Cheese-O starts things off on the death sastrugi nicely framed by James Peak

Cheese-O drops in smoothly above St. Mary's Lake

Highroller's descent route involved blowing his second or third turn coming into the drop, sliding headfirst out of control right into and thru this cluster of mountaineering students and scattering crampons, packs and ropes the rest of the way down the slope...nice!

Chainsaw, Lee, Cheese-O and Allison head up for another run while Highroller drags his battered pride up Fox Mtn

My left foot, high above St. Mary's Lake

Finally! The summit of Fox Mtn is mine, all mine!

Pete's backcountry escape to Steamboat over the weekend...the 'mobile might be cheating but it's tough to argue with the view. Uno finishes off a run in the untouched...

Could that be Uno throwing down some AT turns in the luscious pow?

Yep, that's pure midwest style right there!

Looks nice!

Horses for courses

Bring on the pain! www.cosmicski.com

Arapaho Lakes tour

A nice day out with the typical first outing minor mishaps - frozen hydration hose, cold fingers, forgotten equipment - but a nice taste of cold air, wind, new snow, and a good group. Didn't make it up to Arapaho Lakes - that will wait for a day with less wind and more fitness.


Matt on the dreaded bridge traverse

Out in the sun (of which there was not much) on the south facing traverse on the Forest Lakes trail


Matt trying to follow the vicious skin track set by John. Up and up towards Arapaho Lakes...

Rose navigates the heavy snow with determination



Telemark poetry in action...

December 3 and we make our first tele outing of the season on a stellar tour up to Arapahoe Lakes from the East Portal TH. Steve-O and John joined Chainsaw breaking trail under splitter skies and minimal wind in the trees. I managed to remember a few things from last season but the rust was plentiful! We're aiming for 12+ bc outings this season so strap 'em on and join us!

Early morning chill as we head for sunlight

Steve forges ahead on the traverse up towards Forest Lakes

Spindrift in the sun but we were pretty sheltered in the trees. Breaking trail earned us some solitude and fresh tracks on the descent.

Chainsaw leads Steve-O up the steep hump to treeline near Arapahoe Lakes...need to get heel lifts!

Turns officially earned, now time to drop in...

Banzaii! Chainsaw digs deep to avoid pitching into the tree well. Thick heavy snow and some tight trees made crankin' my 191s around a bit of a struggle but everyone avoided eating bark so we'll call it a win