A bit belated here, but in late-February I was fortunate enough to sneak into the Power of Four skimo race and successfully finish the course along with new partner and friend, Chris Tonozzi. It was one of the bigger days I’ve ever had on skis, and was super cool to finally be a part of.
Since the race’s inaugural run in 2011, the Audi Power of Four has become known in skimo circles as one of the more difficult winter endurance events in North America. Traversing up and over the four ski areas in Aspen, the course racks up over 11,000 ft of elevation gain and ~29 miles from start to finish. Like most skimo races, it’s very conditions dependent as well, which can further add to the challenge. Truth be told the full story of how I made it into this race is pretty unorthodox. With not much doing in the way of backcountry skiing this season, uphilling inbounds was sort of the only fitness option for us mountain folk through December and January. Keep Reading….
Last month I got an opportunity to head down south and spend 2 nights at the Opus Hut near Ophir Pass. It was sort of a last-minute invite that I was able to say yes to on a whim, and it turned into an awesome weekend of powder skiing and hut time with a great crew. Sometimes it’s really nice when a spontaneous plan comes together. The Opus Hut sits at 11,765 ft just to the east of Ophir Pass. It was built by Ophir resident Bob Kingsley, a master timber framer, between 2006 and 2011 after he bought the parcel of land the hut sits on. Keep Reading…
Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year as they say, is officially here. As the holiday crowds descend from all over the world upon Colorado’s mountain towns, Anna-Lisa and I have made it a tradition to escape the madness and head up to a 10th Mountain or Braun hut for a night or two on or around Christmas. This year we decided to book out the Markley Hut, which features one of the shortest approaches of any hut in the system. Keep Reading…
Earlier this fall Brian, Steve and I set off from the Gore Creek Campground and hiked “Hail Peak”. It was a sweet day out, and was one of the last summer-esque days before the area received it’s first real snowfall.
“Hail Peak” is a high point along the ridge line connecting Mt. Valhalla and Mt. Silverthorne just northeast of Snow Lake. It’s a reclusive peak and one that doesn’t see very many ascents on an annual basis. The only reasonable route to the top is via the peak’s southeast slopes, though I know at least one party that’s run the connecting ridge over to Mt. Valhalla. The approach from Gore Creek TH takes the long trail up the drainage to the Recen Brother’s grace site, then up the trail to Gore Lake. From there, you have to split off the trail and hike up through the open meadows towards Snow Lake. Eventually you’ll be standing right at the base of “Hail Peak” with nothing but a few thousand feet of boulder hopping between you and the summit. Keep Reading….
