Boulder-based adventure writer and photographer
Your writing portfolio is diverse, with work for publications including
PB:
My writing career started quite by accident. During my senior year at
Later that same year, I sold my first piece, about rock climbing at the Gunks in
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
BSA:
Your first book, At the Mercy of the Mountains just came out. Describe releasing your first book.
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
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.
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
What is your goal for Powder Ghost Towns? Where will the book fit in the
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.
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.
What information sources have you found in your research for Powder Ghost Towns?
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.
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.
What has been your favorite area thus far?
Cuchara
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
Other areas that stick out are Libby Creek (WY), which was surprisingly good. The area holds powder well. Also
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).
What
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
Backcountry skiing in
Regularly since the 2004/05 winter season
Preferred method of downhill travel
AT all the way
Family
I live in
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