Category Archives: Backcountry Skiing

Welcome to New Mexico – Land of No Gapers

Brian Miller March 31, 2014 23 Comments

Colorado has experienced a fine winter snow season this year. Along with the snow came the gaper. The gaper has managed to cause a multi-car pile up on I-70 between Morrison to Avon from Christmas through the middle of March, like clockwork, during rush hour. Whether that gaper is CDOT, some out of towner, some jackass with a 2wd vehicle with no snow tires or just the rapid growth of Colorado – I’m not exactly sure, but it’s a reality of skiing in Colorado in 2014. Keep reading…

Sunday on Silverheels

Dillon Sarnelli March 29, 2014 16 Comments

Mount Silverheels, elevation 13,822 feet, is the 96th highest peak in the state of Colorado. It sits just east of Mount Bross and Mount Lincoln between Fairplay and Breckenridge. The mountain itself is massive, covering approximately 3 square miles, with its closest 13,000 ft. neighbor being Hoosier Ridge over 3 miles away to the north. With its gradual slopes, the peak is an excellent choice for a winter trek and is most often accessed from the north and west from Hoosier Pass/Route 9 and from the south via Fairplay. Keep reading…

Coin Slot

Ben March 25, 2014 2 Comments

Despite its small stature, Mt. Royal (10,502′) near the town of Frisco is home to several excellent climbing, hiking, and skiing routes. The “Royal Flush”, a local rock favorite overlooking I70, rises in 8 pitches from the floor of Ten Mile Canyon to the peak’s summit, providing an adventuresome sports climb for anyone looking to get some multi-pitch experience. There are also several hiking and snowshoe trails on the peak’s north side that can be accessed straight from town. Keep reading…

Perfect Trees

Ben March 11, 2014 8 Comments

The Monarch Pass corridor is a zone we’ve been meaning to explore for many years now, but for whatever reason we just haven’t made it down there much prior to this season. Well this year, with I-70 being what it’s been seemingly every weekend (I’ll say no more), it’s seemed reasonable to head down 285 and avoid the mess altogether. As it happens Monarch has gotten great snow in the past month and a half, and so we figured why not try out the area again this past weekend? Read more…

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