Category Archives: Tenmile/Mosquito

All the Seasons of North Star

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It is getting to be that time of year in Colorado when all four seasons can be in play in a single day. I guess in some ways it’s like that almost all the time around here, but that seemed to be in full display this past Saturday. As spring quickly approaches, 80+ degree temperatures and blazing sunshine in Denver clash quite markedly with wintry winds and frozen cornices in the high country. Couple that with an above average snowpack that is about as waterlogged as can be after a wet May blizzard, and you have the makings of a classic spring outing (aka: winter, spring and summer conditions) in the Rockies. Keep reading…

Coin Slot

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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…

Fletcher Mountain: Northeast Couloir

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Marc and I set off from the gate at the same time as the previous weekend, intent on skiing Fletcher. With the approach through McCullough fresh in our minds we were able to make good time to treeline. Following our skin/ski tracks from the weekend prior, we wound our way up though numerous hills and rolls until we were greeted with a full on view of Atlantic. Keep Reading…

Atlantic Peak: The "V" Couloir

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Back to back weekends in McCullough Gulch yielded a pair of good, aesthetic ski descents off two Centennials. I’d like to say thank you to Brennan Metzler for heading up there earlier this spring and documenting these lines, as the beta he provided gave us yet another sure bet for keeping this shortened ski season alive. A few late April storms succeeded in refreshing the snow coverage in the Tenmile, despite other ranges being more or less beyond saving. Continue Reading…