame any feelings of jealousy or anger. 

It’s early in the season, so get out there, make some turns, and stay healthy for the long winter ahead.  Breckenridge opens next week, and Steamboat shortly after that.  Soon we will be able to venture to the trees, and out of bounds, but be patient, you wouldn’t want to end your season early.

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!

The Business of Ski Guiding

One of the main reasons I chose to go to Colorado Mountain College’s Alpine Campus in Steamboat is the Ski/Snowboard Guide Certification that is offered there.  This certification teaches the basics of leadership, avalanche safety, guiding skills, and the ins and outs of professional ski (yes I mean snowboard too) guiding through six classes of 16 credits.  This is one of, if not the only, college curriculum that is available for endeavoring ski guides.

I’m currently taking The Business of Ski Guiding, which is taught by Kent Vertrees, the operations manager for Steamboat’s local cat-skiing company, Steamboat Powdercats.  Kent has been working at Powdercats for the past twelve years and has an abundance of knowledge to share about the guided powder skiing industry.

Last week, the class had the opportunity to go investigate the Powdercats’ office, as well as one of their snowcats.  We were able to see firsthand the things that lead to a successful guiding operation.

Two of Chris Davenport’s 58 14er descents.

Taking a look at one of Steamboat Powdercats’ powdercats.

Some of Steamboat’s sidecountry terrain. Mt. Werner is visible on the left third of the frame in the background.

Every week, the class conducts at least one interview over the phone with different industry proffesionals.  We’ve had the opportunity to interview the marketing manager at Mica Heli-skiing; the premiere heli-skiing operation in the world.   Mica’s formula for success is a mix of a huge amount of epic terrain, with very few of the down days that plague most helicopter skiing operations.

Last week, we had the incredible fortune of interviewing professional skier Chris Davenport, the only man to climb and ski all of Colorado’s 14ers in one year.  Chris has risen the ranks of skiing over the years due in large part to his incredible focus and self-promotion. After winning his first World Freeskiing Championship, Chris immediately wrote a business plan on how he would utilize his crown to continue down the road of professional skiing and guiding.

But how can a Business of Ski Guiding class be useful to anyone not interested in becoming a guide, or working at a guiding operation? Simple.  This class is first, a small business class.  We have learned all about marketing, risk management, business plans, management, competitive and market analysis, in the context of a ski guiding operation.  What better way to learn about small business than the exciting field of ski guiding?

Personally, the Business of Ski Guiding has excited me about the prospects of operating a small business.  Never before have I considered taking business classes, but the Business of Ski Guiding changed all of that.

The Business of Ski Guiding and the Guiding Certificate offered at Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat is only one of the things that make it the best school to go to for a skier/snowboarder.  Nowhere else can an avid skier/rider go to a school where they can learn about various aspects of the snow sports industry, be surrounded in every direction by incredible terrain, and live less than ten minutes from one of the world’s premiere resorts.  No other college or university, at least to my knowledge, combines these elements in the way CMC Alpine does.

Some of Steamboat’s sidecountry terrain. Mt. Werner is visible on the left third of the frame in the background.

So, what do you think? Are there better schools out there for skiers or snowboarders? I don’t think so, but maybe you can persuade me.  Leave a comment about your school or other schools that you think are great for avid skiers and snowboarders.

 

A Rabbit Ears Mtn. Bike Adventure

The Wyoming, Continental Divide, and Dumont trails all refer to the same trail in the region between Steamboat and Rabbit Ears Pass.  Featured in this year’s Steamboat Springs bike ride, the trail starts near Dumont Lake on the pass, winds through the backcountry to the top of Mt. Werner, and then descends into town.  In total, the route is 24 miles, 8 of which are downhill.  Be wary, however, for this route takes you into the middle of nowhere, where a forgotten extra tube can mean a grueling hike out towards civilization.  If you prepare correctly, this can be an amazing tour of the lesser seen forests surrounding Steamboat.

The day was beautiful, hardly a cloud in the sky.  September is an amazing month for mountain biking.  The cool fall air and explosions of colored leaves demonstrated this point clearly.  The trail is flat for the first few miles, and in certain places creeks have overcome the trail and some creative route-finding is needed to cross.  While the majority of the trail is rolling with little uphill, the three or four distinctive uphills are rocky and technical.  After cruising down the first short downhill, rocks abundant, I felt the all-too-familiar drag of a flat tire.  We were prepared, changed the tube, and were ready to go in minutes.  This was not the only tube we would go through.  We had to change three tubes in our group of three throughout the journey.

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The trail passes an assortment of lakes including Long’s Lake located at the end of Fish Creek Falls trail.  Once there, the summit of Mt. Werner, and an epic downhill, are near.  The ride down begins on Pete’s Wicked Trail, which is no understatement (Apparently, Pete started the mountain bike program at Steamboat and designed the trail. And now you know.)  You would think you weren’t on a trail with the amount of large rocks that litter it.  After our tube change debacle, and with a hard tail in the group, we decided to to take the mellower Cathy’s Cutoff at their intersection.  The long downhill had my already-tired muscles burning, but the adrenaline kept me going.  We rolled all of the way to Cruiser’s to finish the ride with some delicious sandwiches.

Overall, the ride wasn’t as strenuous as I thought it would be.  It was much more technical than I expected though.  Although fall has just begun, there aren’t many days to go out and enjoy its splendor.  Get out and hike, bike, climb, and fish before the snow engulfs our beautiful mountain community.

A Trip to the Nature Conservancy

The beautiful Yampa River as it rolls along the Carpenter Ranch.

Today my Intro to Environmental Science class took a trip to the local Nature Conservancy site located on the Carpenter Ranch outside of Hayden, CO.  The ranch sits along the Yampa River, the last relatively free-flowing river in America, and the unique ecosystem it fosters.  Because the Yampa is free-flowing, it creates flood plains, oxbow lakes, and streambeds dry to channels.  This unique habitat has supported the evolution of an unlikely trio of plants, unseen together anywhere else in the world.  Here at the Carpenter Ranch, narrowleaf cottonwoods, box elders, and red-osier dogwoods grow together to create a riparian habitat that is entirely unique to Colorado and the world.  The environment, however, is not without its challenges.

A ranch that neighbors the Carpenter Ranch has their irrigation pump built in one of the formerly filled in channels created by a free-flowing, dynamic, and natural river.  In order to get the water needed for their crops, the ranchers have dug the channel deeper, as well as broken down any beaver dams existing in the channel.  This struggle occurs every year and constantly diverts from the river’s natural flow.  The Nature Conservancy is working towards a solution though.  They have proposed that the rancher’s build a new irrigation pump directly on the main channel of the river, on the Conservancy’s property.  This is an incredible offer by the Conservancy, and truly shows the organization’s dedication to the natural environment.  Unfortunately, the ranchers have so far opted to not spend the additional money to install the new pump.

While the battle of conservation might often seem like a losing battle, it is important to remember how many amazing people and organizations that are fighting for the natural beauty of the United States and the world.  With their help, and yours, it is possible for humans to continue to decrease our impact on our beautiful planet.  Thanks to the Nature Conservancy and Carpenter Ranch for showing us an amazing time.      To plan a trip to your local Nature Conservancy site, go to nature.org.