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The Colorado Conditions, Meet ups and General Talk Thread

644K views 8K replies 303 participants last post by  bseracka 
#1 ·
I know it's early, but damn, we need some snow.

Colorado | OpenSnow

That shit looks like a repeat of last season.
 
#6,194 ·
Just quick reminder that all this snow is creating issues in the BC. I am not saying don't go out, but to be mindful. Terrain choices are key here.

CAIC said:
Snowfall is decreasing in the Front Range zone, but the winds are not. Storm totals are in the 5 to 8" range across the zone, but over 15" on Berthoud Pass. Overnight the winds shifted from the north to the northwest and west. The new snow and wind are driving today's avalanche problems, but the most dangerous areas are where these new layers lay on old weak snow. These are near and above treeline slopes that face northwest, north, northeast, and east. Today you will be able to trigger Persistent Slab avalanches in these areas. The avalanches reported yesterday were small, but winds continue to build new drifts and today's avalanches could be bigger. Even small avalanches can injury or kill you if they push you over a cliff, into rocks or trees, or into a gully.

Along exposed ridgelines, westerly winds have been moving a lot of snow around and forming fresh, stiff slabs of snow. Both natural and triggered Wind Slab avalanches are possible today. You're most likely to encounter this problem on steep wind-loaded slopes in near and above treeline areas.

The snowpack below treeline remains thin and weak. Shallowly buried rocks and stumps are a greater risk than avalanches in these areas. You can still trigger an avalanche if you find an isolated area where a firm, cohesive slab is resting on the old weaker snow. Avoid traveling in gullies or other terrain traps where even a small avalanche could push you into an obstacle or produce a debris pile deep enough to bury you.
And just in case you don't have the link to the avy report: Colorado Avalanche Information Center ?

Read it every day. It only takes a minute or two to get all the info. I don't generally read it on weekends but I do page back to read those days reports on Mondays. By doing this, you'll have solid knowledge of what has been going on with the snow pack in your bc areas for the season.
 
#6,195 ·
Just quick reminder that all this snow is creating issues in the BC. I am not saying don't go out, but to be mindful. Terrain choices are key here.



And just in case you don't have the link to the avy report: Colorado Avalanche Information Center ?

Read it every day. It only takes a minute or two to get all the info. I don't generally read it on weekends but I do page back to read those days reports on Mondays. By doing this, you'll have solid knowledge of what has been going on with the snow pack in your bc areas for the season.
So how often does these avalanches actually happen? Are these frequent avys occurring because the season is starting? Or am I just totally oblivious...
 
#6,196 ·
We have an avalanche death recorded in every month of the year in this state.

Are they frequent? There have been several avalanches already. There was a close call in Crested Butte, there is slide debris observed from several places on Berthoud and Loveland Passes. They can happen daily. If there is enough snow to ride, there is enough to slide, as the saying goes. It is a true statement.

The thing to remember about avalanches is they don't really care what you know or don't know. They will kill you regardless if you travel into their domain at the wrong time. Clueless people to the seasoned avalanche professional. A bad choice is all it takes. It doesn't matter.
 
#6,214 ·
Traveling Walsenberg to Edwards on Friday 11/19

Hello,

I'll be traveling to Vail from The People's Republic of Austin today and Friday, in order to avoid the apparent I-70 Friday weather clusterfuck, I'm thinking of breaking off at Walsenburg and taking Hwy 69 to Hwy 24 to hit I-70 @ Minturn.

Does anyone have an idea of potential road conditions on Hwy 24 between Leadville and Minturn during periods of snow similar to those forecasted for Friday?

Is this a ridiculous idea?

Would Pueblo to Fairplay to Frisco fair better or should I just brave I-70 out of Denver?

I 'll be driving an AWD Subaru and will have chains.

I certainly appreciate any guidance.

Cheers,
Derek
 
#6,215 ·
That route should get you there. Though it might be better to go through Fairplay or even take the interstate all the way around. Unless you are traveling up I70 out of Denver after 4-5pm, it'll probably be just fine. The incoming storm is not supposed to be very huge. Road condition wise, I70 gets plowed more frequently than the surrounding highways.
 
#6,226 ·
Keystone was great today near the top. They had areas closed off and were opening them up for a short period of time giving access to fresh untouched almost knee deep powder. It was the most I've experienced. My buddy went off into the trees and found even deeper pow. My Rome mountain division seemed to float great and did its job in the hard packed icier areas. Hopefully this storm tonight in Vail delivers for tomorrow.

The boot threads and wiredsports advice really helped me as well, my new wide boots that fit corectly were awesome even on the first day and my calves feel fine which has never happened the first day I ride hard after not going for a while. Good times.
 
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