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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.
 
#2,857 ·
...That and living in/close to the mountains you can often participate in both types, winter & spring activities,.. for a time anyway. Argo was getting summer laps in Aug. iir! :thumbsup:


Until I get my Harley, (...or a Baja board) none of my other activities are anywhere near as fun for me as snowboarding is.
 
#2,859 ·
When you have 80 - 100 days out you see all types of snow and conditions, at some point it starts to wear out. I personally don't want winter to end, but I'll be happy with one more day out for the season. Maybe a few quick laps here and there before Basin closes 6/1....but overall, pretty fucking rad season!
 
#2,862 ·
When you clock around 75 days by X Mas and continue on that streak there comes a point you just say you're over it. I spent the last 100 days riding a different board a day practically for reviews. As mentioned it just wears on you so much. My body held up exceptionally well this year, but I'm not feeling the effects of slams, twists, and sprains plus the normal wear and tear.

Breckenridge really doesn't have too much of a spring or so it would seem right now. Took the girls dog for a walk and it was just snowing lightly all day and the high was around 28. This pattern will more than likely continue for another week, then maybe a quick spring and hopefully right into summer. I'm ready to hang out with kids at Woodward and skate the bowl, rehab the body, and train this pup how to kill and sick balls.
 
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#2,872 ·
Did Square Top (13,794') yesterday. Fucking cloud blocked the sun for the entire hike up. A little over four hours, six miles, and 3800 climbed or so. The North Chute was bullet proof. The sun came out but it was too late for that shot. We hiked back down the ridge to the bowl above Duck Lake. Got over 2k vert of creamy corn.

Bonus for the day, we did not see a single soul aside from our party of two. Great day.

Right now is probably the best spring conditions of the year. Time to get your peaks in.

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#2,873 ·
I attempted to do Square Top today (Sunday) and was turned around by heavy winds. I just descended the face overlooking Naylor Lake and road back to the parking lot from there.. per the GPS: about 3 miles and 1500 vert. I was on snowshoes testing out a setup: verdict- my boots work well for the uphill, but not enough support for carving on the downhill.....
 
#2,875 · (Edited)
Yeah, drove up from Georgetown. The road was closed at the turn-off for Naylor Lake, just past the Guanella Pass campground.

I don't have a splitboard, so the snowboard was on my back like a sail in the wind. I had to lean forward into the headwind a few times.

This trip was the first solo back-country trip for me in a long time.... not impressive by any standard, but it was a blast.
vid of descent ...



the track on the left was the ascent and then the ascent goes over to peer over the face to evaluate a route down. The route down crossed over the ascent then went down a face... the snow felt very stable, riding through the trees was a bit tight.

Map Geological phenomenon Line Geology Mountain pass



hid behind this wind lip and decided to descend because of the wind...

Mountainous landforms Mountain Geological phenomenon Ridge Snow
 
#2,877 · (Edited)
Did not think you could make it to Naylor. Looks like you did all the hard stuff. Once you are on top of that climb that was just above where you turned around, it is easy goimg to the summit. I don't think you climb 100 vert from that point on. Of course if the winds are howling, it would be miserable.

474" is a huge season for the Luv. Solid year for sure.

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#2,879 ·
There will be plenty of snow up high during those dates, and access roads should be much more passable.

One thing you may want to consider with your objectives. How remote they are. Square Top does not see much if any traffic right now. Which is awesome. If you are going solo though, maybe not the best thing. Injuries and epics happen. If you don't have a partner, sometimes a long haul out with a friend becomes deadly without. Don't take this as scolding or anything, just something to think about.

Of course that means if you are going by yourself, I am suggesting doing some of the busier spots, just so that if an injury happens, you'll have people who can help. Quandary, Torrey's, Buffalo, Hagar, Citidel, and other spots have enough traffic that someone should be around that can help you that day. Not days later.

I don't go solo very often anymore, but when I do, I try to stick to areas where passer byes are at least semi frequent. I didn't used to do that, but after seeing some really bad scenarios happen to strangers, it just made sense. Plus by doing that you tend to meet people who may have the same interests as you and find some partners that work with your schedule.
 
#2,880 · (Edited)
That's actually very good advice. Going solo wasn't my preference, but it's hard to find partners. I hear that spilt-boarders are way faster than snowshoeing snowboarders and it's nice to be able to go at your pace without worrying about slowing people down. The "aloneness factor" was interesting in that it was very present in my mind, especially on the descent, and it affected my riding style to a degree. I had a great partner in my college days, but now, not so much.

Torreys is on my mind. I thought about Quandary, but it's a bit of a long drive for what it looks like I would ride (assuming coming down the east ridge). I have never heard of Buffalo, Hagar, Citidel. Where are they?
 
#2,881 ·
Hagar and Citadel are located in Dry Gulch. I believe they are both in that drainage. One of them might put you in Herman Gulch.

Buffalo, is that big ass mountain on looker right as you drive from the tunnel into Silverthorne. The Silver Couloir on the North-Northeast side is considered to be once of the classic couloirs in North America and it is. It is also a very popular hike at this time of year. No lack of people headed up to the summit. The Silver is popular, but I don't think a quarter of the people headed up there drop the Silver.

The East face of Quandary is a nice long drop. I've done it a couple of times now. Last time was June 14th of last year. Last run of the season for me. The Cristo Couloir is nice and steep, though it may already be melted out to some degree.
 
#2,885 ·
I'm looking to do some bc riding this weekend. It's gonna be a solo mission on Friday and then with a group on Saturday and Sunday. With the weather rolling in though, it complicates some of our plans. I'm thinking that the high altitude stuff may be out of the question with the snow in the forecast but the lower down stuff is quickly melting away.

I'm looking for some suggestions for possible places to go this weekend. RMNP might be fun. Anyone know if Hidden Valley is still ridable right now?
 
#2,889 ·
Saturday is going to be a mixed bag. Kind of looking like dust on crust. Sunday might be a full on powder day. I haven't been up to Bert in awhile, but I got to think there is plenty of snow up there. Probably not a bad spot.

RMNP is hard to guess. Check with Climbing life guides to see what they are reporting the conditions as. They spend more time riding and skiing the park than anyone else I know of.
 
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