So we have been getting a lot of snow. Leaving the backcountry a little unstable, the ice climbing is still really great it is just takes longer to wade through the new powder. We are looking forwards to our first Avalanche Course this coming weekend. We most likley will be looking at some really interesting snow pit profiles. The first class of the season is always exciting for me new people all excited to learn about our backcountry. It really is amazing living here the skiing is just amazing and there are so many choices. You can almost always find powder that is safe to ski it just takes exploring. I just love hosting these classes they are so fun and it truly feels like we are offering a great service to a community that has given us so much.
The rumors are true we are getting dumped on. It looks like tomorrow will be an official powder day. It started to come in yesterday but it was straining to fall and cover the crusty sun baked snow pack. The base is not great but eventually we will see it set up, not sure if it will be a very safe snow pack but it is the San Juan I can not expect to much.
Now we have our first Avalanche level one course of the season coming up and we are looking forwards to playing in all the new snow.
So with a snow storm looming all last week we keep looking to the sky for white flakes, with no avail. On Wednesday it looked as if we might have had a chance of some snow coming but the clouds built and nothing fell. We are still waiting to get a powder day, now we will just have to keep climbing the most beautiful water fall ice in years.
Josh and I just got back from an afternoon of ice climbing in the Telluride Bear Creek preserve just up from the town park. We were able to get a rare afternoon off together and enjoy going to an area we do not guide but like to climb personally. It not only is a great way to blow off steam but we try and get as many laps in as possible. What a great day!
So the snow has not been coming down but the ice is getting fatter and fatter each day. This has made for a fantastic ice climbing season this winter. The famous local ice fest has past and now the crowds have cut back. I could not believe last week there were at least 2 other climbing parties in Lower Ames yes Lower Ames. Josh and I were there to do some laps before having to make a trip to Montrose for groceries and to drop off our new guide uniforms to Scotts designs for embroidery. We ended up climbing up and out of the gully and to the middle falls were their was no one. There wasn’t even anyone on the Ames Ice Hose.
So we got some short laps in and brought our new shinny jackets off to Montrose. We are very excited about our new Mammut uniforms for this winter. They are going to be droped off tomorrow and appearing on our staff this week. It is exciting to have a full uniform for our guides. What a great feeling. Photos of the staff in all the goods will be coming soon.
What a place to decide to get married at Telluride. What better way than skiing in the San Juan Backountry. Today we were so glad to host a wedding on skies in the backountry. The day was spectacular, barley a cloud in the sky and with powder skies strapped to their feet a man and woman married. It is always fun to share in our clients vacation moments and adventures, but this has to be one of our favorites so far. What a special day to be a part of, it left me thinking secretly about wanting to renew my vows. A small group of people gathered on a backcountry ski run to celebrate two peoples happiness. I wish them the best and all the powder they can ski. What a day….
Telluride is hopping at the start of the new year. We have been getting lots of sun giving us fantastic days.