BOOTOLOGY ANY SHOP CAN SELL YOU A BOOT. ONLY ONE SHOP CAN CUSTOM FIT YOUR BOOT TO OPTIMIZE COMFORT AND FIT FOR MAXIMUM ENJOYMENT. BACKCOUNTRY E XPERIENCE. SERVING THE SOUTHWEST SINCE 1996.
DURANGO, CO · (970) 247-5830 · WWW.BCEXP.COM
BEN ROCKIS
BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE OWNER PROFESSIONAL BOOT FITTER FOR 26 YEARS
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POWDER STASHES, NOT POWDER ROOMS. WE MADE IT JUST FOR YOU. The new Osprey Kresta featuring women’s-specific fit and focused features for quick skins and fast descents.
Adventure Awaits LET US HELP YOU EXPLORE
Holiday RV in Poncha Springs, CO is your small town dealer with big city selection.
Come see us at the show!
2017 Colorado Springs RV & Outdoor Show @ Colorado Springs Event Center · February 2 - 4, 2017
Hwy 50 & 285 PONCHA SPRINGS,CO 81242 www.holidayrv.net
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SERVICE & PARTS DEPARTMENT AVAILABLE RENTALS START MAY 1ST 243211
Adventure can take you anywhere. Have fun this winter exploring Southwest Colorado if you need us, we’re here. Close to Home
1311 North Mildred Road. Cortez, CO | 970.565.6666 | swhealth.org 242661
THE LOCAL EXPERTS SINCE 1986
San Juan Mountain Guides (SJMG) is the premier AMGA Accredited Program provider of Ouray Ice Climbing, Private Ice Guiding, Ouray Rock Climbing, San Juan Backcountry Skiing and Avalanche Courses, Alpine Climbing, and Wilderness Backpacking in Colorado. Founded in 1986, SJMG is the only guide service based in both Durango and Ouray, Colorado, and is well known as “The Local Experts” for climbing and skiing in Ouray, Durango, Telluride and the San Juan Mountains. We offer personalized, professional guide services with IFMGA/AMGA Certified Guides and Instructors.
(970) 325-4925 · 636 Main St, Ouray, CO 81427 · mtnguide.net
242665
OUR FIRST ADVENTURE TOGETHER 6 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 8 OPENING SHOT 12 HOW TO WAX YOUR BOARD 18 GEAR - VOORMI 24 HIT LIST 28 TREASURE MAP 32 ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT 44 EXPLORE - ICE CLIMBING 48 GEAR BIN 50 EXPLORE - WINTER RUNNING 54 GET FAT 58 EXPLORE - WOLF CREEK 60 VISTAS
Photo by Ben Gavelda
KILLER WEEKEND 10
OURAY, COLORADO You have two and a half days in Ouray: Here’s how to make them count.
CURRENT CONDITIONS 20
SPLIT BOARDING This one-time fringe genre blends mountain savvy with snowboarding’s surfy side.
WILD VOICES 40 EXPLORE 36
NEXT STOP SILVERTON This is the place: Colorado’s unresort, where on hand-dug lift carries you into the great wide open at 12,000 feet.
ON THE COVER Skiers approach the legendary Naked Lady Couloir in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains during a spring storm. (Photo by Brandon Mathis)
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THE SWISS SAVIOR Manuel Genswein is regarded as the world’s foremost expert on avalanche recue, hoping to help universalize emergency rescue techniques. We spend a day in the mountains with him.
ISSUE 01
EDITORIAL
WINTER 2017 Brandon Mathis, Editor
Claudia Laws, Sr. Manager, Online News Content & Video Production
ADVERTISING & DESIGN
Todd Bartz, Director of Creative Services
Justin Meek, Art Director
Jim Dodson, Art Director
Christian Ridings, Art Director
CONTRIBUTORS Ben Gavelda, Photographer
PRODUCTION Suzanne Duke, Production Manager
DISTRIBUTION Aani Parrish, Senior Operations Manager
DOGS + SNOW = ADVENTURE! Feel the energy of canine collaboration while taking in the dramatic and beautiful scenery of Southwest Colorado. Learn the magic behind mushing while traveling at the speed of dog!
MARKETING Brittany Cupp, Digital Marketing & Audience Development Manager Jamie Opalenik, Marketing Communications Manager
ADVERTISING
David Habrat, Vice President of Advertising
Colleen Donley, Advertising Director
Hank Blum, Account Executive
Kelly Bulkley, Account Executive Bart Collins, Account Executive
Kerry Curtis, Account Executive
Ami McAlpin, Account Executive Emily Roos, Account Executive
Shawna Long, Account Executive
Teressa Nelson, Senior Account Executive
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS
Douglas Bennett
Bob Ganley
© 2016 All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Published in the United States by Ballantine Communications, Inc. – 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Ballantine Communications uses reasonable effort to include accurate and up-to-date information for its special publications. Details are subject to change, so please check ahead. The publisher accepts no responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this guide. We welcome suggestions from readers. Please write to the editor at the address above.
Durango • Mancos • Purgatory durangodogranch.com • 970-259-0694 @DurangoDogRanch WINTER2017 5
Take a Risk, Find Your Adventure
EDITOR’S LETTER
S
now was ripping off ridgelines across the valley. At 13,000 feet the gusts of wind stung our faces, tearing the words from our mouths. We had made our way onto this classic Rocky Mountain peak, but it took some creative navigation. All new to us, it was a little nerve racking. Ski tracks headed down in a direction that wasn’t part of our plan. It was tempting to follow suit, but we decided to stick to our plan, making our own trail over a wind-scoured knife ridge and dropping into the unknown – at least to us - and seeing what happened. What followed was beyond our greatest expectations. Floating weightless through a massive mountain bowl, surfing a frozen wave and ducking into perfect glades. Hooting and hollering, we took turns watching one another reach safety. High fives all around. We had left our comfort zone and it was incredible. That’s what it’s all about: Getting out of your element. Stepping into the wild, even just a few steps at a time. We could have followed someone else’s tracks that morning – someone else’s adventure - but we wanted our own experience. And we got it. It’s a buzzword, adventure. An unusual experience or undertaking. You learn from it, a journey of body and mind, but even more so of spirit. In this first issue of Adventure Pro, we introduce you to amazing people and places that define that spirit. From professional climber Marcus Garcia, who has been climbing rock and ice in Ouray, Colorado, for more than 20 years to celebrated runner Anna Frost and a group of dedicated trail heads who don’t let winter bring down their runners’ high. We practice cutting edge avalanche rescue with world-renowned expert Manuel Genswein, which is perfect, because we take you to Silverton Mountain with Jenn Brill, co-owner of the nation’s only lift-served backcountry experience, where you need some avy savvy just to get around. Just turning these pages is an adventure, a chance for you to see, learn and do something new. And there’s even more at www.adventurepro.us. The people we meet and the places they take us bring the spirit of adventure to life. And believe us, it’s a rewarding way to live. This is Adventure Pro. We show you where to go, what to do and how to do it. We hope you join us for the ride. Adventure Pro. What’s your next adventure?
6 ADVENTUREPRO.us
ONLINE
SECRET HIDEOUTS
We have videos. You like videos. Watch our videos. Biking, climbing, rafting, fishing, stand up paddleboarding, camp hacks, splitboarding, backcountry safety and so much more.
ADVENTURES
Ski & B or shred and breakfast? These sweet crash pads are the way to go on your next trip.
Adventure with us. Find all our coverage about any outdoor activity, from biking to running, snowboarding to rock climbing and more.
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For up-to-date ski conditions call 970-259-0424
NORDIC SKIING WITH A VIEW Donations Accepted!
Nordic Skiing at Hillcrest Golf Club is possible through golf membership & donations.
2017 PRE-SEASON DISCOUNT SPECIAL SIGN UP FOR A GOLF MEMBERSHIP FROM JAN 2nd - 31st See our website for details. 2300 Rim Dr • Durango, CO 81301 970-247-1499 • www.golfhillcrest.com
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WINTER2017 7
(Photo by Kevin Lindal)
8  ADVENTUREPRO.us
OPENING SHOT
Everyday Adventure Pros Marcus Garcia climbs on the sharp end as Lindsey Hamm belays next to the pool in Cascade Creek, north of Durango, Colorado. Read more about Garcia and how he inspires other climbers on page 28.
WINTER2017 9
KILLER WEEKEND
O T Y A W YOUR COLORADO
Have a great weekend wherever you are. Find out more at
/KILLERWEEKEND
10  ADVENTUREPRO.us
5 ways to break the ice in America’s
1. Soak it up
Take your pick in this hot springs paradise, with waters laden with rejuvenating elements like lithium, calcium, boron, calcium and sulfates. The Ouray Hot Springs – all 1,000,000 gallons - sit at the foot of the majestic San Jaun’s rugged skyline. Orvis Hot Springs – clothing optional – are quaint, individual pools north of town, along with cabins for rent. Or head down to the Historic Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa and Lodging. Their underground vapor caves range from 78 to 108 degrees. Just ask anyone from the great Chief Ouray, who made his home there in the late 1800s, to the Grateful Dead, who stayed there a century later.
2. Chill out
The Ouray Ice Park is a world class destination for ice climbing, but you don’t have to be an expert to have some fun. World-renowned alpinist Conrad Anker, captain of the The North Face climbing team, said he’s been coming to the park for decades, and that it is a unique opportunity for climbers of all abilities. “It’s got a lot of ice in a very concentrated area,” Anker said. “Here, you’re climbing instantly, you can get a lot of time in and really improve your skills.”
3. Be sweet
Mouse’s Chocolates & Coffee, a chocolatier owned and operated boutique is also beloved for its in-house coffee roasts, plus the fact they use only Belgian chocolate. Try the dark chocolate marzipan mice, the white chocolate chai truffles, the milk chocolate almond bark or grab a few scrap cookies. Still hungry? Join the chocolate of the month club and have it delivered to your door.
4. Drink it in
Swing by The Ouray Brewery and grab a seat at the bar - and keep swinging. Made of cable from a Utah gondola, these swinging bar chairs are perfect for sampling the pub’s wide selection of craft beer, brewed next door. While they’ve won a Best Summer Beer award at the infamous San Juan Brewfest with their Camp Bird Blonde Ale, don’t shy away from Stormy’s Imperial Stout, with eight percent alcohol to warm up those icy mitts. And speaking of warm, try the Box Canyon Brown. A contender at the Great American Beer Festival, this sipper is best enjoyed a little warm, when its caramel and nut flavors come to life. Not only are the brews top quality, but the menu is hearty as well. Try the pulled pork sandwich, served with coleslaw and housemade barbeque.
5. Don’t go it alone
With their shop right downtown, a few blocks from the Ouray Ice Park, San Juan Mountain Guides are among the top guide services in the world, traveling the globe to climb and ski. Co-owner Nate Disser calls the San Juan range home to some of the best climbing he’s ever done, and he’s got quite a resume. “I’ve guided all throughout North America and South America, the North Cascades, Alaska, Denali, Ecuador, Peru, but every time I come back to the San Juans, I’m just reminded: what a fantastic place to train, and what a lifetime worth of pursuits we have here.” From days in the park to ski mountaineering, avalanche education and trips around the world, San Juan Mountain Guides have you covered. WINTER2017 11
HOW TO
WAX ON, WAX OFF How to wax your boards like a humdinging powder monkey
Find out more at
/WAX
12  ADVENTUREPRO.us
1
Make sure your base is free of dirt and grime. There are a number of spray-on base cleaners, but if you’re doing this at midnight before a powder day, scraping off excess gunk will do. This is also a good time to de burr your metal edges - a file or even a green scrubby will do - and get rid of rust and nicks by scrubbing them out.
With your iron heated to the desired temp hold the wax to the iron over the board and dribble a line down one side near one edge and up the other. Follow through with a line down the center of the board. Many people just dribble randomly until they are satisfied. While there’s no such thing as too much wax, the more you put on, the more you have to scrape off.
3
Ever iron your shirt? Me neither, but this seems really similar to pressing out wrinkles. With smooth, slow motions run the iron up and down the base until the wax is nice and shiny. When your base heats up it absorbs the wax, so the hotter you get it, the more it soaks in, just remember, never leave the iron in one place. That base is plastic and it will melt.
Let it cool. You may hear variations on this, so do your own thing, but wherever there is snow to ride, someone is waiting for their rig to cool.
5
4
With a sharp scraper, hold its edge at a 45 degree angle to the base and begin to scrape up the excess wax. Some like to pull the wax off and some like to push it. Others do both. Just get as much wax off your base as possible. Think you’re done? Nope. Scrape some more.
Just like brushing a Thoroughbred. Make big, long brushstrokes from tip to tail until you see a glossy sheen come through.
7
2
6
Scrub-a-dub-dub. A common “green scrubby” works just fine for this finishing step, which removes any remaining loose wax, and adds a final shine to the base.
PRO TIP!
Clean your top sheet. It’s easy to overlook how icky your top sheets get from all that fun. Use a household cleaner like Windex or Formula 409 to polish them up. You’ll be amazed and this also keeps snow from sticking. Finally, mention to your friends as you drop into your run that you just waxed, and wave goodbye. WINTER2017 13
Marcus Garcia hard at work in the Ouray Ice Park
JOIN THE ADVENTURE
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Durango’s Premier Climbing and Training Facility
Events/Competitions Youth Programs Classes/Private Lessions
970-259-7625
Get In, Get Fit 1111 Camino Del Rio # 105 · Durango, Co 81301 · www.rockloungeclimbing.com 245045
Service · Sales · Rentals • Full Service Repair Facility • Custom Boot Fitting is our Specialty • Durango’s Best Selection of Alpine Equipment • Fun for the Whole Family
871 MAIN AVE DURANGO, CO 970-247-5542
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OPEN MON - SAT: 9AM - 6PM SUN: 11AM - 4:30PM 242923
WINTER2017 15
SPONSORED CONTENT by BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE, DURANGO, COLORADO
If The Boot Fits, Share It There is such a thing as perfect fit
W
e’ve all heard it before: “Dude, my feet are killing me. I gotta stop and loosen my boots for a few.”
Now that you dropped a paycheck on your new ski boots, you almost hate to wear them. Is that a cramp? Or is it just plain numb? We know all too well how much it hurts. Walk mode might help for a bit, but cinch down and things get miserable. It doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re serious about getting the most out of your performance equipment, then you should be serious about a custom fitting. Let your boots start working for you. “I’ve always been passionate about the outdoors,” said Ben Rockis, owner of Backcountry Experience in Durango, Colorado, a professional outfitter and gear supplier that specializes in custom boot and backpack fitting. “To enjoy it, you need to be properly equipped.”
boot to isolate the bone structure, while also allowing dynamic movement where you need it. There’s a lot more to this than people think.”
First Run It starts with foot measurements, initially unweighted: Length, width, bone structure, volume. “How narrow is the heel?” Rockis said. “How narrow is the ankle? How high is the instep? How meaty is the foot?” Often, when we weight our feet – or stand up - they elongate and take on a different shape. “You get a size difference every time you step,” Rockis said. “It’s going to create chaos.” A poor fit can lead to more than just lack of control. “You’re fighting to control everything and it wears
“I’ve always been passionate about the outdoors,” said Ben Rockis, owner of Backcountry Experience, “To enjoy it, you need to be properly equipped.” Being properly equipped means getting the fit dialed in for the boots you wear hiking, skinning and skiing thousands of vertical feet. If your feet feel good, then you’ll go further, faster, and, most importantly, you’ll have more fun.
Your Own Two Feet No two feet are the same. Trained professionals know what to look for, what to ask and how to assess your feet. In the end, you’ll hike and ski more and best of all, the only pain you’ll feel is your tired ski legs. “The most important aspect of boot fitting is understanding how the bone structure of the foot works as you’re moving,” Rockis said. “Using the 16 ADVENTUREPRO.us
you down,” Rockis said. “You can cause damage with stressed muscles and blisters.” Poor fitting footwear can also lead to the dreaded plantar fasciitis, inflammation of a thick band of tissue – the plantar fascia - that runs across the bottom of your foot. It can appear as a mildly annoying pain or have you collapsing to the floor with the first sharp step out of bed. All of this stems from too much foot movement. “What we want to do is isolate foot movement,” he said. “Keep it more controlled.”
Sure Footing To stabilize your foot securely within any boot and minimize foot movement, you will need an orthotic
insert. With ski boots it’s even more critical to achieve this stability to allow the subtle transmission of weight shift and functional tension from your core to be transmitted to your skis. This helps facilitate seamless edge transitions and a flow from one turn to the next. It’s simple, but not easy, and typically cannot be achieved in a standard stock footbed made for the theoretical “average” foot. “As boot fitters, we’re trying to achieve the transfer of power through your body into the orthotic, into the ski boot, the binding, all the way to the ski,” states Rockis. “It’s so much more powerful than if your feet are all over the place.”
Make a Spray Date The fitting can take awhile, but remember, you get to talk to someone who actually cares about what your foot feels like in your ski boot, plus you get to brag about dropping in the Battleship, or getting lost on Red 3 in a blizzard. They’ll listen to it all. Still in a hurry? Didn’t think so. Be honest. Are you really climbing couloirs every other day or railing turns on groomers? Are you boot packing in frigid temperatures straight up chutes or skiing with the family? What are your goals as a skier? All of this adds up to an expert’s ability to provide you a better insert, and the result is enhanced comfort, improved foot health and better performance.
Path to Peace There’s still a little wiggle room. Good boot fitters always wait until after the test drive. “We can’t really tell how your feet are moving in your boots when you’re in the backcountry,” Rockis said. “So we always leave a little room to modify after the customer has skied a few times.” There may be an adjustment period for a proper fit, like some temporary soreness, but surprisingly, few people ever take the time to address even the most irritating issues when it comes to their equipment. But those who do, reap the rewards. Meet with an expert and communicate. They are professionals, it’s what they do. “I’ve always been happy helping people find the right gear to get outdoors and have a great time,” Rockis said. Maybe it’s time you treat your feet. You just might get in another run.
Spring trip on the Grand Turk and Sultan with Backcountry Experience staffer Gus Allen. Photo: Forrest Kohere
WINTER2017 17
GEAR
A New Take on Wool by BRANDON MATHIS
“A
s we started this company, it was all about taking wool to a more technical place,” said Timm Smith of Voormi, makers of high-performance wool garments in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. “Can we make something that is soft and sweater-like in nature, thermal like a fleece, but gives you a whole added degree of protection against wind and weather?” The answer is yes. Since they quietly emerged in the outdoor industry, Voormi has built a dedicated following and consumers can’t get enough. Today, their award-winning pieces are a must for skiers, hunters, anglers and climbers. Using soft, hand-picked selections of Merino wool from ranchers throughout the Rocky Mountains, Voormi has developed ways to push its natural attributes even further, making base layers, insulating layers and now even outerwear pieces that are as rugged as burlap sacks, but as soft and comfy as old blankets. Founder Dan English leaned on his career in the outdoor industry to develop his concepts, while his son, Dustin English, tested their prototypes against the harsh conditions of Denali in Alaska where he guides climbers on the highest mountain in the nation. Dustin’s sister, Megan English, also puts Voormi to the test while working on the ski patrol at Wolf Creek Ski Area in Colorado, among wind, bottomless powder and some of the most brutal winter conditions in the lower 48. They call their model a micro-brew approach, small batches of high quality products made locally. There’s no corporate sponsorship here. “Our products will be on Everest because guides bought our products and put them on Everest,” Smith said.
“ Our products will be on Everest because guides bought our products and put them on Everest.” – Timm Smith
For more visit
/GEAR
18 ADVENTUREPRO.us
From Everest to Denali, to trout-filled rivers and creeks within the 1.8 million acres of forest that surround their office, to coffee shops and living rooms, Voormi weaves its comfort into people’s lives. “That’s what we as a brand are all about,” Smith said. “Because that’s what we can authentically own.” You can find them everywhere, from Editor’s Choice articles in outdoor periodicals to coat racks throughout the Rocky Mountain west. And if you’re in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, you’ll find them at 169 Pagosa St. Stop in and say hello. You just might find a new take on wool. For a closer look, visit them online at voormi.com
winter rental equipment outdoor adventure essentials visit us for trail information, group rides, events, and races explore over 60km of groomed xc ski trails and 100mi of groomed multi-use trails Marmot
WINTER2017  19 
SP For more information visit
/SPLITBOARDING
20  ADVENTUREPRO.us
PLIT
CURRENT CONDITIONS
by BRANDON MATHIS
These mountain savvy knuckle draggers are deeper than you think
M
ore than ever before a new breed of snowboarder is passing up the lifts and heading further into the mountains on their own two skis. Since its inception in Utah’s Wasatch Range sometime around winter 1991, the long-time fringe genre of splitboarding has matured into a sophisticated global backcountry culture all its own.
WINTER2017 21
CURRENT CONDITIONS
SPLIT IN TWO
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The Soup Palette'
Our soups are creatively designed, handcrafted with LOVE and prepared daily!
So, what is a splitboard?
It’s a snowboard that divides into two halves to be used as pair of skis for uphill travel. Once in ski mode, like backcountry skiers, splitboarders apply a set of skins, a layer of removable fabric that provides directional traction to the bottom of their boards. Throw in a set of poles and riders are granted the ability to climb and tour the mountains to their hearts’ content. Anything is possible, with caution in mind. Once on top, be it a gentle slope, a giddy glade or a staggering peak, the skis reunite to form the snowboard, and the descent begins. “The experience is just completely different than what you get at the [ski] mountain,” said John Agnew of The Boarding Haus in Durango, Colorado. “You hear nothing but the birds and maybe the wind and the trees, and your heart beating.”
• Various Types of Sandwiches and Salads • New Soups Daily • Gluten-Free Goodies and Sweets • Delivery + Grab-And-Go Soups • Custom Orders • Catering + Special Events
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“You’re not limited to trails, ‘Cat tracks, snowmobile access or lifts—you can go wherever you please at your own pace.” – Ben Gavelda Unlike their colorful cousins swarming around the resort by the thousands, splitboarders may total a handful per 10 square miles. Professional photographer Ben Gavelda has been splitting for the last eight years, in locations all over the world. To him, it opens up the mountains. “You can go anywhere, really,” he said. “You’re not limited to trails, ‘Cat tracks, snowmobile access or lifts— you can go wherever you please at your own pace.” It’s just you and the elements. “The time spent slogging your way up offers a more intimate experience with your surroundings, too,” he said. “You get to take in the environment at a more natural speed. You get to study your lines and snowpack, or mull over thoughts or even think about nothing at all on the way up. The continuous left and right slide uphill is like a bit of hypnosis. It’s peaceful. It can also be pretty grueling, too, depending on how far you push it.” Gavelda is on the right track. Like other backcountry travelers, splitters carry avalanche rescue equipment, are keen to weather patterns, many tracing them with fervor from the first snowflake of the season to the ones that fall directly in front of them. They watch the wind, practice rescue scenarios and are mindful of terrain choices and navigation, often carrying and reading topographical maps. They study avalanche observations and attend lectures on snow safety. How far splitters want to push it is up to them, and the lines between ski touring, snowboarding and mountaineering begin to blur. But most often the main objective is a rewarding skin up and exhilarating ride down. It’s a simple, beautiful thing.
@Thesouppalette1
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Family Friendly Daily Specials Gluten-Free Options Catering Available Dine In - Take Out Full Bar
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741 Main Ave., Durango, CO Winter Hours: 11am-9pm 970-247-0264 • www.fireduppizzeria.com @firedupdurango WINTER2017 23
FIVE WINTER EVENTS YOU CANNOT MISS!
1
UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup DURANGO, COLORADO – DEC. 14-17, 2016
More than 70 of the world’s top adult and youth climbers will compete for titles in speed climbing and difficulty on a perplexing outdoor manmade wall that seems absolutely impossible. This year’s International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation event will be held at Ska Brewing’s World Headquarters.
15 DEC 16
DEC
17 DEC
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 9AM–5PM ATHLETE SIGN-IN 5PM–6PM: TECHNICAL MEETING 6:30PM–8:30PM VIP/ATHLETE PARTY LEAD QUALIFICATION MEN & WOMEN LEAD SEMIFINAL MEN & WOMEN 6:30AM–7AM ISOLATION ZONE OPEN-CLOSE 7:10AM–7:30AM ROUTE OBSERVATION 7:40AM–11:30AM QUALIFICATION-MEN & WOMEN
SPEED QUALIFICATION MEN & WOMEN 6AM WARM-UP AREA OPEN 6AM–8AM PRACTICE 8AM–11AM QUALIFICATION FOR MEN & WOMEN
SPEED FINAL MEN & WOMEN 11AM WARM-UP AREA OPEN 12PM-1:30PM SEMI-FINAL & FINAL MEN & WOMEN
1PM–1:30PM ISOLATION ZONE OPEN-CLOSE 1:30PM–3PM ROUTE SETTING 3:10PM–3:30PM ROUTE OBSERVATION 4PM–5PM SEMI-FINAL MEN & WOMEN
LEAD FINAL MEN & WOMEN 4PM–4:30PM ISOLATION ZONE OPEN-CLOSE 4:30PM–5:30PM ROUTE SETTING 5:40PM–6PM ROUTE OBSERVATION 6PM–8PM FINAL MEN & WOMEN 8:30PM RESULTS 9PM AWARD CEREMONY 10PM FAREWELL PARTY
Public Demo Days - Taos Ski Valley
2
TAOS, NEW MEXICO – DEC. 16-17, 2016
You don’t really need an excuse to come to Taos, New Mexico, legendary for its steep terrain made even more accessible by the new Kachina Peak chairlift taking riders to 12,450 feet and increasing lift-served terrain by 50 percent. But this weekend there’s a really good one. Leading ski and snowboard brands will be lining up to outfit you with their gear so you can hit the slopes and see what’s best for your ride at of one of the most celebrated ski areas in the world. 24 ADVENTUREPRO.us
3
4
Silverton Whiteout SILVERTON, COLORADO – FEB. 6, 2017
This 10-hour fat bike race in and around Silverton is far more than just a bike race in the snow. The Silverton Whiteout is part costume party, part beer fest, part sled race with a little suffering thrown in. The course takes riders through downtown, out around and above town and back for 10 hours straight. Teams, relay or solo classes are open for entries.
Ouray Ice Fest
OURAY, COLORADO – JAN. 19-22, 2017 This is the biggest and best ice climbing festival in the United States, if not on the entire planet. Thousands of climbers converge on this tiny mountain hamlet and head to the Ouray Ice Park where they can demo gear from vendors all weekend long, take clinics from the best athletes in the field and climb any of the 200-plus routes in the park or enjoy the parties being held all over town.
Winter Warrior Snowshoe Race
5
PURGATORY, COLORADO – JAN. 28, 2017
Considered one of the best snowshoe races in the country, this 10K race tours a public Nordic course open to all. On singletrack and groomed trails at Purgatory Nordic Center in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the course features steep ups and downs mixed with gentle rolling trail to make this a diverse and challenging course. Depending on snow conditions, it’s open to all kinds of snow running traction devices.
For more events or to add yours to our calendar, visit /CALENDAR
WINTER2017 25
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· Nursery · Affordable, Flexible Rates · Day Passes Available · 50+ Group Fitness Classes Each Week
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JOIN US IN DURANGO FOR THE ONLY UIAA SANCTIONED COMPETITION IN NORTH AMERICA
UIAA Ice Climbing World Cup/North American Ice Championship December 14 - 17, 2016 SKA Brewery, Durango, CO
For complete schedule and event details please visit: usamixedclimbing.com 244688
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Salida
Farmington
Four Corners Winter Resorts
Alamosa Pagosa Springs
EspaĂąola
Santa Fe
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40
Taos Pueblo
25
Angel Fire
Shiprock
a
Hesperus Ski
Durango
Taos Ski Valley Red River
Mancos
South Fork
Sipapu
Cortez
Purgatory Kendall Mountain
Silverton
Monticello
Saguache
Ski Santa Fe
Ouray
Wolf Creek
Montrose
Monarch
Moab
Buena Vista
Pajarito Mountain
Grand Junction
Telluride Silverton Mountain
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Las Vegas
Colorado Hesperus Ski Area Location: Hesperus 2016-2017 dates: mid-December to mid-March Number of lifts: 1 Summit elevation: 8,880 feet Vertical drop: 700 feet Runs: 26 Skiable area: 160 acres Terrain level: Mixed Terrain parks: 1 Annual snowfall: 150 inches Date started: Early 1960s This micro mountain is beloved in Southwestern Colorado, namely for its fantastic terrain and night skiing. Just 11 miles west of Durango, locals can get their turns in after work and visitors can get a dose of Rocky Mountain skiing without the hustle and bustle found at bigger resorts.
Monarch Mountain Location: 2016-2017 dates: Number of lifts: Summit elevation: Vertical drop: Runs: Skiable area: Terrain level: Terrain parks: Annual snowfall: Date started:
Salida Late Nov. - April 16 12 and 2 surface lifts 11,952 feet 1,162 feet 53 800 acres 27% beginner, 30% intermediate, 43% advanced/expert 1 350-plus inches 1939
In a realm of giant ski resorts with valet parking and skier shuttles, Monarch is a breath of fresh air. With tons of snow and plenty of solid terrain, this friendly mountain still keeps it real for the family and fanatics. Lap cruisers off the Panorama Lift or head for the trees under the Mirkwood Bowl hike-to terrain. This quiet mountain is big on snow and small on crowds
Kendall Mountain Ski Area Location: 2016-2017 dates: Number of lifts: Summit elevation: Vertical drop: Runs: Skiable area: Terrain level: Terrain parks: Annual snowfall: Date started:
Silverton Nov. 24 – April 2 1 9,540 feet 240 feet 4 35 acres 100% beginner 1 200 inches 1960s
This family-friendly ski hill sits just outside historic Silverton’s downtown district. Perfect for toddlers, those just getting started, and for fun runs for skiers and riders of all abilities. Affordable lift tickets and season passes make this a great option for light-hearted snow lovers looking for a more relaxed outing on the slopes, with sledding and snowshoeing to boot.
Purgatory Resort Location: 2016-2017 dates: Number of lifts: Summit elevation: Vertical drop: Runs: Skiable area: Terrain level: Terrain parks: Annual snowfall: Date started:
North of Durango Nov. 19 – April 10 10,822 feet 2,029 feet 91 1,360 acres 20% beginner, 45% intermediate, 35% advanced/expert 5 260 inches 1965
Durango’s home mountain, Purg is a blast. The natural fall lines make this hill a hoot for skiers and riders of all levels. And for all but the busiest times of the year, this place is wide open for the taking.
Even the secret stashes are pleasantly easy to find. Ride fresh cut glades in McCormick’s, off the new Chair 8, or Ambassador’s on the front. Get your jib on in any on the sculpted terrain parks or just cruise the roller coaster groomers all over the mountain.
Silverton Mountain Location: Silverton 2016-2017 dates: December 29 to April 9 Number of lifts: 1 Summit elevation: 12,300 feet with hiking to 13,487 feet Vertical drop: 1,900 feet (lift-served), 3,087 feet (hike-to and helicopter-accessible) Runs: Unlimited. The resort constantly ventures into new terrain. Skiable area: 1,819 acres (22,000-plus acres for heli- and hike-to access) Terrain level: 100% expert Terrain parks: Everywhere you look Annual snowfall: 400-plus inches Date started: 2002 Because there is nothing like this anywhere else in America. Think lift-served backcountry skiing from 13,000 feet. Here a team of avy-savvy guides lead small groups into raw mountain terrain. Ride off alpine ridge lines, duck into steep trees or ski powder-choked gullies to the valley floor then get picked up by an ice-cream-truck-turned-ski-shuttle blaring Grateful Dead. Hungry for more? Book a heli for some of the most remote terrain in Colorado. Leave your fancy pants at home, and bring your own water. Interested, read more on page 36.
Telluride Ski Resort Location: 2016-2017 dates: Number of lifts: Summit elevation:
Telluride Nov. 24 – April 2 15 lifts, 3 gondolas 12,570 feet
Vertical drop: Runs: Skiable area: Terrain level: Terrain parks: Annual snowfall: Date started:
4,425 feet 120 2,000-plus acres 23% beginner 36% intermediate 41% advanced/expert 3 309 inches a year 1972
This is what ski resorts want to be when they grow up. Fifteen lifts, huge vertical drop, world class backcountry access, fine dining, posh guest services, five star accommodations and some of the best skiing this side of the Continental Divide. Head up the Chair 8 or catch the free gondola from downtown Telluride, or start from Mountain Village at 9,540 feet.
Wolf Creek Ski Area Location: 2016-2017 dates: Number of lifts: Summit elevation: Vertical drop: Runs: Skiable area: Terrain level: Terrain parks: Annual snowfall: Date started:
Between Pagosa Springs and South Fork Nov. to April 2 9 11,904 feet 1,604 feet 77 1,600 acres 20% beginner, 35% intermediate, 25% advanced, 20% expert 0 430 inches 1938
This small family-owned and operated mountain gets the most snow in the state of Colorado. Period. There’s enough snow to go around for everyone, but if you brought a snorkel, then head up Alberta Lift and get deep in the Step Bowl, drop off the Knife Ridge or hike to the Snow-Cat pick up to the Horseshoe Bowl. Interested, read more on page 58.
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New Mexico
Terrain parks: Annual snowfall: Date started:
Angel Fire Resort
Owned privately by the Los Alamos Ski Club, this area is known for its views of the Rio Grande Valley. The views are amazing, the bumps are the best in the state and the lift lines are short. Get out onto one of New Mexico’s hidden gems.
Location: Angel Fire 2016-2017 dates: Dec. 9 – March 19 Number of lifts: 5 lifts Summit elevation: 10,677 feet Vertical drop: 2,077 feet Runs: 74 Skiable area: 560 acres Terrain level: Trails: 18% beginner, 46% intermediate, 36% advanced Terrain parks: 2 Annual snowfall: 210 inches Date started: 1966 Angel Fire provides fantastic skiing just outside Albuquerque, in fact, it’s some of New Mexico’s best skiing and snowboarding with incredible Rocky Mountain views, a nice vertical drop and some terrific gladed terrain.
Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Location: 2016-2017 dates: Number of lifts: Summit elevation: Vertical drop: Runs: Skiable area: Terrain level:
Los Alamos Nov. 25 – April 9 5 lifts, 1 rope tow 10,440 feet 1,440 feet 45 300 acres 20% beginner, 50% intermediate, 30% advanced
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1 163 inches 1957
Red River Ski Area Location: 2016-2017 dates: Number of lifts: Summit elevation: Vertical drop: Runs: Skiable area: Terrain level: Terrain parks: Annual snowfall: Date started:
Red River Nov. 23 – March 20 7 10,350 feet 1,600 feet 57 257 acres 2% beginner, 38% intermediate, 30% expert 1 214 inches 1959
Summit elevation: Vertical drop: Runs: Skiable area: Terrain level: Terrain parks: Annual snowfall: Date started:
9,255 feet 1,055 feet 41 200 acres 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 25% advanced, 15% expert 3 190 inches 1952
Sipapu boasts having the longest ski season in New Mexico. This resort’s small size makes it perfect for families to relax and enjoy the trails. The slope also hosts some unique family adventures each weekend in February and March, from a cardboard derby to moonlight hikes in the snow, get out and enjoy this charming mountain.
Ski Santa Fe
Sipapu Ski Resort
Location: Santa Fe 2016-2017 dates: Late Nov. to early April Number of lifts: 7 Summit elevation: 12,075 feet Vertical drop: 1,725 feet Runs: 79 Skiable area: 660 acres Terrain level: 20% easy, 40% intermediate, 40% expert Terrain parks: 1 Annual snowfall: 225 inches Date started: 1984
Location: Taos County 2016-2017 dates: Nov. 12 – April 9 Number of lifts: 6
Part of what makes Ski Santa Fe so fantastic is how good it skis just 16 miles from all the culture, shopping, dining and nightlife you could want in
Located north of Taos, this mountain is home to one of the most unique experiences in the state: A ski-through replica of a mining town. Come for the friendly atmosphere and stay for the amazing terrain, new Emerald Quad lift and a base camp aerial park.
New Mexico’s capital city. With a base area at 10,300 feet and rising, it gets enough of Mother Nature’s winter loving, plus there is snowmaking on more than half the mountain.
Taos Ski Valley Location: 2016-2017 dates: Number of lifts: Summit elevation: Vertical drop: Runs: Skiable area: Terrain level: Terrain parks: Annual snowfall: Date started:
Taos Nov. 24 – April 2 15 12,481 feet 3,281 feet 110 1,294 acres 24% beginner, 25% intermediate, 51% expert 2 305 inches 1955
An iconic and unique skiing experience, this mountain blends world class terrain and Southwestern culture. Eat a green chili breakfast burrito and drop in. A new game-changing Kachina Peak lift accesses previous hike-to terrain at 12,480 feet with a five-minute chair ride. Always hammered by storms, at Taos you can log some serious vertical while knee deep in powder. *Dates subject to change
SPONSORED CONTENT by STEVE EGINOIRE/PINE NEEDLE MOUNTAINEERING
Strike the Balance Waves of new tech flooding the mountains The Right Light
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: lightweight vs. performance-weight backcountry ski gear. In the ever-evolving fray of brands producing skis, bindings, boots and other tools geared for the backcountry, where does one begin to piece together an efficient and versatile rig? It’s true, nothing outperforms a robust hard-charging ski, and/or a stiff four-buckle boot. But if you’re the type of ski athlete who fancies covering a lot of ground, or spends more time wearing skis on your pack than on your feet, high performance downhill gear comes at a cost. Fortunately, a tidal wave of new ski technology is flooding into the rapidly growing pursuit of backcountry touring. So whether it’s powder on the weekends or a major ski mountaineering effort, there are many great options for striking the ideal balance between performance and portability.
Chairmen of the Boards
The foundation of any ski setup is of course, the ski. We are lucky to live in an era where it’s difficult to keep up with the progression of ski technology, and as backcountry touring continues its upward rise in popularity, companies are releasing backcountrytailored skis left and right. Of all the modern companies producing boards these days, DPS has been one of the most influential, most notably for their signature carbon fiber sandwich construction and for building the first rockered ski with sidecut. The recent release of the DPS’s Wailer 106 Tour 1, is an obvious step forward, and self-proclaimed as a “targeted lightweight backcountry build that emphasizes fast ascents and class-leading downhill performance.” Conceived and manufactured on Utah’s Wasatch Front, the 106 Tour 1 is a product developed amongst world-class backcountry terrain. Tried and true, DPS continues to innovate ski construction, producing boards that blur the lines between performance and portability.
Boot Packing
The next piece in the versatility puzzle are boots. And, one thing we all know for sure, boot issues are a total bummer. When you’re going to have your foot encased in foam and plastic all day, careful consideration should be given to your primary intention for use. Yes, the tight fit and extra beef provided by a solid downhill boot are second to none for arcing perfect turns on snow, but important touring features such as flexibility, dexterity, and weight are compromised. Boots falling
on the other end of the spectrum are more featherweight than ever, but leave much to be desired once the skins are off the skis. Fortunately for the prospective buyer, many companies are launching their own version of a boot compatible with tech-style bindings geared entirely for the backcountry. This winter season Arc’teryx, that’s right, Arc’teryx, has released the Procline Ski Mountaineering Boot, offering a longawaited balance between ski boot and climbing boot. Boasting a patented two-piece carbon fiber upper cuff system that is able to rotate both vertically (75°) and laterally (23°/12°), better foot control can be achieved while steep skinning or climbing. When in ski mode, the Procline Boot performs with ample support and stiffness for steep descents. Quite impressive for a first boot from a clothing company, but we wouldn’t expect anything less from the Arc’teryx team.
Binded by Beauty
Linking the entire system together, enabling harmony between boot and board, the final piece of the puzzle: Bindings. Bindings are what enable us to access the backcountry wearing our skis, and what ultimately keep us from flying off the mountain when skiing down it. Most companies that produce touring bindings have adopted Dynafit’s signature tech-style approach. While several innovations have been applied by others, Dynafit continues to lead the charge. Outfitting ski athletes since the 1970s, veteran experience is probably the No. 1 driving force behind Dynafit’s production. Released this winter season, the TLT Superlight 2.0 features removable brakes, an adjustable DIN setting from 6-12, and checks in at a whopping 175g’s. When weight is a factor, and performance is key, accept no substitute. In the spirit of avoiding “death by gear review,” I’ve only highlighted a few of this winter season’s exceptional models to serve as a starting point. As more and more core ski companies produce equipment specifically designed for the backcountry, there is a lot on the market to choose from that suits a wide spectrum of backcountry styles. From remote skimo traverses, to big air at high speeds, and everything else in between, your bases are pretty well covered. Steve Eginoire is the Marketing Director at Pine Needle Mountaineering. Southwest Colorado’s most trusted dealer of outdoor clothing and equipment for over 40 years. Visit us at 835 Main Avenue Durango, CO 81301 and pineneedle.com.
Photos by Steve Eginoire
Top: Nearing the virgin summit of the Peruvian Face in southeast Alaska. Middle: Justin DuBois and Zack Zehr ascending the Royal Ramp on Chief’s Head in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Bottom: Joe Eppler makes first turns off of a virgin summit near the southeast Alaskan/Canadian border.
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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT CLOCKWISE: Photo by Russell Valentine, photo by Tracy Casarrubias, photo from Instagram @theholykale, Adventure Pro staff photo, photo by Dan Chehayl, photo by Russell Valentine.
ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
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Out in it. Getting out. Out there. The real deal.
Adventure Pro wants to showcase people getting after it all over the incredible landscape in which we live. Here are a few of our favorite shots sent in from our friends and fans. If you have a great photo, we’d love to see it. If we like it, we’ll run it in our spring edition and give you cred.
Send pics to info@adventurepro.us
WINTER2017 33
ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT Send pics to info@adventurepro.us FROM LEFT TO RIGHT CLOCKWISE: Photo by Jillian Sanford, photo by Jennifer Conrad, photo by Sierra Listner, photo by Erica Keter, Adventure Pro staff photo, photo by Rodney Reed, photo by Matt Clarke, Adventure Pro staff photo, photo by Lauren Wilde, photo by Emily P. Kagen, photo by Ben Gavelda, photo by Madeleine Bennett, photo by Shawn Roberts, Wolf Creek skiers.
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WINTER2017 35
EXPLORE
For more information, visit
/SILVERTON
NEXT STOP SILVERTON
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Photo by Ben Gavelda
Colorado’s Lift-Served Backcountry, with a Bus Stop by BRANDON MATHIS
N
ear a road that wraps around the base of the mountain, skiers randomly emerge from the woods, or ski out the plowed grade to form haphazard clans of powder hounds at bus stops. High fives are common. And every 15 minutes some kind of stickerladen shuttle vehicle circles back for a ride back to the base. To ride this lift, you need your avy gear. This is the place for big mountain skiing in the lower 48. “It’s the next step,” said Jenn Brill from a couch nestled inside a canvas yurt - Silverton Mountain’s wood-burning base lodge at 10,400 feet. Deep in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Silverton Mountain, and the town it’s named after, are rugged and coarse: raw Rocky Mountains. Skiing here is a different kind of experience. “When a person comes here, they expect to be challenged,” Brill said. Since she and her husband, Aaron Brill, founded Silverton Mountain, America’s only lift-served extreme ski area, she has seen an influx of skiers and snowboarders. Once a trickle and now arriving in droves, they sometimes endure brutal temperatures and gale-force winds for a line beyond the glam. Here,
there are no espresso bars and valet parking found at your more typical Colorado resort. They do it all for a shot at some of the best skiing in the nation, if not the world. “At Silverton, we’re all about the terrain,” Brill said. Outside the yurt, the only chairlift, a hand-dug vintage double, drifts by taking riders up 2,000 feet where they can have at a mountain surrounded by peaks that crash into each other like waves in an ocean. It’s guided-only, save a few days in spring, where seasoned staffers find a custom-tailored mountain experience for small groups. Hell’s Gate, Rope Dee, Cabin, The Billboard, Concussion. Guided or unguided you can’t miss these areas, and at this mountain, hiketo runs are what it’s all about. “I think people are intimidated to come up to Silverton Mountain, and we certainly build up the hype,” Jenn Brill said. “But it really is the next step for many skiers and snowboarders out there.” If you’re not afraid of a little fixed rope alpine ridge boot packing, you can hit over 13,000 feet before you drop in.
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WINTER2017 37
EXPLORE
Silver by the Ton
TOP OF CHAIRLIFT 12,300 FEET
SKIABLE ACRES 1,819
PEAK ELEVATION 13,487 FEET
HELI-ACCESSIBLE ACRES 22,000+
GUIDED LIFT TICKET $159
LIFT-SERVED VERTICAL DROP 2,000 FEET
ANNUAL SNOWFALL 400 INCHES
BASE ELEVATION 10,400 FEET
HIKE-TO VERTICAL DROP 3,087 FEET
ADVANCED/EXPERT TERRAIN 100%
NEXT STOP SILVERTON
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You should be here because: 1 2 3
SKI BIKE AND SNOWMOBILE RENTALS
Silverton, COLORADO Conveniently located in the epicenter of the San Juan Mountains 970.387.8774
www.co-atv.rentals 243985
What most typical resorts see in one day makes for an entire busy season at Silverton Mountain. No more than 475 skiers are allowed on the mountain at once, and typically about 80 show up to catch the one double chairlift that accesses 1,819 acres of terrain. Book the heli and that 1,800 gets bumped to 22,000 acres. Silverton Mountain almost wasn’t. Founders Jenn and Aaron Brill were looking at several locations around the Rockies. After narrowing it down to three spots in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the Brills decided on Silverton before even visiting the two remaining locations. Fifteen minutes down a snow-packed road winding under avalanche chutes is the town of Silverton. Population 700, it’s the only community in all of 390-square-mile San Juan County. With one paved road, one killer brewery and one cozy rum bar, this is après ski. Back at the mountain, après takes on a different meaning. While the skiing is world class, the “lodge” is a canvas yurt, and Grady’s, the après ski bar, is a few kegs of beer. Bring your own water if you plan on hydrating up here - there’s none. Hungry? Reserve a bag lunch with your lift ticket. But relax, the Porta Potties by the lift are a new addition to the wooden his and hers outhouses by the yurt.
4 5
At this mountain, a beacon, a shovel and a probe are required. You can rent the gear out of a snowbound school bus out back, but don’t worry, since the mountain is only open Thursday through Sunday during peak season, crews light up the steeps like the Fourth of July with explosives following storm cycles to mitigate avalanche danger.
Nearly every member of the 40-person staff is trained at the ready. Patrol staff are ski guides, and ski guides are patrol staff, maximizing safety and optimizing efficiency.
Colorado Lodging
REDEFINED SETTING THE STANDARD FOR SILVERTON LODGING For the discerning guest looking for the ultimate place to stay in Silverton, The Benson delivers with a newly renovated facility, modern technology, and all the amenities you would find at home and then some. Among our designer living quarters and suites we also offer Wi-Fi, HDTV’s, SpaLike Amenities, and a State of the Art Business Center. For the ultimate experience in Southwest Colorado, book yourself a suite at The Benson.
1210 Greene Street | TheBesonLodge.com | 970.387.9891 WINTER2017 39
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WILD VOICES “So the advantage to progress leads to more efficient rescue and thus higher chances of survival for the various subjects and the patients.”
by BRANDON MATHIS
The Man Changing Avalanche Rescue
-MANUEL GENSWEIN
Manuel Gensweins’ proven V-Shaped Conveyor Method saves lives
W
here there are mountains and snow, there are avalanches. They don’t care about people: hikers, climbers, skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers. But Manuel Genswein does. Armed with a Swiss accent and distinctive voice, Genswein speaks with absolute authority on avalanches and people. Trained as an electronic engineer with a focus on geography, Genswein developed a rescue practice that makes a difference when someone’s life is on the line. He’s been teaching his methods in 27 countries for the last 23 years. Now he aims to make his technique the worldwide standard. “In the winter months, I travel to teach mainly instructors all over the world, and in the summer months, I focus more on the development on future strategies and techniques and development of some of these rescue devices,” he said from a 10,000-foot Colorado mountain pass. While modern methods of gathering and communicating information about avalanches has greatly improved in the last two decades, it isn’t always new developments that make a difference, he said, rather techniques which make rescue more efficient. “Often, in spite of the fact that all the information is available, people make choices which lead to accidents,” he said. “Often, it is a problem of risk perception.” WINTER2017 41
Setting the Bar He called avalanche rescue a domain where one must learn from a collective experience. “The risk on an individual day might be very small, but as they accumulate so much exposure over a season or even over a lifetime in the mountains, the risk that it’s once them is very real,” Genswein said. Jim Donovan, a renowned authority of the subject, says if you plan to enjoy mountainous terrain, avalanche education and awareness is paramount. As director of Colorado’s Silverton Avalanche School in one of the most avalanche-prone mountain environments in the nation, Donovan teaches a full gamut of students, from recreational skiers and snowmobilers to elite professionals and military personnel. “For mountain states, avalanche awareness and education is absolutely critical if you want to go play out in the mountains,” Donovan said. “That’s been one of our big missions, educating people from that very beginner stage all the way to the professional stage on how to be aware when they’re in the backcountry.” He called Genswein one of the world’s best. “He has really set the bar,” Donovan said. “Created the bar, and standard, for avalanche rescue worldwide.”
>>> WHEN EVERY SECOND COUNTS Genswein’s V-Shaped Snow Conveyor Belt method
When caught in an avalanche, it all comes down to time. And while someone should certainly call for help, the people closest to the scene are the best chance for a successful rescue.
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Get ready to get to work Swiss avalanche rescue innovator Manuel Genswein has spent his life studying the subject, and his V-Shaped Snow Conveyor Belt is perhaps the most effective new development in snow removal in the history of avalanche rescue. Since backcountry travelers are often in groups, Genswein’s method assigns these roles to rescuers.
1 2 3 4 5
O nce contact has been made with the buried subject with the probe, a lead shoveler begins to dig on a horizontal plane one-and-a-half times down slope from the probe strike. emaining shovelers spread out in a V-shape R behind the leader, on one side one shovel length apart, on the other side two shovel lengths apart. s the leader digs deeper toward the probe strike, A the other shovelers remove snow in rapid paddling motions, hence the conveyor belt. Each shovel has an assigned section across the V-shape. escuers rotate every four minutes. After four R minutes the lead shoveler begins to lose energy, slowing down the system.
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nce the subject’s position is determined, two O shovelers begin at the tip of the V, kneeling and carefully widening the V and excavating the patient while assessing their condition.
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Sending Ice with Marcus Garcia W
e caught up with one die hard local who has been climbing rock and ice for 25 years, and 18 of those in Ouray, Colorado. Professional climber, climbing coach and owner of the Rock Lounge in Durango, Colorado, Marcus Garcia has spent nearly half of his life kicking his crampons and swinging his ice axe into solid ice, and he’s not ready to stop. In fact, when he’s not coaching everyone from elite competitors to aspiring mountaineers, he’s competing in world class competitions himself. “It’s a little extreme,” Garcia said. “You’re dealing with sharp objects all over your body. You’re dealing with changing conditions - the ice.” From the surreal, dramatic shapes that form the bottom of the teal blue canyon, Garcia shared a few of his secrets with student and friend Stephanie Mahallati, of Alberta, Canada, who says she simply loves the wonderful absurdity of it all. “I love ice climbing because there’s a lot more challenge,” she said from the bottom of the ice park. “And the cold, then your car gets stuck in a ditch.” Coaching Mahallati with his cool and calm demeanor, Garcia made the seemingly impossible possible: ascending overhanging roofs of stone and dagger chandeliers of solid blue glass. And then she followed. “It’s the adventure of ice climbing that I love,” she said. For Garcia, it’s all about the challenge, and the ability to control his fear, to use it for strength, and not weakness. “I can be scared and nervous and that’s good, because I can keep myself safe,” he said. “In fear, you’re going to limit yourself, what you can do as a person, I can climb with the fear, not in it.”
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EXPLORE
Tricks of the Trade Three hot tips to climb cold ice
ONE Accurately place your tools
Garcia says to look where your next swing is going, and to watch for things that can get in the way. “Look for a tool placement,” he says. “With swinging, you gotta watch the [ice] bulges for your elbows and hands.” With practice, the swing becomes a three-part effort, starting with a primary swing at the shoulder, following through with the elbow and finishing with a delicate flick, or snap, of the wrist.
TWO Find your feet and stand on them
“Always watch your feet,” Garcia says. As you work your feet up, your hips will come out from the ice. Once you have good foot placement, stand up and bring your hips back in. “Sometimes you’ve got to come out and look around,” Garcia said. Then find your next tool placement. If you have good form, this forms a triangle.
THREE The triangle
The triangle position is a stable, relaxed position for an ice climber. It’s a good rest, a solid place to take a breath and figure out what’s next. With one tool placed high and centered, work to position your feet at an even height, roughly shoulder width apart. This creates a three-point shape of stability. Now, quit freaking out, swing your next tool and repeat. Ideally, all movements — placing tools and finding feet — are all done with reforming the triangle in mind. After you do find a good foot placement, a delicate kick, often just powered by the weight of your leg, will help you sink the points of your crampons into the ice. Dropping your heel will engage your secondary points and save your calves. These fundamental basics will have you topping out in no time. Just don’t forget to breathe. WINTER2017 45
MOUNTAIN VITALS:
The Ouray Ice Park I
n Ouray, Colorado, there’s something growing in the famous Uncompahgre Gorge, and people come from all corners of the planet to see it, and especially to climb it. The mile-long Ouray Ice Park is a natural rock chasm featuring man-made and farmed ice, manicured to perfect conditions every morning from December to spring. Three full-time ice farmers work to keep the three vertical miles of ice in immaculate condition all winter long. “We’ve got about 200 routes from 15 to 35 meters in height,” said Ouray Ice Park Board of Directors President Mike Macleod. “Each one has to be crafted very specially by our ice farmers, so it’s a ton of work.” Logan Tyler, an ambitious climber and notorious ice farmer, says the job calls on an “extreme plumbing mentality.” He works a nippy split shift, roaming the gorge rim in low light — bitter cold predawn mornings, and fast cooling dusks as the sun drops behind the San Juan Mountains. “It’s not so easy as throwing water off a cliff and making ice,” Tyler said, teetering around the edge of the 200-foot deep canyon with a wrench in one hand and a propane torch in the other, cranking and thawing nozzles. “You’ve got to think about three things every night: Wind speed, temperature and water pressure.”
The water used at The Ouray Ice Park is from the municipal overflow tanks.
The park uses 660 gallons per minute, up to 200,000 gallons of water every night.
More than 7,000 feet of piping distributes water throughout the park.
For information
/ICE
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BLACK DIAMOND DAWN PATROL 32 A light pack that breaths, literally
W
hile gearing up for a backcountry tour in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, we grabbed a friend’s empty Dawn Patrol 32 and had to do a double take. Compared to the two other ski packs in our crew, it weighed next to nothing. At first that was a little odd, the pack isn’t a stiff freestanding bag like some, and it seemed a little flimsy. But two hours later on the slog up the skin track under the weight our heavy overbuilt bags, it began to make sense. Black Diamond says the Dawn Patrol series, with 15-, 25- and 32-liter sizes, is built for ultra light missions in mind, but it’s tough enough for a rowdy ski season. Certainly light, it takes on a more relaxed nature when not stuffed. Our own ski partner’s pack happened to be crammed to the gills and looked it, even though he said it only had a puffy, a windbreaker, a fleece, some spare gloves, snacks and water. According to him, the skier of the bunch, it was extremely stable and comfortable. The Dawn Patrol has standard ski pack features with
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some smart design. The form-fitting back panel padding was comfortable as were the shoulder straps. And the helmet net carrying system is a nice touch. There is a specific pocket for shovel and probe, and it looked like poles would fit in well for splitboarders. What splitboarders should know is that only the 32 liter size has a vertical board carry system. And there are ice axe loops for bigger missions. The back of the pack unzips, allowing easy access to stuff, and there is a sleeve for a hydration bladder. The best part of this pack is that it’s AvaLung equipped. The AvaLung Element is made for the Dawn Patrol packs. Also available from Black Diamond as an aftermarket sling for use with any pack, it’s a proven avalanche emergency apparatus that prolongs buried victims’ ability to breath in oxygen under snow by as much as 38 minutes. When a person is buried under
snow, their exhalations melt the snow around their face, creating an ice mask barrier that traps in CO2 and that, dear friends, is not good. A sort of a snorkel, by using an AvaLung, exhaled air is transported away from the victim’s face, allowing more time for rescue. All things considered, we just might be getting a Dawn Patrol pack for ourselves for daylong outings - and we’ll be adding on the AvaLung. Small/Medium, volume: 30 liters Medium/Large, volume 32 liters 2 pounds, 9 ounces $159.95 AvaLung Element $99.95 AvaLung Sling $119.99
ARC’TERYX RETHEL JACKET
eNZees FOOT SOOTHER
VOORMI ELEVEN.9 HOODIE
In a realm ruled by layering up, the lightly insulated parka-esque Arc’teryx Rethel Jacket strays from the pack a bit, but hits it out of the park as a technical, multi-functional piece. A tough element-proof Gore Thermium shell keeps you well protected from wind and weather in all but the wettest conditions, and Arc’teryx’s impressive Coreloft insulation – crimped polyester fibers that reduce bulk but not thermal properties - keeps you warm and cozy, blocking wind and retaining body heat with surprising breathability. We used it routinely on backcountry trips up to 13,000 feet, stuffing it in our packs until the descent, and also during the coldest storms of the season at Wolf Creek Ski Area, where the oversized insulated storm hood was pulled over our helmet the entire day. Nearly invisible diagonal side vents dump heat. Internal mesh pockets hold extra gloves and the weather proof zippers are solid. The Rethel also comes with a one kilogram Recco reflector for emergency location via a Recco radar detector device. This is no thin shell, but a lightly-insulated jacket that performs equally well in backcountry scenarios and resort laps.
We admit, the thought of wrapping wool around our raw pinky toe knuckles didn’t sound terrific, until we absolutely had to go run or go crazy. To our surprise, it worked like a charm. The New Zealand trick made its way to the United States thanks to Jill Shuman, who encountered foot issues while trekking across the country’s South Island. When a guide gave her a swath of wool fleece, the natural lanolin oil treated her skin and she was amazed and relieved of discomfort. Now eNZees Foot Soother is available in the U.S. and is quickly gaining a following from runners, skiers, snowboarders, backpackers, cyclists, cowboys and commuters. What they call “barely there” is accurate, you don’t notice the 100 percent organic wool fleece at all as it weaves its way into socks and seems to disappear within other garments. Oh yeah, it’s not just for feet either. Any hot spots will benefit from this natural remedy.
When we picked up the Eleven.9 Hoodie from Pagosa Springs, Colorado-based Voormi, a locally made and sourced outdoor apparel company that uses Rocky Mountain Merino wool, we weren’t sure what to expect. We thought we were getting a technical garment in the shape of a sweatshirt, and that’s kind of what it is, but we didn’t realize we would ski tour, rock climb, ice climb, camp, sleep, wear it to work, lounge around the house, go to the grocery store and not wash it for weeks on end and keep wearing it over and over. It became an instant favorite, and looks as new at Ten months old as the first time we put it on. Voormi calls it surface hardened: Take already burly Rocky Mountain Merino wool, treat it with a tough weather repellent and infuse it with hearty nylon. What you get is a weather resilient garment that sheds water like a duck and is just as nice on the couch as it is on a breezy summit or a hanging belay. $149
Good for about 15- 20 applications $11.95 per 6-ounce package
1.57 pounds – $549
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EXPLORE
Keeping Pace with Old Man Winter
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by BRANDON MATHIS
J
ust because a little snow falls doesn’t mean your running regiment has to fall off the radar. Just ask these die-hard trail heads, tearing up Colorado trails looking for winter fun. And they find it. World-renowned professional trail runner and Salomon athlete Anna “Frosty” Frost says it’s special. “It can be really enjoyable,” she said. “It’s so beautiful. I’m running the same trails that I do in the summer and I don’t even know where I am.” That’s not to say it’s easy. “It’s sometimes hard to motivate on days like today,” said trail runner Liane Jollon on a 20-degree morning. “I think you get warm, and there are endorphins from running. There’s a sense of accomplishment and I think you know you’re doing something great for your body.” Members of the Durango (Colorado) Running Club note frozen toes and stinging cheeks, but laugh off the cold temps instead of complaining. As trail running explodes across America, it still falls behind other winter sports when the temperatures drop. But while summer trails bustle with runners, hikers and bikers all seeking their own slice of solitude, winter runners usually have whole forests to themselves. “It’s different when you’re out here and the only thing you hear are your footsteps, and you – breathing” said Brett Sublett, owner of Durango Running Company. “It’s your interaction with the natural world. I’ve been running my whole life and I’ve run marathons with 30,000 people in the New York City Marathon. It’s the same sport but it’s completely different. Where you are in your headspace is different. It’s more of a moving meditation.”
For more information, visit
/TRAILSHOES
That peace is key
“Just being away from everything in the real world,” said Frost. “It’s the freedom, being in the mountains. Running can take you to a really beautiful place.” So, the next time you feel a little cabin fever when it’s cold outside, think about hitting the trails. Odds are you wont regret it. “You never hear anyone get back from a run and say, ‘Oh, I wish I hadn’t gone,’” Sublett said. WINTER2017 51
EXPLORE
Trail gaiters Trail ready Take a bite out of winter
Fend off the cold
Winter. Sometimes the snow sticks to everything: Trails, sidewalks, pavement, you name it. But that still doesn’t mean you have to turn on a treadmill. Durango Running Company owner Brett Sublett shares four ways to fight the slip and slide in winter conditions, from the thinnest ice to the deepest powder.
We got a few bits of advice from globe-trotting professional runner Anna “Frosty” Frost and Colorado running coach Brett Sublett on how to dress up when the temperatures go down.
1 Running-specific snowshoes, $100 - $300
When it gets really deep, snowshoes are the way to go. Unlike typically wide, awkward snowshoes, running snowshoes take footwear down to a low profile trail shoe, and their narrow, ultralight design is appropriate for a runner’s gait. “More conducive to your natural foot strike,” Sublett said. “So your feet aren’t as wide spread.”
3 Spikes, $20 - $50
These micro-stud nets slip over shoes like spicy little booties. They’re far less aggressive than crampons, designed for just the right amount of grip when you need it: On black ice, that slick walk to work or shoveling the driveway. Super durable carbide-tipped studs last forever, so you can wear them over anything without worry. They’re great for some reassurance or those slick patches and mixed conditions encountered on any run.
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1 Be aggressive
Pick a shoe with an aggressive tread or use traction devices. Frost says she is always looking for maximum tenacity. “I like grip, whether I’m running in flat terrain or not,” she said.
2 Layer correctly
2 Crampons, $40 - $70
Think of a mountaineer’s fanged crampons, then shrink them down for a running shoe. These highly effective devices slip on your favorite runners and clench onto packed snow and ice. They’re small and stuffable, so you can throw them in your pocket until you need them.
“You produce a lot of heat when you’re running, so it doesn’t take much,” Sublett said. He recommends a base layer on top and bottom, and windproof brief, for those sensitive areas. Think Windstopper underwear: Never be afraid of the wind again.
3 Tighten up
If you haven’t already, this is your chance to slip on a pair of tights. “These are versatile,” Sublett said. Good for Nordic skiing, under your ski pants on super cold days. “They crossover to a lot of different activities.”
4 Windproof
Outer shell layers don’t have to be much more than weatherresistant and windproof. “You’re not riding a ski lift,” Sublett said. “You can go minimal on the clothing.”
5 El naturel
4 Winter-specific running shoes, $75 - $175
Several companies produce a winterspecific trail runner, which include all the best armor against the elements. They may be waterproof, have builtin studs, aggressive lugs and even attached gaiters that seal out snow and cold.
Merino wool is back in the hot seat and you’ll find everything from underwear to neck gaiters to socks made from the soft, thermal fibers. Frosty, like hordes of other runners, likes her wool socks.
6 Slip on some gaiters
Just like their giant knee-high cousins, these ankle-high running gaiters are snow shields to keep the white stuff out and the hot stuff in. Some trail shoes even come gaiter ready (gaiters keep rocks out just as well as snow) and other winter specific shoes have them built in.
Can’t feel your toes?
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Your One Stop Spot For Everything Running! 473 E College Dr Durango CO 81301 970-764-4366 durangorunning.com @durangorunningcompany HOURS : MON - SAT 10AM - 6PM & SUN 12PM - 5PM WINTER2017 53
GET FAT
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WINTER2017 55
GET FAT Fat biking is said to have dual beginnings: one in the deserts of southern New Mexico and one in Alaskan snow. Someone cleverly started welding rims together and tying tires together for better flotation in both of the kooky environments. It’s believable, because these monster trucks of mountain biking are as equally at home on dunes of sand as they are in drifts of powder. “When I was a kid, I loved to go out and play in the snow,” said Joey Ernst, owner of Velorution Cycles and co-owner of Bedrock Bags in Durango, Colorado. “That part of me just never really grew up.” Velorution just may be the only shop of its kind in existence, a full-service bike shop/bag manufacturer that specializes in bike packing - a blend of backpacking and mountain biking. Ernst’s partner, Andrew Wracher, handmakes their ultra-burly bags on site specifically for bike touring and other budding genres of off-road cycling. After chasing Ernst around the snow-laden trails, it’s easy to see that kid within, under an icy beard and stiffened face. “I’d smile, but my face is frozen,” he said after a few single-digit miles above Durango. “But it’s really fun to go out and get fresh tracks on a powder day. That’s not something you can do on bicycles. I don’t ski, so this is the way I get out in the winter time.” With rosy, rigid cheeks, Sandhya Tillotson called it playful, despite the temps. “It’s fricking cold,” she said. “But at least the sun is coming out.” She said she likes venturing off trail. Both Ernst and Tillotson are avid adventure cyclists, touring broad landscapes in all conditions. When these two go for a ride untethered by a media crew, they’re not coming back for a while. “It’s such an unexpected joy,” she said. “It opens up so many possibilities and new places that you can’t even ride in the summer.”
”–
m t y face u b , e l i i m s fr s d ’ oze “I n!
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st Ern ey Jo
Get in Gear A quick fat bike checklist for having big fat fun
“I
t’s all about the gear,” says Joey Ernst of Velorution Cycles and Bedrock Bags. “You can go out in 30 degrees and be miserable if you have the wrong gear, or you can go out in 10 below and be perfectly comfortable if you have the proper gear.” After a 10-degree February morning of breaking trail in the southern Rockies, Ernst took us back to his shop to show us some of that perfect gear. >>>
Pogies
Pogies are hand covers that live on your handlebars.
Boots
Winter riding boots are designed to keep feet warm and dry while providing good traction in and out of pedals.
Tires
The tires, now that’s where thing get really interesting. It might be fair to say to ride fat is to ride flat. Here’s why: Pumping up your road or mountain bike tires takes a while: Eighty, 90 or even 100 pounds of pressure per square inch for roadies. You can drop that for your mountain bike. Thirty pounds, 35, maybe even 40 PSI, if you’re cranking a lot of hard pack. But for your fat bike, simmer down. Those big tires won’t take much. Ernst says to go low. Way low. “Tire pressure is super crucial,” Ernst says. “It is the No. 1 thing that determines how a fat bike rides.” Ernst prefers tubeless tires. You can run even lower pressure and they won’t go flat nearly as easily. While there are tire gauges made specifically for fat bike tires, Ernst recommends getting to know pressure by pure feel. He likes about a pound and a half PSI – yes, we said one and a half pounds - and using his thumbs to gauge the pressure when he’s adding or releasing air, he knows exactly what he’s looking for. But it’s fun to test anyway. “One and half PSI,” he said, pulling the gauge off the tire stem on his personal bike. “When it comes to fat bikes, it’s all about the tires. You have more surface area with the larger tires, so you can run much lower pressure, and that tire spreads out over the snow surface allowing you to have more flotation,” he said. Ernst said there are various treads, some made for trails and dry conditions, and others made purely for snow. He added that with most normal mountain bike tires, a few PSI might go unnoticed, but with a fat bike, as little as half a PSI can make a huge difference.
For more information visit
/FAT
2ndavesports.com WINTER2017 57
EXPLORE
The Wolf Creek Snow Pack This ski area boasts the most snow in Colorado
by BRANDON MATHIS ot many resorts in Colorado’s ski country are still independently owned and operated. But Wolf Creek Ski Area isn’t your typical resort. In fact, it’s not really a resort at all. While there is homemade green chili at the base of the mountain, there isn’t exactly a five star condo in sight. And owners Rosanne and Davey Pitcher aren’t exactly making decisions over a boardroom conference call; They’re on the mountain, all season long and then some. And they like it that way. “We’re ski operators, because we love to ski,” Rosanne said. On any given day she’s buzzing around the ticket window, or calling the shots for the marketing department. Davey blends in with patrollers on the snow. And together they taste test carrot cake recipes and troubleshoot lift ops. But that snow is what it’s all about, because on top of some incredible terrain, that’s all there is. And if you don’t mind a stunning ridgeline hike at 11,500 feet, edging along the Continental Divide, then you’ll find even more.
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“Wolf Creek has a wide variety of terrain,” Davey said. “A lot of good expert terrain. People want to go out and ski in an unfettered environment that allows them to have somewhat of a backcountry experience.” And a five- or 10-minute walk will always lead to better snow. “Four or five days after a storm, there’s still incredibly good powder to be had,” he said. Or skiers can catch a snowcat up and drop into the Horseshoe Bowl. Steep and deep. Period. And, it’s no secret they have a lock on the early season – just ask the U.S. Ski Team. One recent winter, the mountain opened with 36 inches on Oct. 3: A pretty good opening day. Wolf Creek is out of the way, far from the glamor, lift lines and the hype. You might say it’s even a little hard to get to, which makes it even better. So, how much snow does Wolf Creek get? Four hundred inches, or 33 feet, of snow each year – the most snow in Colorado.
FIVE ONE
Wolf Creek is family-owned and operated, and owners Davey and Rosanne Pitcher aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. In fact, they’re working right now.
TWO
THREE
The mountain gets so much snow that avalanches are a concern on steeper slopes. That’s why Wolf Creek is now home to the largest explosive avalanche mitigation system in North America, and on any stormy morning, it shakes the snow beneath your feet. For more information, visit
The ski area is called “The Most Snow in Colorado,” because it literally gets the most snow in Colorado: 400 inches a year.
/WOLFCREEK
Colorado Love Outdoors
Reasons why Wolf Creek is the bomb!
FOUR
Half of the mountain is beginner or intermediate skiing, and half is advanced or expert skiing. Some of the best advanced terrain is accessed by hiking off the top of the chairlift. Start hoofing it. It’s worth it.
FIVE
The top of the mountain is the actual Continental Divide, shedding water west to the Pacific Ocean or east to the Atlantic Ocean.
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VISTAS
While skiing Taos Ski Valley’s new chair to Kachina Peak Tara King of Taos, New Mexico noticed the clouds and the bumps created a strange visual landscape that reminded her of Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, lots of texture and light play, weird colors and an otherworldly quality.
“I felt like I was on another planet,” she said. “Taos has world class skiing and riding, gorgeous rivers, lots of individual characters, cultures and creative people. It is high desert meets rugged mountains and river canyons. It feels and looks like Mars, but with grocery stores. It is not an easy place to live, but it is massively rewarding. The saying here is that Taos Mountain either accepts you, or unceremoniously throws you out. I’ve been welcomed many times by the mountains and am honored to live here.” Instagram user @TaraKing575 Find your next adventure
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