BSA Board of Directors Ski Day at Cameron Pass

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

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!

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

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