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Mt. Bancroft – East Ridge Direct

October 18, 2016

Fall was having a slower start than usual in the high country. Winter was nowhere in sight and warm temperatures seemed to keep everyone’s minds on summer activities. The East Ridge Direct route of the 13,250 ft. Mt. Bancroft had been on my list for a while. Justin Ibarra and Pat “Perry” Johnson were interested in the idea so we decided to give it a go. After a bit of research to gain the necessary knowledge of the route, we figured out the gear we would need and set off early from Summit County.Read More »Mt. Bancroft – East Ridge Direct

SE Gore Range Snow Observations 12/19/16

Snow observations from the SE Gore Range, Summit County: The overall depth of snow has really increased in the past week. I performed a quick snow profile on a SE face, slope angle of 32 degrees, below treeline, at an elevation of 11,000 ft. around 10:50 AM. No wind loading was evident in this area although wind loading is prevalent above treeline and would most likely hold a different looking snow pack than what was observed here. The average depth of the snow pack in this area was 100-110 cm. From the ground to a depth of 20 cm a… Read More »SE Gore Range Snow Observations 12/19/16

Breckenridge Front Range Snow Observations 12/5/16

Snowpack observations from today, 12/5, from the Front Range area near Breckenridge, Summit County: The snowpack is finally starting to get a bit deeper around here but is holding more problematic layers. After skinning to the top of our objective I performed a quick snow profile at 3:00 PM on a NE facing slope around 11,700 ft. The slope angle was 34 degrees. The snowpack was wind loaded in this area and the average snow depth was 60 to 65 cm. From the ground to a height of 15 cm a depth hoar is becoming well formed with facets from… Read More »Breckenridge Front Range Snow Observations 12/5/16

Mayflower Gulch Snow Observations 11/29/16

Some observations from yesterday, 11/29, Mayflower Gulch, Tenmile Range, Summit County: Skinning up to and above treeline no significant whumpfing or cracking was observed, even in windloaded areas. A snow profile performed on a NE aspect at treeline, 11,800 ft, with a slope angle of 27 degrees, at 2:22 PM revealed the following observations: The average snow depth was 40 to 45 cm. From the ground to a depth of 6 cm unconsolidated facets of 1 – 2 mm were observed. Above 6 cm to 24 cm the facets were about the same but slightly more consolidated. At a depth… Read More »Mayflower Gulch Snow Observations 11/29/16

Shit For Brains Couloir

April 6, 2016

Spring was on its way, allowing the snow pack to consolidate as warming temperatures allowed for melt/freeze cycles here in Summit County. With a bluebird day in the forecast, Lexie Anderson and I ventured outside of Arapahoe Basin’s inbound terrain in hopes of descending the Shit for Brains couloir. We planned to ascend a western ridge south of Grizzly Peak and traverse Black Mountain to reach the line from above.Read More »Shit For Brains Couloir