WILD VOICES

Kristi Haner and Alex Tibiero: Skiing, Silversmithing & Solitude

A socially isolated gig caretaking for the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado, sets the stage for surplus ski laps and an artisan jewelry making business

BY STEPHANIE MALTARICH

On a crisp January day, Kristi Haner and Alex Tibiero spend “We arrived in the fall and didn’t know what to expect, but we the morning studying for their Avalanche Level 2 course. The were ready for anything,” Haner said. couple backcountry skis on most days throughout the winter. The advanced course would help them better understand the intricacies THE CARETAKING LIFE of Colorado’s fickle snowpack. Before their life as caretakers and jewelry makers, Haner worked

Their cabin is homey and welcoming. Buddhist prayer flags hang as a data analyst for a mapmaking company, and Tibiero spent above the porch; the couple hangs over a decade living out of tents a new set each winter. Inside, the as an instructor for NOLS and wood-burning stove roars while ski Outward Bound while working as a boots dry by the fire. Dry goods line stonemason between seasons. the kitchen shelves, and topo maps The first winter was exciting, but adorn the walls. The south facing they learned a few lessons; they windows bring tremendous light ran out of food and wood. A few into the small room that is warmly years ago their septic system failed, decorated with plants. A freshly forcing them to use the outhouse baked loaf of no-knead bread sits for three months. By spring, they are on the counter. usually over it — tired of putting on

“Visitors are usually surprised ski boots just to step outside. And to see how cozy the cabin is,” then there’s shoveling. The constant Tibiero laughs. “People think we are shoveling to keep snow from roughing it more than we are.” covering their windows gets old, but

Haner and Tibiero have found that’s part of life in Gothic, and they what many of us are searching for: accept it. solitude and time. Yet, they admit that caretaking

Haner and Tibiero both grew isn’t too challenging; it’s mostly fun, up in Upstate New York. As kids, and having each other helps, too. they met at a summer camp. They They work alongside two other lost touch for a while, but reunited winter caretakers to manage the when they became climbing partners, which is when they also This is the cabin where Alex and Kristi spend the winter.photo by Petar Dopchev property owned by Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL). The started dating. scientific research station hosts

In 2015 while living in Boulder, Colorado, Haner and Tibiero scientists studying high alpine ecosystems, flora and fauna and were perusing Craigslist. They stumbled upon an ad seeking climate change each summer. caretakers in the remote town of Gothic, Colorado, eight miles During their first season, they managed the reservations and from Crested Butte. The ad stated it was a last-minute gig, and maintenance of the huts along with the local weather station. a couple was preferred. They kept rooftop solar panels clear and made sure the doors of

They wanted to get out of the city and move further West, so 70 buildings around the property weren’t blown in. This winter will they responded to the ad and were hired as winter caretakers in mark their sixth season caretaking in Gothic. They drive in supplies Gothic, where the winter population totals four residents. They had October 1 and remain until June 1 — or until the snow melts. never been to Crested Butte or the surrounding area, but they were Over five seasons, their responsibilities have evolved. In addition excited about the unknown. They packed their bags in the fall and to caretaking RMBL’s property, they dig snowpits for snow science committed to an isolated winter where the only option in and out research for Colorado Avalanche Information Center and NASA. is by a three-mile ski. Otherwise, you’ll find them skiing and making jewelry.

Left: Haner and Tibiero on their way to town. This skin track is how they access the cabin and vice versa. photo by Petar Dopchev

Below: Tibiero and Haner hanging out in their burning stove heated “living room.” photo by Petar Dopchev

SKIING AS A WAY OF LIFE

Skiing is one of the main attractions of the caretaking gig. Tibiero skis every day, while Haner skis most days.

“You definitely have to want to ski every day,” Haner said.

Avalanches have been a regular occurrence, some years more than others. Last spring, during historic snowstorms, avalanches released from above and slid into the cabin. The couple admits it was scary.

There are times when Tibiero skis alone on low angled slopes; five years of living and skiing every day has left him feeling comfortable in some locations. Maybe too comfortable. He admits he’s had some chilling experiences.

This past winter on a high danger day, he skied a low-angled familiar slope down to the road. As he skied out, he looked back to see two avalanches running across the road. The image of his ski tracks buried in the pile of debris made him feel sick.

“I shouldn’t have been there,” he recalled. “I almost threw up.”

It was the first time he’d witnessed slides of that scale cross the road; an occurrence that hadn’t been repeated since 1976. He was hard on himself in the following weeks while he questioned his decision making. Now, he no longer skis on high danger days.

“Life is more important than low angled powder,” Tibiero said.

JEWELRY MAKING IN ISOLATION

During the first winter, they knew they had to keep themselves busy: caretaking duties only averaged four hours a week.

They attempted a few new hobbies: knitting, watercolor painting and sewing. But, nothing seemed to stick. Haner knitted a hat and didn’t feel compelled to knit a second. Tibiero didn’t find much interest in any of the hobbies.

“I had a really bad attention span,” he said laughing. Haner wasn’t giving up, though. So she used her tax return to buy silversmithing tools. They learned to make jewelry through trial and error and by watching YouTube videos.

Now, they are a silversmithing couple. They created their company, Gothic Mountain Jewelers, inspired by the 12,000-foot peak that towers over the valley. Their silver jewelry is a throwback to the area’s heyday of silver mining at the end of the 19th century.

They sell their pieces on Etsy, Instagram and at local farmer’s markets during the summer when they live on their property in Pitkin.

After searching for several years, they found Pitkin to be the most affordable property in Colorado. Then, they made plans to build.

They spent this past summer constructing a 576-square foot tiny home they designed with the help of friends and family. It boasts high ceilings and an 18-foot wall.

“We learned what we wanted our house to be like living in Gothic,” Tibiero said.

On October 1, Haner and Tibiero packed up and drove back to Gothic for their sixth season. After a rigorous summer building, Haner said she was ready to slow down and settle back into cabin life.

Follow Haner and Tibiero on Instagram at @gothicmtnjewelers and @our.pitkin.home

STEPHANIE MALTARICH is a writer and audio producer who loves stories about humans doing interesting things in the wild. She lives off a country road in Gunnison, Colorado. When she’s not glued to her computer, you’ll find her searching for lesstraveled trails in the Elk Mountains by foot, bike or ski.