Making The Best Of It

With the lack of snow we have had this year in Colorado we decided to pursue snow elsewhere. Fortunately for me this post is called "Off The Grid", so Paul and I went off the grid to find some snow.

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Jan 2, 2012 we met up in Georgetown and headed up to Mt. Trelease. We carried up out boards in ski mode until we got to enough snow to skin. After skinning up partway I had trouble with the skin on my right ski not sticking anymore...

Photo: Paul Bourdon

Photo: Cory Arola

Paul continued up to the top of the run, I changed over and had to hike about 100 yards to the top of the line. We hydrated and got ready to drop. It was pretty awesome riding a wind crust over 14 inches of facets, almost like a pow day after riding in resorts all season.

Photo: Paul Bourdon

Photo: Cory Arola

At the bottom of the line we changed back over to tour mode, luckily my skins adhered this time. Tip: keep them warm in your coat so the glue works. Motoring back up an already set skin tract we gain the top of the line again and ate a lunch.

Photo: Paul Bourdon

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Cory Arola

Changing over we dropped in for a second run....

Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Paul Bourdon

We road as far as the snow would allow then hiked the rest of the way back to the truck.

Photo: Cory Arola

Of course the Lucky Bunny    Photo: Cory Arola

Photo: Paul Bourdon

It was a great way to start the year off!

A look at our turns   Photo: Cory Arola

The Endless Winter: St. Mary's Full Moon Ride

With all the hunting I have been doing it was a struggle to find time to snowboard in September.  Then it hit me, why not use nights? I came up with the plan to hike up to St. Mary's glacier for the full moon. I figured with the reflection off of the snow it would plenty bright for some fun. We got started up the glacier a little later than we had anticipated because of happy hour at Smokin' Yard in Idaho Springs. Their sliders are incredible by the way, I highly recommend it.

Photo: Paul Bourdon

The anticipation was towards sunset glacier shots and rising moon shots. Like I said, we were too late for sunset and there was so much cloud cover we couldn't see the moon. We salvaged a few shots we had in mind and then continued to hike up.

Endless Winter  Photo: Cory Arola

St. Mary's Glacier  Photo: Paul Bourdon

While messing with the cameras and tripods, we could feel the chill in the air. Seasons were changing. From that point on we wore coats, gloves and hats. Amazingly two days later, at that altitude and higher it snowed.

Ascent and descent  Photo: Paul Bourdon

Paul making some turns.  Photo: Cory Arola

The snow was extremely suncupped and rock hard. It was a fight for every turn.

Photo: Paul Bourdon

Photo: Cory Arola

It wasn't one of our better ideas, and the lack of moon light made it even harder. Our visibility was very limited due to just the light of our head lamps.

Lucky Bunny  Photo: Cory Arola

It was quite and adventure, I was stoked just to be out doing it again and getting even more amped for this season to start.

Heart Lake

I drive through traffic heading out of the city to the mountains. Heading to meet Zaida at the designated rendezvous parking lot to load all of the backpacking gear in my truck and make our way to the trailhead. This is Zaida's first backpacking experience, I have selected a well know area only 1:15 min drive from town. The James Peak Wilderness is full of lakes, so lush the flowers were in full glory.

Friday night after arriving at the trailhead, we changed into some warmer clothes and then repacked Zaida's pack. As I said before this was her first trip and we were getting her squared away. I explained how to distribute weight, to keep the balance centered, and how to utilize all space available. With the packs packed, we cracked a couple beers and lounged to enjoy the evening. Enjoying the evening consisted of great weather, beautiful scenery and train driving by about every 30 min followed by the tunnel's venting system which ran for about 20 min a time. Did I mention that the James Peak Wilderness is at the east portal of the Moffat tunnel? The Moffat tunnel is a railroad and water tunnel that cuts through the Continental Divide connecting Rollinsville and Winter Park. We spent the night in the back of the truck at the trailhead with anticipation of getting an early start Saturday hiking. Soon the monotonousness of the trains and fans were easily ignored as we slept. Rising with the sun, we ate and dressed and began our journey up the South Boulder Creek Trail, destination Heart Lake. We began up the trail, stopping only to rest as I took pictures, making the 4 mile hike in about 3 hours.

By the time we reached Heart Lake Zaida was worn out, and I myself was ready to drop my pack.We circled the lake to the far side and got into the alpine brush, putting our packs down we searched for an appropriate campsite, sheltered and away from people. I mean who wants to go backpacking around other people, this isn't car camping! We found a great flat spot that gave us morning and afteroon sun, with a sheltered cooking area.

As we sent up the tent and began to unpack, we realized no more that 75 yards away was a marmot den. We got to watch them sun and eat and play the entire trip!

After setting up camp we grabbed our water filter and headed to the lake. With all the camp chores done we got to relax and play the rest of the day away!

 I put my pole together and fished Zaida decided that the water was warm enough to swim... there is no way I was getting in that water! Zaida swam, I didn't catch any fish, but saw some beautiful Greenback Cutthroat Trout swimming around. 

We had gorgeous weather that day! The night became windy and we woke up to clouds in the morning. After sleeping in and having a peaceful breakfast, we leisurely packed up. Heading dow the trail I was worried about the impending rain cloud building behind us.

We reached the trailhead, packed up, changed, and began to drive away as a light rain started. As we continued the drive home in the rain, which turned into a downpour, we reflected on how fun the trip was, and talked about how we are fortunate enough to live in this amazing state!

All Photos by Cory Arola

Chicken Strip

2:30 A.M. Sunday August 7^th I rolled over and pulled a second cover over me in bed. Two hours later I awoke to my alarm, I hopped in the shower. While making breakfast I was chilled, I thought it was nothing more than being wet from my shower. I dressed quickly, putting on soccer shorts and a t-shirt, and grabbed my pack, board and boot, which where all waiting by the door. 
I opened the door to go out and load my truck. To my surprise a brisk morning chill hit me. I turned around and grabbed a fleece to wear. In our planning to snowboard in August we anticipated warm to hot weather. 
One week before, while doing the Jones Pass “Lucky U” line I had worn the same and being comfortable, I planned to dress similarly. I mean it’s one week later and the beginning of August. 
After I met up with Paul in Idaho Spring, we headed to Breckenridge to get to Boreas Pass. As we drove we made a few comments about how cold it was. We found our line as we drove up the pass.

Our line from the Boreas Pass RD.  Photo: Paul Bourdon

Flowers along Boreas Pass RD.  Photo: Cory Arola

Of course a photo of the Lucky Bunny every trip.  Photo: Cory Arola

We four-wheeled up a side road to get as close as we could to shorten our approach.  By four-wheeled I mean we drove Paul’s Subaru over some pretty rough, rocky terrain. Once passing a lifted Jeep with large mudder tires. If you drive smart you can get those Subies through some rough terrain!


After we parked we immediately put the snowpants on. Both of us had planned to carry them in the packs to make hiking easier, however with the air temp being mid 40’s our minds were changed. The aspect we were choosing to ride was a SW facing slope so it was receiving shade throughout the morning, so our hike was receiving shade as well. After hiking we began to warm up, but as we began the climb a chilly, stiff breeze consistently blew. There was no chance of getting too hot on this August morning. We made the climb up the hillside parallel to the strip of snow we had chosen. 

Base of our line. Photo: Paul Bourdon

Starting the pain train up....  Photo: Paul Bourdon

Climbing with Breckenridge Ski Area in the background.  Photo: Paul Bourdon

One week before, at the top of our line, we lounged in shorts and T’s, however at the top of the “Chicken Strip” we immediately put on shells and hats to stay warm.  Paul made the comment, “At 13000’ summer doesn’t last long.” He was indeed correct. August 7^th and we were already starting to feel the chill in the air of our cold season making its way back. Winter is on its way back!

Sitting at the top of the "Chicken Strip".  Photo: Cory Arola

After snacking, snapping photos, and hydrating we decided that we had waited long enough for the snow to soften.
Boy, were we in for a surprise. Due to the aspect, the snow received sun for the latter part of the day, reaching its most softened/melted condition as the sun set. With the night cooling down so much, likely freezing some night, we were riding rock hard snow.  The “Chicken Strip” turned out to be the gnarliest line we had hit all summer. It was sun cupped, runnelled and choked pretty good at its mid-point. Every turn was a battle for control, edge hold was sufficient, however neither of us wanted to go for a slide into any rocks.

Above photos by Cory Arola and Paul Bourdon done by the person who is not in the photo, obviously...

We made the 1214’ descent, stoked just to be out on our boards. 

Paul's Malolo. Photo: Paul Bourdon

Cory's Supermodel.  Photo: Cory Arola

We walked back to the car changed and hung out in an old, collapsing wooden cabin near to where we parked. The view from the window was amazing.

Can you see Quandary? Photo: Paul Bourdon

Photo: Paul Bourdon

The Subie. Photo: Paul Bourdon

We are well into riding every month of 2011, already scouting lines out for September.  It sure feels great to be out on the snow, on my board so frequently year round.  As I write this, I am planning on a quick backpack trip this weekend into the James Peak Wilderness. Taking a friend on her first backpacking exploration. Trying to get off the grid every chance I get.

Our line, the "Chicken Strip" from Boreas Pass Rd. Photo: Cory Arola