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Patrick

Mohawk Lakes Traverse (Helen Mt. – Father Dyer Peak – Crystal Peak – Pacific Peak)

June 28, 2016

Temperatures began to rise and the remaining alpine snow was quickly disappearing before our eyes. Summer was finally beginning to dominate the high country. Pat “Perry” Johnson and I were eager to transition into approaches involving lighter packs and routes with more rock than snow. We planned for a full day in the alpine knowing that the weather would be bluebird and warm.Read More »Mohawk Lakes Traverse (Helen Mt. – Father Dyer Peak – Crystal Peak – Pacific Peak)

Mosquito Range Splitboard Camping Trip

5/22/16 – 5/23/16

Another season of snowboarding and splitboarding was making its transformation into the phase Colorado backcountry enthusiasts love, spring. With a (mostly) stable snowpack, longer days, and warmer temperatures, spring gives us the opportunity to pursue bigger lines that we may have avoided during the the mid-winter. This particular spring was blessed with an abundance of upslope snow storms, which filled in areas that may have previously been unrideable.

With some camping in mind, Pat “Perry” Johnson and I chose a zone not too far from home that holds access to some great terrain. Camping above treeline and having the ability to explore some new surroundings with little to no approach is always a real treat. After a bit of discourse we decided to venture above Wheeler Lakes Trail and find a spot well above treeline under Traver Peak.Read More »Mosquito Range Splitboard Camping Trip

Peak One

March 8, 2016

The beginning of February brought us some really good powder here in Summit County. Just as things were shaping up to be a promising month for snow, a trend of warm weather began and persisted for a period that had everyone dreaming of more pow days. The mild temperatures were a nice break from the ice climbing and avalanche safety level 2 classes I took at CMC Breckenridge. During the avalanche level 2 class we performed snow profiles all around Summit County and things were looking quite stable. Thanks Dan Moroz for such a great class!

Pat “Perry” Johnson and I decided to take advantage of the relatively stable conditions and go after a bigger line. After some thought we decided to climb Peak One from Mt. Royal and tentatively descend the eastern ridge, leaving us some room to judge the conditions once onsite and maybe take a different line.  We skinned up to the top of Mt. Royal and transitioned to crampons at the start of the ridge to the summit of Peak One.Read More »Peak One

Longs Peak – Keyhole Route

10/11/15 – 10/12/15

Summer was fading away and fall was already in full force in the high country. Pat “Perry” Johnson and I decided it was time to knock out a Front Range 14er that we had waited to do until tourist season was over, Longs Peak. We planned to depart from the trailhead in Estes Park on a Sunday morning, camp at the Boulder Field right below the Keyhole, and summit Longs Peak the following day. This would hopefully ensure relatively low traffic on the route and allow us to enjoy an unfamiliar area without the congestion it typically attracts in the summer months. I talked to a ranger a few days before to make sure a campsite was available and work out any fees we would need to pay before heading up on the mountain. He informed me that the Trough section of the route contained both ice and snow so I decided it was a good idea for Perry and I to bring an ice axe and crampons to be on the safe side.Read More »Longs Peak – Keyhole Route

Front Range Splitboarding 12/6/15

December 6, 2015

Pat “Perry” Johnson and I ventured into a new zone in the Front Range with relatively low expectations. Our 7:20 AM trail start was greeted with a frigid 2 degree temperature that kept us in our puffies and insulated gloves well into the approach. After making our way off the well traveled road and towards our objective we were greeted with warming temperatures and sunny skies.Read More »Front Range Splitboarding 12/6/15