News from the Deep White

Group proposes new plan for backcountry huts

2008-04-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

WHISTLESTOP: Teaming with railroad, Forest Service may be solution.

By MELISSA DeVAUGHN
mdevaughn@adn.com
Anchorage Daily News
Published: April 5th, 2008 11:14 PM

Last fall, the Alaska Mountain and Wilderness Huts Association felt battle weary.

For a decade, the nonprofit had worked to create a system of mountain huts hikers could use while exploring the backcountry. The group envisioned something based loosely on the hut-to-hut system in some European countries at which caretakers serve meals and offer hikers a place to sleep overnight.

[full story]

Dylan Crossman Wins at Freeskiing Nationals, Takes Second at World Telemark Freeskiing Championship

2008-04-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

Mammut Snow Athlete Dylan Crossman Wins at Freeskiing Nationals, Takes Second at World Telemark Freeskiing Championship

Shelburne, VT, April 7th, 2008 — Mammut Sports Group, providers of Swiss quality alpine and snow gear and apparel, is proud to have telemark freeskier skier Dylan Crossman on their athlete roster, and with good reason. Crossman tore through the month of March on the Freeskiing competition circuit in both telemark and alpine disciplines, winning the Subaru U.S. Freeskiing Nationals on March 22nd at Utah's Snowbird Ski Resort, and taking 2nd place at the first annual World Telemark Freeskiing Championships on March 31st at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska.

[Full story]

Backcountry Film Festival Tonight!

2008-03-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

We'll be hosting the Backcountry Film Festival at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden tonight! Doors will open at 6:30pm. Admission is $8/person and includes one entry to win great swag from Keen, Mountain Khakis, Backcountry.com, Black Diamond, and others. You can purchase additional tickets for the giveaway for $1 each (or 5/$3 and 10/$5).

We hope to see you at the festival for a great time for a great cause!

An Interview with Author/Photographer Peter Bronski

2008-03-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Boulder-based adventure writer and photographer Peter Bronski has been digging around Colorado history, researching backcountry skiing at Colorado's abandoned ski areas. He is researching the defunct hills for his forthcoming book, Powder Ghost Towns: The Backcountry Skier’s Guide to Colorado’s Lost Ski Areas. BSA caught up with Peter, fresh off an assignment at the Chic Choc Lodge for Vermont Sports Magazine.

* * *

BSA:
Your writing portfolio is diverse, with work for publications including Appalachia, Golf Course Management, International Cemetery and Funeral Management, and Rocky Mountain Sports, among many others. Tell us about your writing path – how did you get here?

PB:
My writing career started quite by accident. During my senior year at Cornell University, where I was earning a degree in Natural Resources, I took a course in "non-fiction writing for magazines." That course was a true catalyst for me. It exposed me to the craft and profession of writing, and in a sense, I haven't looked back since.

Later that same year, I sold my first piece, about rock climbing at the Gunks in New York. One of my photos was published as the cover shot of the magazine. I spent a long time in the trenches, writing more articles, and building my reputation. Now, some seven years later, I've won a few prestigious awards, and published a few books (At the Mercy of the Mountains: True Stories of Survival and Tragedy in New York's Adirondacks was just published by The Lyons Press. I have two more on the way later this year: Hunting Wind, about storm chasing, and Powder Ghost Towns, the lost ski area bc skiing guidebook).

Although my writing is fairly diverse, I do focus on a few key subject areas: outdoor adventure, environment, travel and culture, food and wine, and human interest profiles. Beyond that, I cover stories as they interest me, or as my editors offer them to me. I just returned from a great assignment - backcountry skiing at the Chic Choc Lodge in Quebec.

BSA:
Your first book, At the Mercy of the Mountains just came out. Describe releasing your first book.

PB:
At the Mercy of the Mountains was a long process. Work on the book started in January 2005, but the concept much earlier. I was living in the southern Adirondacks, and was part of the local search and rescue group, Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue. I wrote an article about the Thomas Carleton search and LASAR for Adirondack Life Magazine. Soon after, I felt the time was right for a ‘biggest misadventures book.’ Similar books had been written about other mountain ranges, but the Adirondacks had been seemingly overlooked.

Lyons Press was the publisher for the book and the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. I’ll soon begin planning a tour for this summer. There should be reviews coming from outdoor magazines soon.

BSA:
You have another book, about storm chasers in Tornado Alley, in the works. Tell me about your research for Hunting Wind...

PB:
I’m co-authoring with Roger Hill, one of the nation’s top storm chasers. He’s seen more than 350 tornadoes. I met Roger through the Denver Stormchasing Convention, while researching an article on local storm chasers for 5280 Magazine. The book provides a great mix of highlights from Roger’s career and major events in storm chasing history.

BSA:
Talk about Powder Ghost Towns...

PB:
This one has been a lot of fun researching. I have to give credit for the idea to two other people. A friend named Tom Hudson told me about the New England Lost Ski Areas Project, and a local version: Colorado Ski History. Tom’s idea was to find and ski these old ski areas as backcountry skiers. I wrote a piece for 5280 Magazine titled “Powder Stash,” about that experience. The book would eventually grow out of this.

While researching “Powder Stash” I was skiing at Geneva Basin with another friend, Andrew Jones. Andrew suggested that a lost ski areas guidebook would be a great resource. He was right. Wilderness Press picked up the book, which will be published in October 2008 in time for the 08/09 winter season.

Colorado has approximately 200 lost ski areas. However, a lot of these areas are of little interest to backcountry skiers due to lack of snow and vertical, and in some instances, private property. Powder Ghost Towns will include 35-40 of the best destinations – places where you’ll find great snow, good vertical, and pieces of Colorado’s skiing history. In that sense, Powder Ghost Towns is one part history and one part guidebook.

BSA:
What is your goal for Powder Ghost Towns? Where will the book fit in the Colorado skier's collection?

PB:
Powder Ghost Towns is a fully functional guidebook, with the traditional information like trailheads, approaches, vertical, and mileage. I’ve also provided closest Snotel information for checking conditions, as well as CAIC forecast zones. It’s meant to be an all-inclusive information source for how to find and ski these areas. This book is really aimed at enhancing the backcountry experience with the history of the skiing.

BSA:
Colorado sees a fair amount of localism in protecting backcountry ski zones. Have you encountered any of this opposition to your writing?

PB:
Not directed at me. When I began this project, I gave a lot of thought to this issue. A book like this serves to distribute users more widely, reducing crowding. Also, none of these areas are secrets – they were all operating ski areas and were driven to in the past.

BSA:
What information sources have you found in your research for Powder Ghost Towns?

PB:
The Colorado Ski History website and Brad Chamberlain; the Colorado Ski Country USA poster “Colorado’s Lost Resorts;” the Colorado Ski Museum and Resource Center; the United States Forest Service; old newspaper clippings and books; and folks that skied at the areas, especially when other information is scarce.

BSA:
What signs, if any, have remained of the abandoned ski areas you've visited?

PB:
The signs really spanned the gamut. Some places were old and overgrown – unrecognizable as ski areas except for the snow, of course. At others, old buildings, cabins, condos, and even lifts with chairs and cables remain (Cuchara Mountain Resort and Marble Ski Area). In a lot of instances, even in places that have been closed for more than 30 years, the runs have been preserved due to altitude and the slow rate of growth of the trees.

BSA:
What has been your favorite area thus far?

PB:
Cuchara Mountain Resort – it was a surprise. It was eery with so much infrastructure standing and to be the only ones there…it’s a very surreal experience. My understanding is that an inconsistency snowpack was a contributing factor in causing the mountain to close, but when we were there, we enjoyed a deep, consistent snowpack with fresh snow on top.

I also really enjoyed the north side Wolf Creek Pass. And Pioneer near Crested Butte – with old cabins still at base, we were there just after a 54” snowfall. Pioneer had the first overhead chairlift in Colorado, installed in 1939. Although the lift itself is no longer there, you can see the liftline in the trees, clear as day.

Other areas that stick out are Libby Creek (WY), which was surprisingly good. The area holds powder well. Also Geneva Basin, which is close to the Front Range and has open runs.

BSA:
What areas do you have left to research?

PB:
Three in Southwest Colorado – Coal Bank Pass, Stoner, and Mesa Creek, which is popular with backcountry skiers. Also, Chambers Lake near Cameron Pass, a couple areas north of Steamboat, and one area on the west side of the Snowy Range (WY).

BSA:
What's on the burner next for you?

PB:
My magazine writing continues. I’ll be finalizing the Mercy tour for this summer. For Powder Ghost Towns, I’ll have a tour scheduled for October.

I’m also working on a fourth book, The Hardest Year, chronicling my attempt to qualify for the national championships in three sports – ski mountaineering, adventure racing, and XTERRA off-road triathlon. The qualification year will be 2009.

Stats:
Hometown
Farmingdale, NY (on Long Island)

Backcountry skiing in Colorado since
Regularly since the 2004/05 winter season

Preferred method of downhill travel
AT all the way

Family
I live in Boulder with my wife, Kelli, and our dog, Altai

Learn more about Peter's past, current, and future projects online at www.peterbronski.com

Backcountry Film Festival - Fort Collins

2008-03-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Last night, the Northern Front Range Chapter of BSA hosted the 3rd Annual Backcountry Film Festival at the Mountain Shop and Northern Hotel in Old Town Fort Collins. The group's second public event attracted more than 100 attendees in a celebration of the reemergence of a Fort Collins tradition and support for human-powered recreation at Cameron Pass. With more than $700 in swag giveaways, attendees clamored over donated items from Never Summer Nordic Yurts, Mountain Khakis, Keen, Outdoor Research, Chaco, Black Diamond, and others.

The group was able to raise more than $500 on the evening and would like to thank the following organizations for their support:
Black Diamond Equipment, Keen, Chaco, Outdoor Research, Mountain Khakis, Backcountry Provisions, New Belgium Brewing, Never Summer Nordic Yurts, the Ski Shack, and the Mountain Shop.

We'll see you at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden on Friday March 28 for another screening of the film festival. Admissions will be $8 per person and doors will open at 6:30pm.

Wooden Ski Rendezvous 2008

2008-03-05T19:42:00.000-08:00

Our Steamboat Springs area chapter, Friends of Routt Backcountry hosted their annual wooden ski festival February 29 - March 1 at the Columbine Cabins at the base of Hahn's Peak. The festival is a chance for FORB and BSA to thank our members in the greater Steamboat area for their support throughout the year and get the woodies out of the closet.

This year's event included cross country ski races, including the Boil em' Up Race during which racers are required to boil a cup of snow however they like; a Treasure Hunt for the kids, Potluck with live music, and skiiing at Hahn's Peak. A wonderful time was had by all in such a wonderful setting.

Thanks to Leslie Lovejoy and FORB, Backcountry Provisions, Neptune Mountaineering, Mahogany Ridge, Backdoor Sports, Ski Haus, Smartwool, Little Moon Essentials, Ambiente, The Silver Lining, Ace at the Curve Hardware, BAP, Tread of Pioneers Museum, Columbine Cabins, and all those that contributed to this year's event.

We'll see you next February!

Fines for Snowmobile Violators Increase

2008-03-03T10:18:00.000-08:00

Forest Service hikes fines
Aspen Daily News Staff Report

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Fees have gone up, in some cases dramatically, for violations on Colorado’s national forest land.

The fine for using a motorized vehicle, such as a snowmobile or a dirt bike, in a designated wilderness area is now $500, up from $75. The fine for being off of a designated road is now $250, up from $75, and the fine for an unregistered snowmobile went up from $50 to $100. All fines also require a $25 processing fee.

[full story]

Developers look to install chairlifts, happily carving alpine skiers on Pikes Peak

2008-02-29T02:56:00.000-08:00

Former Aspen resident Harvey Carter and a Boulder executive hope to develop a new ski area on the flanks of Pikes Peak. It appears that developing ski areas on private land is the new fad amongst resort developers, once reliant on permits and leasing from the US Forest Service. Echo Mountain Park...Eclipse Snowpark...Hmmm...

Ex-Aspenite hoping to bring ski area to Pikes Peak
Aspen Daily News Staff Report Tuesday February 26, 2008

Famed climber and former Aspen resident Harvey Carter is helping hatch a new ski resort on Pikes Peak within easy striking distance from Colorado Springs.

Carter, the founder of Climbing magazine, recently agreed to sell a 320-acre parcel for $4 million on the famous mountain to John Ball, former chief executive of Boulder-based Eller Industries. Ball is proposing to develop the acreage on Pikes Peak as a ski area, resort and condominiums. [full story]

***

Stay tuned to the Deep White. We'll be running the following stories, in addition to others:
Darkside - one telemark skier's changeover
Gallery from the Wooden Ski Rendezvous
Spring Skiing Wish List
How to approach steep couloirs
End of season gear maintenance
Backcountry Film Festival

Brian

BSA Winter Board of Directors Meeting

2008-02-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

The BSA Board visited the Jackal Hut January 31 - February 2 for our winter meeting. The views were expansive, the snow deep and creamy, the energy high, and company great.

BSA Board of Directors Ski Day at Cameron Pass

2008-01-11T11:12:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was jammed full of skiing fun. After a solid work week following the New Years holiday, Zac Wiebe and I met up with three members of the Board of Directors for a tour of Cameron Pass. With snow flying sideways, we outlined the backcountry access and issues of the entire CP area to Greg (Board President), Dave (Board Treasurer), and Tom (former Board President) before setting out for a good ski.

With only 4 cars in the lot, 3 of them snowshoeing or cross country skiing, we decided to break a core rule and ski near S. Diamond Peak on the weekend. Perhaps it was the 60 mph winds that kept people away. The Zimmerman Lake lot only had 6 cars, which is less than half of the normal weekend traffic.

We set out after a chilly gear-up at the car. By the time I walked from the front of the car to the back, a layer of snow had already blown in the back window of Zac's 4Runner and covered my gear. It was full conditions. I love it.

We climbed, all five of us, at a relaxed pace through areas of dense forest and open tree shots. I broke trail for a large portion of the approach and found breakable crust on top of our much-loved DEEP layer of depth hoar at the ground. The breaking was arduous. Thankfully, the wind covered our uptracks quickly to conceal our location.

On North facing 25-30 degree slopes at 10,600' (below treeline) we found breakable crust with 5cm of new snow on top. We felt evidence of the wind in even the densest trees on this aspect. We skied one run here before heading south onto NE facing slopes of the same gradient and elevation, where we found consistent, creamy powder on top of a supportable base.

Two runs here held good, low angle turns on the Freeway and adjacent trees.

We hoped to show off the breadth of CP to the board members. Ha! The sun doesn't shine at CP. At one point, they could make out the face of S. Diamond Peak, up to the top of the cliff bands on the main face. Such little perspective on such a large area. Next time.

Greg Mears and Dave Belin enjoying the low angle turns under dumping skies

Not Quite Never Summer Traverse

2007-11-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

Photos from a partial traverse of the northern edge of the Never Summer Mountains in northern Colorado. This trip took place in late October 2007. This area is part of the focus for BSA's new Northern Front Range Chapter, headed by Ryan Miller and Zac Wiebe of Fort Collins. Temperatures were warm most of the day, with clear skies above the low cloud layer sitting over the Front Range. Good turns were had up high on wind slab!

Ryan Miller skinning in front of Seven Utes Mountain

View of the Never Summers from the flanks of Mt. Mauler

Shane Wayker, with Clark Peak and North and South Diamond Peaks behind

Ryan Miller and Zac Weibe enjoying the view of Mt. Mauler from the saddle of No Name

Shane Wayker, first turns in plastic since a knee reconstruction Feb 07

Winter has sprung!

2007-10-25T14:07:00.001-07:00

Leaves are falling, snow is flying, and skis are sliding. The season is here.

Scenes from Cameron Pass, CO 10.24.07

Skinning on the bench below Diamond Peaks (L) Nokhu Crags (R)

BSA member Kristin Janus on the skin track

Brian Holcombe enjoying the season's first turns (L) Craig Merrill ripping Taster's Choice (R)

The proposed Northern Front Range Chapter of BSA will hold its first meeting Tuesday October 30 in Old Town Fort Collins. Call 303-494-5266 for more information. With this group, BSA will work to protect quiet recreation in the greater Cameron Pass area.

Brian

We're plugged into Blogger

2007-06-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

Our blog has gone live today from the home office of the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance (BSA).

BSA is a Colorado non-profit organization dedicated to preserving quiet backcountry areas for winter recreation. We work with our local chapters and members, quiet and motorized recreation groups, and federal agencies to create areas for quiet recreation that offer the experiences our members seek in the backcountry and protect the resources we value so much.

This journal will feature stories and photography from skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing adventures around the world. See what our members and staff are up to in the backcountry year-round here at News from the Deep White.

We will be updating this blog often, so check back regularly for updates.

Please email us at info@backcountryalliance.org if you would like to post to this blog. Your stories and photos are welcomed and encouraged!

Brian Holcombe