Andy (adimmen on TGR), his buddy Mike, and I decided to go for some short, bang-for-your-buck lines in the Tenmile this past Sunday. Originally we were looking at something a bit more committing in either the Gores or the Elks, but proximity and the prospect of getting a good night sleep in our own beds ultimately won out. Wheeler’s North Face seemed like it could provide just the right mix of challenging climbing and skiing. Read more…
Well my buddy Brian managed to do it again…talk me into another line in the Gores that is. For the past several months Dr. Miller has been slowly but surely convincing me to stop focusing so intently on skiing 14ers, and start focusing more on skiing obscure, aesthetic lines in places I’ve never explored. Brian has never been a list ticker, in fact he detests the concept. He argues that it cheapens the true (and also healthy) spirit behind mountaineering. Keep reading…
With unseasonably high temps and instability lurking in the snow pack statewide, I was a little hesitant to drive to Lake City for an attempt on Wetterhorn. Upon seeing the overnight freeze was forecast to be around 32 degrees, we decided to give it a shot at the last minute. Partners for this trip ended up being Wes, with whom I have skied several peaks over the years, as well as David and Tyler. Keep reading…
This snow year, while extremely plump everywhere else in the state, has been less than stellar for these poor peaks, so needless to say I’m happy to have gotten down there for one. I’m also happy to have gotten out with two new partners, Scott Borger and Brennan Metzler, with whom I had exchanged emails but never actually met prior to this trip. The six of us set off at 6:30 or so, initially booting up dry road with a few intermittent snow drifts. Overall we were content though as we were able to park within a half mile of the Lily Lakes TH. Keep reading…