Elevation Outdoors January-February 2016

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CONTENTS

January-February 2016

POWDER! Looking for the perfect spot to snowmobile, ski, snowshoe, or enjoy other winter pastimes? Look to Rio Grande Country!

Wolf Creek Ski Area averages over 460 inches of snow a year, the most of all ski areas in Colorado. This year, weather forecasters predict Super El Niño will bring 140 percent of average snowfall!

South Fork: closest town to the ski area. Del Norte: Newly remodeled brew pub and great places to stay.

Monte Vista: Centrally located in the San Luis Valley.

Visit www.riograndecountry.com to learn about all the great festivals and events this winter.

Book your next great adventure today!

BEING THE CHANGE: GRETCHEN BLEILER TALKS ABOUT HAVING FUN ON HER SPLITBOARD AND GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE IN PARIS. SEE PAGE 25.

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

7 EDITOR’S LETTER

26 ALPINE FITNESS

The joys of treehugging.

Want to really get in shape this winter? We suggest you follow the lead of your local mountain guide.

By Rob Coppolillo

8 QUICK HITS Booze and enlightenment in Carbondale, Yellowstone in winter, Alex Honnold and more...

14 FLASHPOINT

33 MEET COLORADO'S RESIDENT BADASSES

19 THE TRAIL

This fall, we asked our readers to vote to determine who truly wows them in this state full of overachievers. Meet the winners.

Download the GPS coordinates to tour for powder at Butler Gulch.

36 THE POWDER HIGHWAY

Should ski partols unionize?

20 HOT SPOT Seek the sun in Sedona, Arizona.

If you hit the road for one ski/ snowboard trip this winter, head to Canada. Melissa McGibbon gives you all the info you need to know.

22 NUMEROLOGY Big data on uphill skiing.

37 BACKCOUNTRY GEAR

25 STRAIGHT TALK

These tools will make your time out in wild snow safer ... and more fun.

Gretchen Bleiler on the lessons of COP21 and benefits of meditation.

photo above courtesy GRETCHEN BLEILER

42 HEAR THIS The drama of Ween's reunion.

44 THE ROAD Max Lowe on how you can always come home again to Montana.

46 ELWAYVILLE. Peter Kray trashes top ten lists in this, his latest top ten list.

WANT MORE? C ATC H

U P ON PAST ISSU ES, YOU R FAVORITE B LOG G E RS A N D DAILY ON LIN E-ON LY CON TEN T AT ElevationOutdoors.com COVER PHOTO BY A N D R EW BYD LON / C AVEM A N C OLLEC TIVE IT'S N O SU R PR ISE TH AT OU R REA D ERS VOTED FOR TOM M Y C A LDW ELL AS COLOR A DO'S RESID EN T BADASS. (PG 33).

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01. 16

WHO IS THE BIGGEST BADASS TO EVER DRAG YOU AROUND OUT IN THE WILD? DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN I went canyoneering with Rich Rudow and Todd Martin in the Grand Canyon. It felt so safe to be rappelling after “hiking” on falland-die terrain with them.

ELIZABETH O'CONNELL My grandad used to take me and my cousins out to hike and build forts. He was the biggest badass that I've ever known. Jim shared his passion and inspired his grandchildren to respect the wild.

CAMERON MARTINDELL Two for me: a short day trip of ice climbing with Estes Park resident badass Eli Helmuth, owner of Climbing Life Guides, and climbing Mt. Rainier with Lou Whittaker back in the 1990s when I was working for MountainZone.com.

JOSEPH RISI This old guy named Lou Dawson took me skiing high above a marble quarry in Colorado. I was a third his age but he skinned like an overcaffeinated child with a new puppy.

I, on the other hand, tattooed the skintrack with my breakfast burrito.

MAX LOWE My dad Conrad Anker has been dragging me into wilder and wilder places over the years, and his badassery has not diminished.. At 50, he climbed Everest without oxygen. He completed Meru the year before, and this year he is working on some other impossibly torturous and suffer-congested climb in the remote Himalaya with young gun David Lama.

TOM WINTER I was chasing Shane McConkey around in Portillo, Chile. Our feet were swollen from traveling, so we both were in amazing pain in our ski boots. But McConkey made it fun, even with the pain. He always made skiing fun.

EDITOR’S LETTER

01.16

ARBOREAL EMBRACE: EDITOR DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN FEELING SOME LOVE WITH “THE OLD RED OAK” ON A COMPANY RETREAT AT SUMMIT PUBLISHING HEADQUARTERS IN VIRGINIA LAST MONTH.

TREEHUGGING

photo ELIZABETH O'CONNELL

I

am not afriad to hug a tree. I mean really, to physically go out and embrace a giant. Please go ahead and call me a treehugger. I couldn't care less. I think that my dedication to preserving the beautiful creations of this Earth shows a hell of a lot more courage than your jaded ephitet. Besides, it really does feel good. Go ahead, try it sometime. It feels better than looking at your phone. It won't let go. Together you can feel both the great, overarching connectivity and roots of this planet, and the sad music of how we can so easily lose it.

The last tree I hugged was simply called "The Old Red Oak" in the woods of Mint Springs Valley Park at our company retreat at Summit Publishing in Virginia. Yes, actaully hugging this tree that had enough gravitas to be marked out from all the others in the forest was a joke. But sometimes it is our jokes that teach us the most. It felt good. Thank you, Old Red Oak. I know now why someone chose to name you. You are here alone now. The last. I feel you.

The Swiss writer Herman Hesse said: “When we are stricken and cannot bear our lives any longer, then a tree has something to say to us: Be still!

Be still! Look at me! Life is not easy, life is not difficult. Those are childish thoughts. Let God speak within you, and your thoughts will grow silent.”

Yes, and even in the middle of a joke and all the noise of deadlines and our self-defeating Internet news cycle, I hear that silence.

To tell the truth, I have always found solace by trees. I grew up around the giant oaks of the East Coast. One at the top of the hill of my brick elementary school would softly wave its leaves above me (and maybe drop an acorn or two) as I lay out on the grass looking up, no idea where or how my life would end up but simply grateful for a big moment of childhood aimlessness. I loved the maples outside my bedroom window. Out West, I found cottonwoods, some of them hulking remnants, like sleepwalkers drifting out onto the plains as the power corridor of highways and condos forever eats up their once lonely praire.

There's the live oak I planted in front of my own house. I go out on winter nights and listen to the still rustling dry leaves on its branches under the stars.

Have you ever hiked through a clear cut? I worked in forestry. I have been certified to run a chainsaw and have to admit there are few thrills like putting the bar down into wood. I understand the realities. I have taken part in them, thinned, marked timber sale boundaries. But the planet is losing 18 million acres of forest every year. Those are not just trees that are gone from this planet: It's understory, and habitat, and silence. And there are plenty of people out there who could care less. The oldest living thing on this planet is a 5,065-year-old bristlecone pine. It's location must be kept a secret.

So try it. Just go physically hug a tree. Listen to its silence.

And then speak up. Because someone has to soon.

J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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QUICK HITS

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TECHNOLOGY

BIG CHILL: WINTER, WHEN VISITORS HAVE TO SKI THE SUMMER ROADS, IS THE BEST TIME TO WATCH WILDLIFE IN YELLOWSTONE. photo PATTI SHALES LEFKOS

AVANET Last year, the team at Avatech released a revolutionary new Smart Probe to map the layers in any given snowpack.

While that hardware is intended for professionals (ski patrol, guides, etc.), the team just launched Avanet, a Cloudbased avalanche information reporting app (iOS) complete with maps, route finding and information sourced from backcountry safety organizations, pros and enthusiasts. Free-$10; avatech.com

YELLOWSTONE IN WINTER IN SEARCH OF FROSTY BISON.

GEAR WE LOVE IBEX GALLATIN WOOL PANT On cold days, it’s nice to have a hefty pair of pants to keep the chill at bay.

Add to the heft a good cut and premium brushed twill merino wool and you have the perfect trousers for mountain play (as well as urban roaming). $170; ibex.com

BOOKS ALONE ON THE WALL Alex Honnold does have climbing partners, but where he’s made his name is in the world of free soloing.

Without a rope, he has climbed big walls around the world, and in this book he provides an intimate perspective. $27; alexhonnold.com 8

Whispering along tracks made just seconds before by those in front of me, my charcoal touring skis glide effortlessly through knee-deep Yellowstone National Park February powder. Sun crystals glimmer on the untouched snow along Cascade Creek. Mountain chickadee chirps mingle with the rhythmic rasp of our breathing. We are 12 silent backcountry skiers, combing the wilderness for a photogenic frosty bison.

The majority of Yellowstone’s annual visitors (more than three million) crowd the park during peak summer season, seeking close encounters with bison, elk, wolves, grizzlies and coyotes.

Motorcycles roar and campgrounds bulge. Stars compete with TV’s flickering from titanic RV’s.

There are far fewer visitors in winter and 80 percent of these favor snow coach day trips to Old Faithful.

We’re 20 miles from the chaos on a five-day yurt-camp-and-ski-tour adventure based at Canyon Village. Our small group ranges in age from 35 to 82. Owner Arden Bailey reigns over the camp powered by automobile batteries, propane and boxed wine bound with duct tape.

Now we are alone in a snow-globe wilderness of untracked alabaster hills, lodge pole pines and steaming hot springs, a playground larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.

Ski tour leader, Audrey Gehlhausen, dreadlocks flopping haphazardly behind her multi-colored headband, leads us into the 50 square-mile expanse of the pristine sub-alpine Hayden Valley. Stretching from Canyon to Yellowstone Lake, this ancient lakebed was explored by Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden, whose 1871 survey led to the creation of Yellowstone National Park. We meander along the route from Crater Hills to Sulphur Geyser on the lookout for those bison.

Where snow melts into warm earth near the spouts of Sulphur Geyser, we remove our skis and explore. After lunch, Audrey produces a hoof pick

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from her backpack. Like well-trained horses, we lift each foot in turn as she scrapes our mud caked boot soles. We refasten our bindings for the afternoon ski to Forest Hot Springs.

Our second foray, the Washburn Loop, begins with pratfalls and face plants as we descend through crusty snow to a peaceful forest track and Decision Meadows. Civil War hero and Congressional representative Henry D. Washburn ascended the 10,243-foot Mount Washburn here in 1870. Several skiers opt for the strenuous climb to a lookout point over Hayden Valley. Others choose the shorter route to East Washburn (Jimmy Hoffa) Hot Springs, backtracking through the forest then climbing steep switchbacks to the sunset-silhouetted snow coach.

Still no frosty bison.

The following morning Swarovski-like crystals shimmer on fresh snow as we skirt the shoreline headed toward the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. The grand yellow edifice, with majestic white columns reminiscent of a southern plantation, opened in 1891. Still no frosty bison.

On the final day, skies clear after a second night of flurries. Audrey leads the last tour along Cascade Creek. Off to my left, a monolithic snowcrusted boulder waddles mysteriously. The cleverly disguised bison raises its mangy head. Secretly I peer through my camera lens. The bison stares back, ready for his close up.

—Patti Shales Lefkos

BRIDGING A GAP MEET THE CRESTED BUTTE AVALANCHE CENTER

There's nothing scarier than hearing a giant slab of snow settle underfoot as you search for fresh tracks. Most Colorado backcountry adventurers can minimize risk by checking the avalanche forecast, but what if there isn’t one for where you want to go?

Enter Crested Butte Avalanche Center (CBAC), a non-profit avalanche center focused on providing daily avalanche advisories for the community.

Locals started CBAC in 2003 because there was no detailed forecast for Crested Butte. Now, lead

forecaster and Executive Director Zach Guy and his team observe, record and report on daily weather, snowpack and avalanche activity, and they provide updated avalanche danger ratings accessible by phone, internet and radio.

“The west end of the range averages over 600 inches per year while the east gets half that or less, which means that, within our forecast zone, we have totally different conditions and dangers,” explains Guy, who holds an MS in Snow Science.” Having a local forecaster who can address these differences and specifics is key to keeping people safe.”

Providing information that ideally helps prevent deaths and injuries is critical, since locals and tourists alike flock to explore the area on snowshoes, snowmobiles, skinny skis and fat boards. Though most use is concentrated in a few drainages, the CBAC makes sure to also report on less traveled areas. But, with only a small team to cover a huge area, they can’t do it alone. To forecast more accurately, the CBAC relies on five remote weather stations, professional observations from Irwin Cat Ski Guides and Crested Butte Resort snow safety teams and field observations from community members.

Though the goal is to provide the most current and up-to-date information so users can make smart decisions about heading to the hills, another huge component is raising awareness through community outreach. Not only does CBAC host events like the Beacon Brush-Up, but forecasters and board members also touch base with users and provide on-site education at busy trailheads, snowmobile races and the Backcountry Film Fest.

“Getting people to even think about avalanches before they head out is a huge part of our job,” says Guy, who just became the Center’s first full-time employee. “We’re excited to keep increasing our impact and grow our budget so we can add another full-time forecaster and improve even more.”

—Chris Kassar

OFFICIAL PARTNER

BE BOLD

Robin Kaleta

Jan Tekel

GET INVOLVED: Become a member, donate, sign up for advisories, follow CBAC on Facebook and/or submit an observation at: cbavalanchecenter.org.

COSMIC COULOIR GTX JacKET DANGER ZONE: CBAC FORECASTER EVAN ROSS SKINS ACROSS SOME FRESH AVALANCHE DEBRIS EN ROUTE TO INVESTIGATING A NATURAL AVALANCHE ON AFLEY PEAK, WEST OF CRESTED BUTTE.

Its name says it all: This jacket is built for commited freeride. The combination of the 3-layer Gore-Tex Ripstop Holberg body and the 3-layer Gore-Tex Khumba panels makes it rugged! It delivers a good durability-to-weight ratio with a longwearing abrasion resistance that does not sacrifice lightweight performance. Sealed seams and water repellent zips makes this jacket 100% waterproof and an integrated powder skirt is joined to a stretched fabric band to create a barrier against snow without losing mobility.

photo ZACH GUY

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QUICK HITS

01.16

CARBONDALE, COLORADO

BOOZE, ENLIGHTENMENT AND ICE AWAIT YOU IN COLORADO’S COOLEST LITTLE TOWN. EAT | Just off Carbondale's main drag is a little oasis of enlightenment. True Nature Healing Arts (truenaturehealingarts.com) offers up everything you might expect—yoga classes, spa treatments and gardens graced with reclining Buddhas—as well as one of the best vegan cafes and tea houses in the state. It's more than that, everything here is meatfree, dairy-free, gluten-free and non-GMO. Oh, and delicious. The kitchen is simply an extension of the vibe of the entire place, which puts all the

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PEACE ISLAND: TRUE NATURE IS CARBONDALE'S SECRET OASIS, AND BEST SPOT FOR A CHAI. photo TRUE NATURE

lessons learned in yoga and meditative thinking into the food it creates. Better still, the owners have big plans to expand this peaceful spot into a larger retreat and festival center and continue hosting likeminded folks. Oh, and don't leave without taking a walk down the stone reflexology path.

SLEEP | You may have a hard time booking a room at the inn at Marble Distilling Co. (marbledistilling.com)—there are only five—but

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you will be glad to stumble up to it after sampling craft vodka and gingercello made by Connie Baker downstairs. (And wake up to a killer Bloody Mary.)

PLAY | Carbondale is home to Rock and Ice (and, at one time, Climbing) magazine and SplitterChoss. com, so it's no surprise that there's plenty of frozen water to scale around here come winter. Head to the Crystal River Valley, just down the road, to try it.

—Doug Schnitzsphan

OFFICIAL APPAREL PARTNER

LOCAL THREADS

SHREDLY'S ASHLEY RANKIN INFUSES BIKING GARB WITH COLOR FOR THE LADIES. I was riding out of town towards the trail, blissed out on the big purple-andwhite Collegiate Peaks views ahead of me, when a gal in a pick-up truck pulled up alongside me.

“Hate to interrupt your ride,” she drawled, “but where’d you get them britches?”

Them britches were my swirly-patterned, multi-colored Shredly baggies.

The attention they were drawing was exactly what creator Ashley Rankin had in mind when she thought up Shredly after a failed shopping attempt in 2010.

“All the mountain biking shorts out there had a terrible case of the B’s— black, boring, baggy—and to be honest, they looked like they were made for the boys,” she said.

With dual degrees in apparel design and production and business marketing, Rankin built on her idea for fun and functional riding apparel for ladies and completed a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2012. That effort, coupled with the indispensable support of friends and family, allowed her to launch a line of stylish shorts, jerseys, knickers and leggings to the applause of adventurous ladies everywhere.

Although Shredly gear is engineered for mountain biking, its true beauty is that, like that the ladies who wear it, it performs just as well on-trail as it does scrambling over boulders, floating down rivers, surfing or just drinking beer by the campfire.

—Betsy Welch J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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QUICK HITS

INSIDE TRACKS

01.16

WE ASKED THREE COLORADO MOUNTAIN GUIDES TO REVEAL THE BACKCOUNTRY SKI LINES THAT MAKE THEIR HEARTS SING.

NATE ROWLAND ASPEN ALPINE GUIDES North Face of Maroon Peak, Maroon BellsSnowmass Wilderness. “I like how airy the line feels from the top as the snowfields and ledges drop away from you.”

TIMELESS: THE VIEW AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK ENDURES. photo NPS

THE BIG CENTURY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS.

On August 25, 2016 the National Park Service (NPS) will be celebrating its 100th birthday as steward of the most stunning, and scenic wonders, the United States has to offer. In honor of this auspicious occasion they have teamed up with the National Parks Foundation to launch the FindYourPark.com website. It’s filled with centennial events being held across the country in the 409 separate parks, monuments and other site designations under the NPS umbrella. One of the

cooler offerings on the site is the ability to upload your experience on the Share Your Park page, and spread your story via Twitter and Facebook. If you are thinking about digging deeper into one of the parks, REI is offering 35 different trips ranging from three to 10 days in length, which cater to varying levels of difficulty. Ten percent of the cost is donated to the NPS. Plus, families of fourthgraders gain free entrance to every site for the whole family during 2016 with the Every Kid in a Park initiative. So make way to a national park, after years of budget cuts, they need all the cash we can offer. Plus, it’s a birthday party.

—Hudson Lindenberger

NATE DISSER SAN JUAN MOUNTAIN GUIDES Snake Couloir on Mount Sneffels. “The north face of Mount Sneffels calls to you. Snake Couloir offers everything—steep skiing, powder skiing, narrow sections, wide sections. It’s awesome.”

NICK VINCENT PARAGON GUIDES Notch Couloir on Notch Mountain, Holy Cross Wilderness. “I skied it in July and the couloir delivered perfect corn, allowing us to link turns 800 feet down a hallway of rock and snow.”

Avalanche awareness and safety is a must in the backcountry. If you’re unsure, go with a guide.

And check out EO’s Backcountry 101 primer here: j.mp/EO-BC101 —Avery Stonich

WANT TO DETERMINE THE BEST OUTDOOR ICONS IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES?

SPEAK UP!

WE WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU THINK DESERVES TO BE CROWNED AS BEST OF THE ROCKIES 2016 IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

DESTINATIONS, BUSINESSES, AND EVENTS ELEVATIONOUTDOORS.COM/BEST-OF-THE-ROCKIES 12

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FLASHPOINT

01.16

DUES TIME?

SHOULD SKI PATROLLERS UNIONIZE TO BETTER NEGOTIATE FOR THE DANGEROUS WORK THEY DO OUT ON THE SLOPES? WHILE EFFORTS AT SOME RESORTS HAVE BORN FRUIT, PATROLLERS AT TAOS SKI VALLEY ARE STILL ON THE FENCE.

by TOM WINTER

O

n November 12, 2015, the Taos Ski Patrol voted on unionization. The for/against tally split down the middle, with 22 for and 22 against. The verdict: the patrol would remain as it is.

One ballot, the deciding ballot, was blank. We will never know if unionization would have moved the needle for the members of this year’s Taos ski patrol, a group that had expressed concerns about benefits, pay and advancement opportunities.

However, in the period leading up to the vote Taos’ management had moved to address some of the photo by TOM WINTER

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concerns that had been festering with patrollers for over a year, including raising the minimum pay to $10 an hour and formalizing requirements for promotion.

Resorts like Taos tend to attract the best of the best when it comes to ski patrol. Part of the draw is the challenging nature of the work.

Steep, avalanche-prone and with an unpredictable snowpack, Taos is a skier’s ski area: The terrain makes steeps-lovers giddy and also has unique challenges, especially when it comes to running avalanche control routes and opening the mountain after a major storm cycle. It’s a high-risk high reward environment for patrollers who seek to do more than help beginners off the hill when they’ve tweaked their knees.

Being a ski patroller is not an easy job. Early mornings working before sunrise in bitter cold conditions with limited visibility and the very real danger of dying in an avalanche should something go horribly wrong are part and parcel of running avalanche control routes at a place like Taos (similar mountains include Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin, Utah resorts Alta, Snowbird and Solitude, and Wyoming’s Jackson Hole). Along

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WATCHFUL EYE: TAOS PATROLLERS MONITOR THE ANNUAL TAOS FREERIDE EVENT.

with the physical challenges come other issues: Ski equipment gets shredded on rocks, limited manpower with the skills and certifications to use explosives means that the control burden can fall heavily on a few individuals, and the early mornings can be punishing, especially during extended storm cycles when sleeping past 5 a.m. becomes a far-off summertime fantasy.

“You can die doing this job. It’s not like working in the cafeteria.”

There’s also the challenge of raising a family or putting down roots in a ski town, working on the average ski patroller’s pay rate. It’s no secret that North American ski communities are some of the most expensive places to live on the planet. According to December 2015 figures from Coldwell Banker, the average listing price of a single family home in Park City, Utah is $2.9 million, with condos and townhomes averaging $1.5 million. Other ski towns are

similarly costly, with the average listing price of homes for sale in Breckenridge, Colorado for the week ending November 25, 2015 (according to real estate site Trulia) clocking in at just over $900,000.

The cost of living in Park City and the surrounding vicinity is one reason why patrollers at The Canyons voted to unionize in 1999.

Speaking to the Park City Record, Canyons’ ski patroller Pete Earl, a former president of The Canyons Professional Ski Patrol Association said, “I moved here 11 years ago, and one of the reasons I chose Park City is it was one of the few ski towns in the west where I could afford to live and work in the same town. But a big fear is that dream is ending because a lot of people are getting priced out. We have more and more people moving every year to Salt Lake or to Heber. We want to be a part of the community. That's a big thing for us."

There’s no doubt that the cost of living in Taos is becoming a concern for locals. The resort remained relatively low-key and undeveloped under the ownership of the Blake family, whose patriarch,

SURRENDER TO BEAUTY.

NOT TO COLD.

WORKING WHILE YOU PLAY: HIKING SAFETY EQUIPMENT TO REMOTE PARTS OF THE MOUNTAIN IS JUST ANOTHER DAILY CHORE FOR THE PATROL AT TAOS. photo by TOM WINTER

Ernie, founded the ski area in 1954. However, the sale of Taos Ski Valley to billionaire investor Louis Bacon in 2013 changed things. The place is seeing a rapid increase in capital improvements including a lift to the top of the formerly hike-to-only terrain of Kachina Peak and a complete makeover of the base area, which is expected to be finished in the summer of 2016. There’s also been a rapid increase in property prices in the area surrounding the base of the ski hill, although listings remain well below those found in towns like Park City or Aspen. With these changes come both concerns and expectations.

“Everyone thought that as soon as this rich guy came in here and bought the ski area, that they’d get an instant $5 an hour raise,” says one Taos employee who asked to remain anonymous. “But it doesn’t work like that. You have to earn it. And quite frankly there are a lot of people who were coasting here for years under the Blakes.”

W W W.C O L D P RU F.C O M

STABILITY BEYOND THE SNOWPACK

Patrollers at Taos as well as similar mountains such as Telluride (which saw a successful effort by their patrol to unionize in March 2015) face unique challenges in the workplace. Both areas are extremely avalanche prone, and have an abundance of difficult to access hike-to terrain. Their locations—in the high mountains of the southwest—also makes for a fragile snowpack.

In their unionization effort, patrollers at Telluride Ski Resort cited the need to have stability and continuity within the patrol, continuity which allows patrollers to gain the kind of snow-safety and avalanche control knowledge that only comes from multiple years running control routes and watching the snow up-close-and-personal.

Taos patroller Rey Deveaux also cites the need for patrol workforce stability as well as other issues unique to patrolling as factors behind the move for the New Mexico resort’s patrollers to unionize. Concerns range from equipment allowances (patrollers shred skis during the rocky early season conditions at Taos as they work to open terrain and run control routes) to standards for promotions and pay raises. “We want things to be organized and transparent, and we want the work that we do to be recognized for what it is,” said Deveaux in a conversation with Elevation Outdoors prior to the vote to unionize.

“Our work is dangerous and involves a lot of specialized skills. We’re not like a lot of the other employees here at Taos,” added Deveaux. “You can die doing this job. It’s not like working in the cafeteria.”

With the split vote, the move to unionize in Taos is now on hold. According to National Labor Relations Board rules, another vote to unionize can’t be held for one year. Meanwhile, Mother Nature isn’t waiting, and the work to secure Taos’ steep, avalanche prone terrain and to rescue injured skiers goes on as the snow continues to fall across New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

—Veteran ski journalist Tom Winter spent his high school years working as a ski patroller for Lake Eldora Ski Area in Colorado. He’s still hoping for an “equipment” allowance.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

REAL KEEPING IT

WANT A TASTE OF DEEP, DOWN COLORADO? IT'S TIME TO EMBRACE THE VIBE OF MONARCH MOUNTAIN AND CHAFFEE COUNTY.

by CHRIS KASSAR

T

his is how it happens: I rise from bed in a haze. My feet hit the frigid floor. I race to the window and look west from my home in Salida toward Monarch Pass. I know it’s there, but, as is often the case in winter, I see only a shroud of dark clouds dropping billowy powder. Yes! Just to be sure, I slip into my shoes and run outside.

That flashing blue light atop Salida’s Tenderfoot Mountain heralds the arrival of at least inches up high.

Time to go.

I dress, grab a coffee at Sacred Ground and hop in the car for a stunning, albeit snowy, 25-minute stress-free ride. The crew in the parking lot guides me to a spot— and, as I am getting my gear together, they run over and give me

16

exuberant high-fives before they return to help the next stoked skier who pulled in behind me. This is what a tribe feels like, I think.

I toss my skis over my shoulder and walk less than 60 seconds to reach the base. Jeff, the lifty I see every time I am up here, greets me with icicles dangling from his beard.

“Enjoy the Pow!” he hollers. I crack a self-satisfied smile: It’s a powder day and I’ve missed first chair by an hour, but there’s no drama, no lines, no attitude and plenty of snow still out there. It's a far cry from the battle of traffic, parking structures and bad attitudes I faced when I lived on the Front Range and tried to go skiing.

This is why I love Monarch. This is why it's my hometown mountain.

I’m not alone in my gratitude for

ELEVATION O U T D O O R S / J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6

this exceptional 800-acre resort which towers 11,952 feet above sea level at its summit. Take Ryan Kempfer, the Base Area Services Manager, for instance. In his sixth year as part of the Monarch family, he’s one of the crew heading up the informal “high-fives for everyone” movement. “I greet everyone with a smile and a high-five because I’m excited to be here,” he says.

“I couldn’t ask for a better place to work than up here taking in views from the Continental Divide, enjoying amazing 100-percent allnatural snow with stoked guests and working with people I consider family. It’s exciting, and I want to share that by making as many people smile as I can.”

This attitude and the way it

photo SCOTT PETERSON

ripples through each employee to each guest sets Monarch apart. How can you not have an incredible day when you’re surrounded by this type of welcome-to-our-playground vibe?

“There isn’t one person who isn’t excited to be here and that attitude just naturally gets passed on to guests,” says Kemper.

S

o how do Monarch, Salida and the rest of Chaffee county keep it so real? The mindset emanates from the people running the show. Sure, the lift operators, servers, groomers, patrollers and ticket salespeople treat you as if they’ve known you for years, but that good cheer resonates from a conscious commitment made by Monarch’s owners to deliberately

Buena Vista CORE OF THE ROCKIES

THE MONARCH STOKE: PULL INTO THE PARKING LOT HERE AND YOU WILL BE GREETED WITH A BIG, FAT, GET-PSYCHED HIGH FIVE FROM THE STAFF WHO ARE JUST AS HAPPY TO BE HERE AS YOU ARE. photo NATHAN BILOW

preserve the ski experience here.

When you pull up, you notice something, or the lack of something: there's no base area development, no condos, no faux-Bavarian shopping area. Then up on the mountain, you notice there’s no snow making equipment scattered across the hillside, no expensive mountain-top restaurants. While that may make the condo-buying cognoscenti scratch their heads, it makes the rest of us sigh a big breath of relief. Monarch has chosen to forego all that hoopla in favor of focusing on what really matters: people who simply want to ski and ride. And it’s working.

Then there's the location itself.

The first thing you need to know about Monarch is that the mountain relies on its all-natural snow. And you can feel that difference when you put an edge into the real deal. Credit the “Monarch Effect” (remember that cloud over the peaks I could see from my house) for the mountain's ability to rely soley on Mother Nature for the goods. Since Monarch is perched on the Continental Divide, clouds sit here, storms lock in ... and they dump. “We are making a deliberate decision not to make snow because of the chemicals, the electricity, the cost, but the truth is we don’t need to make snow because the natural stuff is so so great,” says ski patrol director Zach Moore, who is here for his seventh season. “Sure, we risk a few years when we open in

December, but we would rather focus on the experience, on guest services, and deliberately build this unique culture.”

And what's good snow without the right terrain ... for everyone.

“Monarch is all about variety. The mountain offers skiing for everyone,” Moore says. “There's good beginner terrain where I can bring my two-year old son. But we also have longer bigger runs, and outstanding steep stuff. We do a nice job grooming and then there's the bumps and hike-to terrain. And we have one of the best cat skiing operations in the country. But one of the biggest reasons for that is that it just feels like family here.”

we are next to the river and the mountains," says Shawn Gillis owner of Absolute Bikes “That puts a long day into a different perspective.”

Maybe that reality is what drives the stoke here. “We are proud of working at such an authentic mountain. That pride shines through,” says Kempfer. “This is what visiting a ski resort should be like. I’m so proud we’re one of the few left providing a unique and real Colorado experience.”

So why would I want to ski anywhere else? Why would I want to live anywhere else? All I ask is one thing: If that blue light is flashing and I see you up here, you had better give me a high five. •

E

xtended family, make that.

You can feel Monarch's highfive vibe down in Salida and the rest of the Chaffee County, too.

People are serious about fun here, but not in a way that ever feels too aggressive. Stop in Absolute Bikes in downtown Salida and you won't encounter a back room of shop techs sneering at you—indeed the former mayor of Salida may come up to you and point you to single track you can ride right out of town, even in the winter. The bartenders here are as interested in what you skied up on the mountain as they are in mixing you the perfect drink. This is more than an adventure destination—it's a home town.

“Even after our worst day of work,

There's far more to Chaffee County than Monarch and Salida, of course. Head further up the Arkansas Valley and you step even deeper into authentic adventure. The core town of Buena Vista represents everything that's still real about Colorado.

Here's how to best enjoy it:

> Trails, Trails, Trails The area around Buena Vista boasts over 400 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.

Add to that backcountry ski touring and snowshoeing (and the opportunity to bike down in town on warm winter days) and you can find your own adventure here. > Craft Culture Buena Vista is in the middle of a bustling brewing and spirits scene. Chill out at Eddyline Brewing and Deerhammer Distillery after a big day in the mountains. > Full Immersion And how best to wrap up your mountain-town immersion?

Soak in the healing waters of Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort and Cottonwood Hot Springs.

PARADISE: A SOAK AT COTTONWOOD HOT SPRINGS IN WINTER WILL ALLAY ALL THAT AILS YOU. photo SCOTT PETERSON

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Winter

Solitude

Get outside and experience your solitude! go Downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling in the Snowy Range Mountains!

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call: 1-800-445-5303

POWERED BY

THE TRAIL

01.16

DOWNLOAD APP viewranger.com/gpsadventure

ROUTE CODE: ELEV0044 Scan for this route’s GPS Hike!

WINTER HARVEST: IT'S TOUGH TO GET THE VERY FIRST TRACKS HERE, BUT COME EARLY ON A WEEKDAY AND YOU WILL AT LEAST GET TO FARM SOME POWDER TURNS.

BUTLER GULCH

SEEKING STASHES OF BACKCOUNTRY POWDER? DOWNLOAD THE FREE VIEW RANGER APP AND FOLLOW OUR GPS COORDINATES TO MINE THE BOUNTY OF THIS POPULAR TOURING DESTINATION CLOSE TO THE FRONT RANGE.

by CHRIS KASSAR For a true backcountry experience with sweet lines just an hour from Denver’s 16th Street Mall, head to Butler Gulch, a winter playground that provides a solid workout and powder stashes for those looking to earn their turns. The area’s beauty, accessibility and open bowls make it popular with snowshoers, cross-country skiers and both budding and experienced backcountry shredders.

Butler Gulch sees high visitation and often gets hammered by the wind so hit this spot as early as possible on weekends or after a storm if you hope to score freshies. Carry the right equipment and be smart and educated on avalanche danger if you spend any time in the backcountry, too (for valuable information no matter your level check out EO’s Backcountry 101 primer here j.mp/EO-BC101).

BUTLER GULCH TRAILHEAD

From Denver, drive west on I-70 and take Exit 232 (Winter Park/Route 40). Stay on Route 40 through Empire until you reach the tiny town of Berthoud Falls. Turn left onto the Henderson Mine Road to Jones Pass and follow it for 1.8 miles. Turn onto a small road off to the right and follow it for about 800 feet to the winter trailhead. If this road is snowed in, park in the large lot to the left. The trailhead is on the other side of the parking lot past the Forest Service signs. Follow the trail west. photo by CAMERON MARTINDELL / OFFYONDER.COM

Scan for all of Elevation Outdoors’ published routes!

of avalanche danger in the Central Gully area, including the traverse above the East Chutes.

SHOW SOME SKIN

Stay on the Jones Pass summer road for .25 miles until you reach a sign indicating Butler Gulch to the left. Head left along the oft well-defined skin track that parallels the creek and meanders up the heart of the valley.

No matter which route you choose, a day in Butler Gulch will leave you smiling ear-to-ear. Climb back to the skin track and descend to the car on the trail or, for a few more powder pockets, hit the trees adjacent to the track.

FORK IN THE TRAIL

Approximately 1.45 miles from the car, the skin track splits. Go right to Butler Gulch West or left for Butler Gulch East.

TRAIL GEAR G3 BOUNDARY 100

BUTLER GULCH WEST

Follow an old jeep road right for about .5 miles until you reach treeline where you’ll get a good chance to scope out the lines below. It’s easy to get in a few laps here since most routes end up at the creek and you’ll have to climb back to the skin track anyway. If you’re new to the sport, hit Butler Bowl, a forgiving wide-open basin with tons of possible lines. If you’re feeling adventurous drop into Creek Chute, a narrow low-angle gully with towering rock walls. Try Power Line, a run that begins in an open expanse, but quickly travels into tight trees or test your skills on the Point 12,085 Glades run, a challenging bowl-to-glade-totrees route that drops east off Point 12,085. Note: Typically, the skin track ends at 11,600 feet so to access the northern end of Butler Bowl, Power Line, and Point 12,085, you’ll need to traverse the bowl.

BUTLER GULCH EAST

If you opt for this way, continue south at the split in the skin track. Take a lap or two down the Headwall Glades, a short-but-fun cruise through wide-open meadows that flank the skin track.

After that, continue to Central Gully. You’ll reach a second split in the skin track: Head left to hit the steep East Chutes, which provide the longest runs in the area. Travel right to reach the north-facing Central Gully, a slide-prone trench below the saddle between Butler Gulch and Woods Creek. Beware

This ski does it all. With an alpine construction, wood core, freeride rocker and 100 mm underfoot, the Boundary moves effortlessly from resort groomers to deep and steep backcountry powder. G3 also offers a women’s specific Boundary 100 W, engineered with a flex that responds better to lighter riders. $650 (M), $590 (W); genuineguidegear.com G3 TARGA T/9 ASCENT

A new take on G3's time-tested favorite, this touring telemark binding is stable and dependable. The T/9 Ascent comes with interchangeable pre-compressed spring cartridges, adjustable cables to fit your boots snugly and is extremely easy to repair in the field. But, it’s the easy abilty to switch between tour and ski mode that we appreciated most at Butler Gulch. $300.

—C.K.

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HOT SPOT

01. 16

THE DESERT ESCAPE NEED A LITTLE SHOT OF THE SUN THIS WINTER (OR SPRING)? HEAD TO SEDONA: ARIZONA’S MYSTICAL RED ROCK PLAYGROUND DELIVERS HARDCORE FUN, AND A FEW SURPRISES.

by CHRIS KASSAR

E

scape the winter blues with a jaunt to Sedona, Arizona. This four-season, red rock playground is famed for its out-of-this-world rock formations, spiritual vortices and trails that wind through it all. No matter your age, interests, speed or sport forget the cold, avoid the crowds and soak up the sun while enjoying some of the best climbing, hiking and mountain biking in the Southwest.

BIKE Surrounded by fun, flowy trails and slickrock on all sides, Sedona draws mountain bikers of all stripes.

Beginners and families can enjoy a cruise through the red rocks on the Bell Rock Pathway while intermediates will enjoy the Soldiers Wash Trails, a system of stunning singletrack in West Sedona. These trails include Adobe Jack, which delivers a giant sinkhole at the top, Coyote, Javelina, Jordan, Powerline Plunge and Grand Central, a trail that rewards riders with breathtaking 360-degree views. Every rider will want to hit Slim Shady, which travels through a wash complete with rolling berms, slickrock and a fast flowing descent. For an even more extreme mountain bike adventure, check out Hangover, a steep, techy ride with scary exposure, tough rocky climbs, high-speed descents through tight trees and unmatched views.

Knowledgeable staff at Sedona Bike & Bean (bike-bean.com) can provide rentals and information about trails.

HIKE There’s no shortage of hiking options in the area so lace up your boots and take to the trails. One of our favorites is the short and direct climb to the saddle of Cathedral Rock. Though only 1.7 miles round trip, this climb is steep and largely on rock so you’ll use hands and feet in some spots and will have to wiggle your way photo by DEVON BALET

20

though some cracks to reach the top.

It’s worth the effort, since you’re rewarded with peace, quiet and sweeping views. For a longer jaunt, try the 4.2 mile round-trip Devil’s Bridge Trail which wanders through the desert to a spectacular bridgeshaped geological formation, or enjoy feeling tiny as you meander along the towering cliff walls that line the 6-8 mile West Fork Trail through Oak Creek Canyon. Of course, no Sedona trip is complete without a visit to a vortex, an energy center that facilitates meditation, healing, prayer and, well, whatever else you want. The beautiful trails that provide access to the four main vortices in the area are definitely worth the time: Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Airport Vortex (find info at lovesedona.com/01.htm) Visit the Hike House (thehikehouse.com), a café and one-stop shop.

CLIMB Many of Sedona's crazy sandstone spires and formations make for some incredible rock climbs. For instance, Courthouse Butte (5.6 or 6 pitches of 5.10c depending on route), Bell Rock (5.8) and Oak Creek Spire (III 5.9) serve up sandstone that should please all ability levels. The rock can be soft and inconsistent, but the weather and scenery make the area a favorite among seasoned climbers. Get all the beta you need in Sedona Rocks! A Climber's Guide by David Bloom and online here: mountainproject.com/v/ sedona-area/105787793.

ELEVATION O U T D O O R S / J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6

HARMONIC CONVERGENCE: BMC TRAIL CREW RIDERS BRICE SHIRBOCK, DEREK BISSETT AND ADAM SNYDER FIND END-OF-DAY ENLIGHTENMENT ON SEDONA'S HIGHLINE TRAIL.

EAT If you eat only one place in Sedona, make it the Mariposa (mariposasedona.com), a Latin inspired grill offering big patio views.

The gazpacho is spicy and delectable.

The quesadillas melt in your mouth and are topped by the best mango salsa and guacamole we’ve ever tried.

And the desserts—we tried the sorbet and the chocolate torte—provide the perfect ending. The Sound Bites Grill (soundbitesgrill.com), a musicthemed restaurant with incredible views of canyon country offers all-natural, fresh food including standards like burgers and steaks, as well as unique concoctions like the fresh mozzarella salad topped with toasted pistachios! Great for lunch, dinner or late night dining and dancing, this spot has Sedona’s best happy hour.

STAY For an upscale experience, L’Auberge de Sedona cannot be outdone. With a variety of luxurious cottages and rooms in varied serene locations, including creekside, hillside, garden and spa settings, staying at L’Auberge may be dangerous since you may never go out and you’ll definitely be reluctant to return home. Indulge in creekside dining at L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek (lauberge. com) and take advantage of onsite yoga classes, massages, facial

treatments and meditation. For a different experience, try Garland’s Oak Creek Lodge (garlandslodge. com), composed of 17 rustic cabins on 10 creekside acres in peaceful Oak Creek Canyon. Wood burning fireplaces, porches overlooking the creek, organic gardens, yoga, massage, tennis and access to hikes make this one of the most wonderful spots to spend your vacation. Enjoy a cooked-to-order breakfast, a cozy afternoon tea and an elegant dinner complete with homemade breads and a different entrée each night.

WHAT'S HAPPENING PLAN YOUR SEDONA TRIP TO COINCIDE WITH THESE EVENTS. eARTflows January 1–30 A month-long celebration of the earth and being thoughtful about our use of resources…one step at a time. visitsedona.com/earthflows Sedona Winter Musicfest January 5–10 Five days of classical chamber musical activities.

Sedona Marathon Event February 6 Features a 5K, 10K, Half, and Full Marathon. sedonamarathon.com Sedona International Film Festival February 20–28 Nine-day celebration of the best independent films from around the world. sedonafilmfestival.org

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Photo credit: Nathan Bilow

NUMEROLOGY

LOVELAND 2 MILES

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34 MINUTES 14 SECONDS 182/202 CALORIES

*MONARCH 1 MILE 17 MINUTES; 6 SECONDS 91/116 CALORIES

POWDERHORN 1.8 MILES 30 MINUTES; 49 SECONDS 164/189 CALORIES

*PURGATORY 1 MILE 17 MINUTES; 6 SECONDS 91/111 CALORIES

SILVERTON 2 MILES LUNGS OF STEEL. VETTA MOUNTAIN GUIDES CO-FOUNDER AND EO CONTRIBUTING EDITOR (SEE PAGE 26), ROB COPPOLILLO LEADS THE UPHILL CHARGE ON ROGERS PASS IN CANADA.

photo ROB COPPOLILLO

34 MINUTES; 14 SECONDS 182/202 CALORIES

SKI COOPER 1.4 MILES 23 MINUTES; 57 SECONDS

THE UPHILL GRIND

WANT TO KNOW THE HARD DATA BEHIND WHAT IT TAKES TO SKIN UP COLORADO’S SKI HILLS? WE BREAK DOWN THE NUMBERS.

by JOSEPH RISI

I

f you were to throw aside the amount of fossil fuels needed needed to power the typical modern chairlift and solely focused on what you, mountain man Bob or lady Jane, would need to burn in calories to get up that piste, do you have any idea what it would take?

Let's do the math.

Ski touring is similar to running in terms of calories burned but you must account for equipment, skis, bindings, and boots. “Add 18 percent to the amount of time and calories burned vs. running”, says Max Taam, Aspen Mountain ski patroller and easily the fastest individual up the same mountain, faster than a guy named Lance. (Look it up!)

Let's take some of Colorado's best known resorts and gauge exactly how much energy Bob, Jane or even Randy from Rochester, New York would need in terms of caloric intake to make it uphill on ski touring equipment at each of these “hills.”

Each ski mountain obviously has a “longest run,” usually a green circle ski trail with a slope gradient of less then 25 percent with names like, Roundabout, Heaven's Highway, 22

Riva Ridge, Long Shot, Four O' Clock and any other name that you can possibly think of where you'll be guaranteed to run into Carl in Carhartts snowplowing down in rearentry boots open jacket flying high on sour diesel krunk blend. Although an uphill route will never follow this trail to a tee as it snakes around a mountain in infinitude. It will go up steep terrain and zig zag slightly, so we can leave this number the same.

Note: the fastest route to the peak is not the steepest, as discussed in a recent University of Colorado study published in The Journal of Applied Physiology, it's a 13 percent slope gradient, and at each angle you can conservatively add 12 seconds to each percent increase. But since we are using man-made ski trails we'll increase the gradient percent to a conservative 30. In review, we'll add 6 minutes to each mile uphill..

The average person runs an eight-minute, 30-second mile on flat ground and at 14 minutes 30 seconds on a 30-percent slope gradient. If you are ski touring (adding 18 percent for equipment), you will cover a mile in approximately 17 minutes 6 seconds at 30 percent slope gradient.

Let's put all that together and see how fast Bob and Jane get their suffer on for the uphill on these mountains.

Assume Bob is 5'10”, 170 pounds (the average U.S. height and weight, plus one inch and minus ten pounds for mountain shape) and 34 years old (the average age in Colorado).

Jane is 5'6” and 151 pounds (same calculation) and also 34 years old:

ELEVATION O U T D O O R S / J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6

THE STATS A-BASIN 1.5 MILES 25 MINUTES; 36 SECONDS

128/153 CALORIES

SNOWMASS 5.3 MILES 90 MINUTES; 43 SECONDS 483/508 CALORIES

137 CALORIES BOB / 157 CALORIES JANE

STEAMBOAT 3 MILES

ASPEN HIGHLANDS 3.5 MILES

51 MINUTES; 21 SECONDS

59 MINUTES; 54 SECONDS

SUNLIGHT 2.5 MILES

319/344 CALORIES

274/299 CALORIES

42 MINUTES; 47 SECONDS

ASPEN MOUNTAIN 3 MILES

228/253 CALORIES

51 MINUTES; 21 SECONDS

*TELLURIDE 4.6 MILES

274/313 CALORIES

78 MINUTES; 44 SECONDS

BEAVER CREEK 2.75 MILES

420 /445 CALORIES

47 MINUTES; 4 SECONDS

VAIL 4 MILES

251/276 CALORIES

68 MINUTES; 27 SECONDS

BRECKENRIDGE 3.5 MILES

365/390 CALORIES

59 MINUTES; 54 SECONDS

WINTER PARK 4 MILES

319/344 CALORIES

68 MINUTES; 27 SECONDS

BUTTERMILK 3 MILES

365/390 CALORIES

51 MINUTES; 21 SECONDS

*WOLF CREEK 2 MILES

274/313 CALORIES

COPPER MOUNTAIN 2.8 MILES 47 MINUTES; 55 SECONDS 255/280 CALORIES

34 MINUTES 14 SECONDS 182/202 CALORIES

Again these figures are purely hypothetical and I don't doubt you may puke trying to stay “average.”

CRESTED BUTTE 2.6 MILES 44 MINUTES; 30 SECONDS 237/262 CALORIES

*ELDORA 3 MILES 51 MINUTES; 21 SECONDS 274/299 CALORIES

* Does not allow uphill skiing.

—Joseph Risi recently became race director for the COSMIC series (Colorado Ski Mountaineering Series) where he can be seen organizing skimo races throughout the west to make skiers suffer uphill and down.

This staff hut trip proved to be a very long “couple a miles” in with this load on our backs. And hips. North Routt, CO Jumping for joy on the summit of Red Lady above Crested Butte, CO – Xavi Fane

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www.silvertoncolorado.com J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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STRAIGHT TALK

RESONANT PRESENCE: THE TWO TIME OLYMPIAN PRACITCES THE MANTRABASED MEDITATION THAT SHE NOW ALSO TEACHES WHILE IN ICELAND LAST MAY.

01.16

GRETCHEN BLEILER

through some of the climate science but is also paired with members of POW’s Riders Alliance, a group of over 70 of the top snow sports athletes from around the world. They share their own first hand experiences with climate change, how they have gotten involved in the solutions, and how students can also take action. We have met with over 50,000 students in the past four years.

STRAIGHT FROM THE COP21 TALKS IN PARIS, THE SNOWBOARDING ROCK STAR TALKS ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

G

retchen Bleiler is the greatest female snowboarder in Colorado history. The winner of a silver medal in the Olympics and four X Games gold medals, she’s been honored with an ESPY Award for best female action sports athlete and been inducted into the Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame and the Action Sports Hall of Fame. She may have retired from competition at the end of the 2014 season, but she has focused her energy into new passions: fighting climate change as a member of Protect Our Winters (protectourwinters.org) and deepening her meditation practice and teaching. She took the time to talk to us while attending the COP21 climate change talks in Paris last month.

WHAT DID YOU EXPERIENCE AT COP21 THAT GAVE YOU HOPE WHEN IT COMES TO CLIMATE CHANGE? There is no silver-bullet solution to limiting our warming to no more than two degrees, but there is a "silver buckshot.” That means we will have to divide the task up among a wide array of existing partial fixes that add up to a whole solution. This is why leadership in every sector, and at every level, is necessary for change.

I was able to see how sports—from the NHL and Formula E to UEFA and The Green Sports Alliance—can, and will, play a huge role in this shift.

All industries are either suppliers or sponsors of sport and it is also sport that transcends our differing political and religious beliefs and creates a harmonizing platform that brings us all together like nothing else.

While in Paris, I also saw a climate simulation called EnROADS. It’s like a video game that puts us in the leadership role in order to develop our own climate deal (basically simulating the agreement our world leaders are working on now at COP21). It was an empowering simulation. All developed and photo by KATE HOLSTEIN

YOU HAVE BEEN GETTING MORE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN MEDIATION. HOW DO YOU PRACTICE AND HOW DOES THIS AFFECT WHAT YOU DO OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN AND IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE? I’ve been practicing a mantra based meditation since 2009. It’s been so instrumental in my competitive career and daily life, so I became a Primordial Sound Chopra Center certified meditation teacher in 2014.

I’ve also now been doing a lot of speaking around the idea of being able to tap into “flow state” when it matters most in everyday life.

Meditation is a really powerful tool that goes along with that concept.

[Learn more about Gretchen’s threepart teaching at GretchenBleiler.com.]

developing countries have zero to 10 years to reach our peak emissions; after that we must decrease our carbon footprint by four percent annually in order to reduce warming to the essential 2 degree Centigrade marker by 2100. We absolutely have the power to do this as a global society. I encourage everyone to play the simulation for themselves (climateinteractive.org/tools/c-learn).

HOW CAN PROTECT OUR WINTERS (POW) MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN SO MUCH OF THE DEBATE SEEMS DEADLOCKED IN PARTISAN POLITICS? Coming together, getting educated and taking action to demand the

reduction of our carbon emissions from the local, to national and global levels is the social movement that has been missing from climate activism.

Protect Our Winters is filling that void by mobilizing the 23 million snowsports enthusiasts in the U.S. that make up a $66 billion dollar winter tourism industry. We are a group of athletes, scientists, small businesses, outdoor brands and resorts with a lot of passion, a lot of influence, and a huge economic impact.

WHAT IS POW DOING TO EDUCATE YOUNGER SNOWBOARDERS AND SKIERS? POW has a program that I helped to moderate called Hot Planet, Cool Athletes. This video takes students

HOW DOES YOUR MEDITATION PRACTICE RESONATE WITH YOUR WORK WITH POW? Meditation helps us connect with what matters most in life. To me that’s living life to the fullest and we just can’t live a healthy and full life if the environment we depend on is compromised by our own behavior.

That’s why working with POW is so important. It’s about shifting our awareness to see that we are interconnected to one another and our earth and therefore must change our behavior to reflect it.

DO YOU STILL FIND TIME TO GET OUT AND ENJOY RIDING? After retiring from competition, I quickly ended up falling in love with my splitboard. Snowboarding has always been a way for me to push past my boundaries and ideas of what’s possible, and adventures in the deep mountains on my splitboard definitely do just that!

J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

25

FITNESS

01. 16

M

ountain guiding provides a wonderful career and it's a ton of fun. Turns out it also addresses some interesting physiological challenges, ones which most EO readers face in their outdoor adventures. We can sum up those challenges in two simple words: fat and sodium.

Stock Up on Good Fat Guiding requires long, steady days.

Not just because our objectives are sometimes multi-pitch classics or long ski tours, but also because our guests enjoy a steady, manageable pace. We try to do as little start-stop, fast-slow as possible and keep things right at that “magic mountain” pace, as one of my mentors used to say. What that means for the training dorks amongst us is a ton of “Zone 2,” that is, an effort that’s about 60 to 70 percent of your max heart-rate, or a conversational pace, one at which you can get out a sentence or two without seeing stars.

Turns out working in Zone 2 for extended periods of time trains the body to mobilize fat as an energy source, sparing glycogen (energy from carbs and sugar) for higherintensity efforts like a crux on a climb or a particularly steep skin track.

“If you get efficient at burning fat,” explains Dirk Friel, co-founder and co-owner of TrainingPeaks. com and an ex-pro road cyclist, “you don’t need to eat as much in the backcountry. It’s a long, sustaining fuel source. If you’re training your body to use sugar and carbs, you might bonk earlier … you might go through all your reserves.”

Our liver stores glycogen, several hours’ worth, max. That’s why we need to constantly supplement its stores with energy drinks, carbs and even gels while exercising. If you can postpone dipping into your glycogen stores, though, then overall you’ll have a much bigger fuel tank for long days. That equals better performance in the hills.

“Think about a Zone 2 effort—it’s a consistent pace, so if you sit in that zone and work your way up, adding time and being disciplined with it … that’s really going to tap into that fat oxidation,” explains Friel. “Start with 45 minutes, work your way up to 90, 26

photo BRETT WILHELM

Mountain WANT TO PUT YOURSELF IN SHAPE TO TICK OFF BIG OBJECTIVES IN THE HIGH PEAKS THIS WINTER (OR EVEN DOWN AT THE GYM)? PAY ATTENTION TO FAT AND HYDRATION, TWO STAPLES OF THE MOUNTAIN GUIDE’S WORKDAY. | by ROB COPPOLILLO then a couple hours.”

Remember, Zone 2 is 60-70 percent of your max, so training with a heart-rate monitor will be helpful. Shop around and check out models for as little as $40, not to mention HRM’s that pair with your smartphone. Read up on determining your zones (check out TrainingPeaks. com for great info!) and get started.

Hydrate Guiding demands carrying a few extra items: chocolate, a med kit, a repair kit, maybe some extra sunglasses, an InReach device, and a camera. The pack fills up and gets heavy quickly, so somewhere in there we usually skimp on stuff.

Water makes an easy victim, as it’s two pounds per quart. Try lugging a few those up the First Flatiron on a hot day! You’re probably the same as me, looking for a cheat to save a few pounds on the back. Hyper-hydration is the answer.

“We conclude that pre-exercise hyper-hydration improves endurance

ELEVATION O U T D O O R S / J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6

capacity and peak power output and decreases heart rate and thirst sensation ....”

Those are some smart people writing in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology. Bottom line: topping off the fluid reserves before you head out the door yields immediate, substantial benefits for almost any kind of activity.

So how do we do it?

Drinking water alone doesn’t work. The kidneys can rapidly excrete excess water—we’re talking minutes—so simply chugging a liter of water won’t do much for you. Sodium is key, because it’s the sodium concentration in your bloodstream that your body responds to in regulating its thirst and maintaining hydration levels.

Think Beyond Water Dr. Allen Lim earned his PhD in exercise physiology at CU-Boulder and has since built a career that’s done everything from train riders at the Tour de France to develop one of

the most successful energy drinks on the market, Skratch Labs.

“If you’re thirsty, drink something; if you’re not, you’re probably going to be fine,” he says.

It’s the kind of simple, commonsensical advice he often gives: simple.

For long days ice- and rock-climbing or ski touring in the hills, though, it’s nearly impossible to carry enough energy drink. A quality hydration drink balances sodium citrate (easier on the stomach than sodium chloride), cane sugar, and real fruit.

Sip on this throughout a “regular” day, but chances are it won’t fulfill your hydration needs on a big one. In fact, physiologists tell us if you lose two to three percent of your body weight in fluids during an event, your performance is going to suffer. I’ve weighed myself after monster days and I easily lose that much weight, if not more.

Enter Skratch’s “Hyper Hydration” product. It’s salty—so salty, as a matter of fact, that it’s about the same concentration as your bloodstream (3.5g/L), so your kidneys are more likely to pass the fluid into your bloodstream, rather than peeing it out.

And voila, you just hyper-hydrated yourself! Try it the next time you’re on an extended mission; you might be surprised at how good you feel.

Those of you with blood pressure problems or adverse reactions to sodium should chat with your doc before bombing up. I used Skratch’s Hyper Hydration throughout my guides exams and any time I’m headed out for six or more hours. At last year’s Grand Traverse (the 40mile ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen), I slammed a liter 15 minutes before the start and another 16 ounces halfway through. Awesome!

Experiment As with any new technique or product, try out some fat-burning strategies and hyper-hydration before you tackle a big objective. The last thing you want on your “big day” is an upset stomach or heavy legs.

Chances are, though, some dedicated training in Zone 2 and hyperhydration will yield good results if you pair it with a quality training program. Good luck!

Rob Coppolillo is an internationally licensed mountain guide and coowner of Vetta Mountain Guides (vettamountainguides.com).

Elevation Outdoors 2016

RACE & EVENT GUIDE RISE AND SHINE RANDO SERIES JANUARY 5 AND 19, 2016 ARAPAHOE BASIN SKI AREA Join us for a 4-part series of uphill challenges two Tuesday mornings in January. Challenge yourself to all four or pick and choose which morning works the best for you and your workout schedule. Starting in the Base Area at 10,780’ and finishing near the Summit at 12,474’, with twists and turns along the way, the early morning Rise and Shine Rando Races are a fun and challenging way to start your day!

JANUARY 16, 2016 | LITTLETON, CO Part of the Winter Distance Series benefitting the Fetal Health Foundation coloradorunnerevents.com/frosty

DEVIL’S THUMB STAGECOACH CLASSIC

JANUARY 23RD, 2016 | TABERNASH, CO Whether you are a serious nordic skier and racer, an old-school tourist, or anywhere in between, the Stagecoach Classic is a unique chance to experience a trek from Devil’s Thumb Ranch, through the old Idlewild Ski Area, to Hideaway Park in Winter Park.

arapahoebasin.com

POLE MOUNTAIN SHUFFLE CROSS COUNTRY SKIING medicinebownordic.org/racing-information

3RD ANNUAL FAT CYCLE CHALLENGE™

JANUARY 16, 2016 | ASPEN, CO Part of Aspen’s Wintersköl™ events, the Fat Cycle Challenge is a fat bike race offering participants a chance to compete, cruise demos around the course, and check out the hottest fat bike trends!

JANUARY 24TH, 2016 | LAKEWOOD, CO This 5k/10k run is brought to you by Racing Underground. Conveniently located on the scenic west side of metro Denver, Bear Creek Lake Park is known for it’s diverse bird and waterfowl population as well as stunning views of the foothills. yetichase.com

FAT BIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Odell Brewing Co. is going to be a legendary first year fat bike event. Featuring epic Fat Bike venues, a Regional Summit, Vendor Showcase, Demos, discounted ski lift tickets, FREE beer, branded burgers, tons of swag, prizes and giveaways! cbchamber.com/events/fat-bike

ABOMINABLE WINTER ADVENTURE RUN

JANUARY 30TH, 2016 | COMO, CO The Abominable adventure run is not for the timid. On January 30th get “yeti” for a winter obstacle course at 10,000 feet. Grab your friends, hop in the car, and crank up the heat because it’s gonna be cold, wild one out there! abominablerun.com

YETI CHASE

JANUARY 9, 2016 TIE CITY TRAILHEAD, LARAMIE, WY

ALLEY LOOP

FEBRUARY 6TH, 2016 CRESTED BUTTE, CO Everyone who loves to Nordic ski needs to partake in the annual madness that is the Alley Loop. With a course that winds through downtown Crested Butte and surrounding area, it is both challenging and damn fun.

Choose from 1.5k to 42k and pick out your favorite costume. cbnordic.org

JAN 27 – 31, 2016 GUNNISON AND CRESTED BUTTE, CO Borealis Fat Bike World Championships by

aspenchamber.org/fatcycle

D E V I L’ S

FROSTY’S FROZEN FIVE AND TEN MILES

T H U M B

R A N C H

TO

W I N T E R

PA R K

STAGECOACH CLASSIC

MOOSE CHASE NORDIC MARATHON

FEBRUARY 20TH | JACKSON HOLE, WY The Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club is proud to present the 24th Annual Moose Chase Nordic ski race at the Trail Creek Nordic Center. This premier Nordic race includes a 30k (that skis like a 50k), a 15k, 5k, 3k and a free 1/2k. Athletes can skate or classic ski the course. jhskiclub.org/moosechase

VAIL WINTER UPHILL

FEBRUARY 22ND, 2016 | VAIL, CO This challenging 2.5-mile race begins in Lionshead Village at 8,120 feet and finishes at Eagle’s Nest at 10,346 feet. The best part is you get to choose your mode of transportation - ski, snowshoe, yak-trak, or crawl.

MOAB SPRING TRAIL RUN MARCH 5, 2016 | MOAB, UT 8k and ½ Marathon trainingrx.com

MOAB THAW MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL MARCH 11-13, 2016 | MOAB, UT Rides, Demos, Games, Food & Fun moabthaw.com

XC Ski Race & Tour Devil’s Thumb Ranch to Winter Park January 23rd, 2016 Whether you’re a serious Nordic skier, an old-school tourist or a weekend snowshoe enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this unique chance to trek from Devil’s Thumb Ranch to downtown Winter Park through the original Idlewild Ski Area.

Choose a 15k or 30k race or 15k trek on groomed trails through private and Forest Service lands, then celebrate with live music, BBQ and a beer tent at the after-party.

A portion of the race proceeds will go to Trout Unlimited’s efforts to protect and preserve the Fraser River.

Register online at www.stagecoachclassic.com

oint to

oint

CROSS COUNTRY SKI RACE & TOUR JANUARY 23, 2016

This winter, there’s no reason to hurry home.

When you stay two nights with us, your third is free.*

TA B E R NA S H, CO LO R AD O 970.726.5632 *

devilsthumbranch.com

Limited quantities available. Other restrictions may apply. Blackout dates may apply. Not valid for previously booked reservations or groups. Taxes not included.

Based on availability. This offer may not be combined with any other promotion or package. Room nights must be consecutive.

ALPENGLOW ASCENTS RANDO SERIES

MARCH 12, 2016 & APRIL 9, 2016 ARAPAHOE BASIN SKI AREA This 3rd annual spring-time event will start and finish in the Base Area while summiting near 12,472’! This event is much like the Rise n Shine series, except it’s in the afternoon.

Perfect for the serious rando racers that are training for The Traverse or the Power of Four, or people who just want to get a solid skin in at the end of the day. arapahoebasin.com

TOWN DOWNHILL AKA “MINI HAHNENKAMM”

MARCH 19-20, 2016 | JACKSON HOLE, WY The Jackson Town Downhill features the heart-throbbing Mini-Hahnenkamm course on Snow King with divisions for Pro, Recreation, Telemark, Junior, Fat and Baggy and Snowboard. The event is the Club’s way of recognizing that skiing - and ski racing - is truly a lifetime sport.

ADVENTURE XSTREAM ADVENTURE RACE

APRIL 10, 2016 | LITTLETON, CO

APRIL 29-MAY 1, 2016 PRESCOTT, AZ With nearly a dozen years of runway behind us and a sole focus in developing the ultimate mountain bike event weekend while priming the bar taps on Whiskey Row, Epic Rides, the City of Prescott and the Prescott National Forest cooperatively host an annual three-day celebration during the final weekend of April.

Whether you’re riding for the custom finisher’s pint glass, podium finisher’s flask or the $30,000 cash purse (a rare equal payout to pro male/female categories), Epic Rides cordially invites all interested parties to Prescott.

platteriverhalf.com

epicrides.com

CRESTED BUTTE POLE PEDAL PADDLE

LA SPORTIVA VAIL MOUNTAIN TRAIL RUNNING RACE SERIES BONEYARD BOOGIE 10K

APRIL 9TH | MOAB, UT The 16th Annual Adventure Xstream Series returns on April 9th. Solo’s or Teams will Mountain Bike, Kayak, Trek, Rappel, and Navigate across 25 or 50 mile courses. We like to think of the AXS Series as Off Road Adventure Triathlons.

AXSracing.com

PLATTE RIVER HALF MARATHON AND RELAY

APRIL 24, 2016 | CRESTED BUTTE, CO The CB3P is a multi-sport, endurance race that spans the length of the Gunnison Valley, starting in Mt. Crested Butte, CO and finishing in Gunnison, CO. With an uphill/downhill ski leg, bike leg, and kayak leg the CB3P takes participants and spectators on an exciting tour that follows the valley’s spring runoff path.

jhskiclub.org/towndownhill

EQUINOX HALF MARATHON AND 5 MILE

MARCH 20, 2016 | FORT COLLINS, CO equinoxhalfmarathon.com

epicrides.com

BOLDER BOULDER

MAY 30, 2016 | BOULDER, CO A Memorial Day tradition with 10K route through the heart of downtown Boulder. bolderboulder.com

EAGLE OUTSIDE FESTIVAL & FIREBIRD 40

JUNE 3-5, 2016 | EAGLE, CO Bike & Outdoor Expo & Demos, MTB Race, Music, Beer eagleoutsidefestival.com

THELMA AND LOUISE HALF MARATHON

JUNE 4, 2016 | MOAB, UT The 5th annual Thelma & Louise Women’s Half Marathon will inspire, challenge...and give back. Proceeds go to two organizations that support women and girls: Girls on the Run and Seekhaven Family Crisis Center.

vailrec.com

moabhalfmarathon.com/tlhm/index.cfm

VAIL TOWN MTB SERIES SHORT TRACK MTB

COLFAX MARATHON

GRAND TETON HALF MARATHON

MARCH 26TH | JACKSON HOLE, WY The Pole Pedal Paddle is a tradition in Jackson Hole, held this year on the 2nd to last Saturday of skiing at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The four-event race, where contestants compete either individually or in teams, consists of an alpine ski leg, a cross-country ski leg, a bicycle leg, and a boating leg. jhskiclub.org/polepedalpaddle

vailrec.com

C h a l l e n g e

MAY 14, 2016 | VAIL, CO The La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Race Series has become an iconic event, taking runners up trails and over mountain roads, through fields and forests and over streams in and around Vail for the past 19 years. Series runs from May–September.

be immersed in the mountain bike industry’s laid back vibe.

crestedbutte3p.com

APRIL 27 | VAIL, CO The 2016 Vail Beaver Creek Mountain Bike Race Series returns for its 33rd year to offer fun and exciting racing to mountain bikers of all ages and experience levels. This summer over 1,750 riders of all ages and ability levels will compete for $5,200 in cash and $30,000 in prizes. Whether competing in an individual race or signing up for the entire series, racers have the chance to win prizes, free beer and personal glory. Events run April–September.

KAREN OATEY POLE PEDAL PADDLE

WHISKEY OFF-ROAD

y o u r s e l f

i n

JHSC'S TRIPLE CROWN

MAY 14-15, 2016 | DENVER, CO runcolfax.org

GRAND JUNCTION OFF-ROAD

MAY 20-22, 2016 | GRAND JUNCTION, CO Featuring trails in the world class Lunch Loops trail system, Butterknife trail and more; the Grand’s 15, 30 & 40 mile courses start and finish on Main St. in downtown Grand Junction. With 3-days of festival, a massive industry expo and live music, this Epic Rides Off-Road Series event offers riders an authentic cross country mountain bike experience punctuated by the opportunity to

JUNE 4, 2016 | JACKSON HOLE, WY grandtetonhalfmarathon.com

SUBARU ELEPHANT ROCK RIDE

JUNE 4TH-5TH, 2016 | CASTLE ROCK, CO The Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival is the unofficial start to the Colorado cycling season. You won’t want to miss the excitement and camaraderie of the 29th annual pilgrimage to Castle Rock, the Rocky Mountain region’s premier cycling festival. elephantrockride.com

#EAGLEEVERYWEEKEND

Jackson Hole's premiere multi-sport race series

MOOSE CHASE n o r d i c m a r a t h o n .5k, 3k, 5k, 15k and 30k races

FEBRUARY 20TH MARCH

19TH 20TH Karen

With dozens of events on the calendar – from mushrooms to mountain biking, motocross to music festivals - Eagle, CO is the place to be in 2016.

PICK A WEEKEND, ANY WEEKEND, AND YOU’LL FIND SOMETHING COOL GOING ON.

Oatey

pole.pedal.paddle.

MARCH 26

OV E R $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 I N C A S H P R I Z E S !

REGISTRATION AND DETAILS

JHSKICLUB.ORG OR 307.733.6433

IMAGE COURTESY DEVON BALET

10,291,

106westtr i .com

RIDE THE ROCKIES

JUNE 11TH-18TH, 2016 GRAND JUNCTION TO WESTCLIFFE, CO 464 miles of riding with over 30,000 feet of elevation gain over seven days. Need we say more? ridetherockies.com

the easy parts, throw in technical descents, burning lungs and wild animals and you’ll have a good understanding of what you’re about to get into. leadvilleraceseries.com/mtb/silverrush50mtb/

SILVER RUSH 50 RUN

JUNE 17-19, 2016 | SHERIDAN, WY The courses are designed to maximize the exposure of the participants, their families, and race volunteers to an extremely scenic, wild, and primitive area of our geologically unique Bighorn Mountains.

JULY 10, 2016 | LEADVILLE, CO Take on 50 miles of extreme territory that starts at 10,200 feet and reaches 12,000 feet at the Blueprint for Athletes Silver Rush 50 Run. It will leave your lungs burning, heart pounding and eyes completely amazed — while also preparing you for the pinnacle Blueprint for Athletes Leadville Trail 100 Run presented by New Balance.

bighorntrailrun.com

leadvilleraceseries.com/run/silverrush50run/

BIGHORN MOUNTAIN WILD AND SCENIC TRAIL RUN

LEADVILLE TRAIL MARATHON AND HEAVY HALF

BRECKENRIDGE 100 MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE JULY 16, 2016 | BRECKENRIDGE, CO

JUNE 18, 2016 | LEADVILLE, CO The Leadville Race Series is a season of Legendary Adventures in the highest incorporated city in the U.S.A. Test your strength this June at the Leadville Trail Marathon or Heavy Half, which reaches 13,182 feet atop Mosquito Pass.leadvilleraceseries.

warriorscycling.com/races/breckenridge-100

com.

runningseries.com

ANGEL FIRE ADVENTURE MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 5K

COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR

JULY 3, 2015 | ANGEL FIRE, NM

geminivirgoproductions.com/events/angel-fireadventure-marathon

SILVER RUSH 50 MOUNTAIN BIKE

JULY 9, 2016 | LEADVILLE, CO Need a nice challenge? Then forget this one.

It’s nasty. Cut the Blueprint for Athletes Leadville Trail 100 MTB in half, remove all

SSRS SPRING CREEK MEMORIAL JULY 23, 2016 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO This is one of the SSRS’s favorite and most popular races and the sole fund raiser for the non profit SSRS, an amazing loop!

JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2016 This tour hits eight high-mountain passes, including the highest continuous road in America as well as the highest paved road. crmbt.com

LARAMIE ENDURO

AUGUST 6, 2016 Wyoming’s premier mountain bike race

COPPER TRIANGLE

AUGUST 6, 2016 After a 78-mile scenic ride, participants will be greeted by the “Alpine Celebration”. The post-ride party, with music, a first – class lunch, prize drawings and cycling expo will continue throughout the afternoon.

shiningstarsfoundation.org/winter-park-halfmarathon

coppertriangle.com

ADVENTURE XSTREAM ADVENTURE RACE

RAGNAR RELAY SERIES COPPER MOUNTAIN TO ASPEN/ SNOWMASS

AXSracing.com

AUGUST 12-13, 2016 COPPER AND ASPEN, CO

ragnarrelay.com/race/colorado

BRECK EPIC

AUGUST 14-19, 2016 The oldest MTB stage race in the US takes riders on 6 days of Colorado’s best singletrack. breckepic.com

CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL RUN

AUGUST 20TH, 2016 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO One of the best races in the series, this 15.5M trail run will be sure to test and runners ability with a rugged and steep climb to start up to the top of famous Fish Creek Falls. The trail tops out on the gorgeous Mountain View trail at 10,000 feet and then drops down to the top of the gondola once at the ski area. runningseries. com

106º WEST TRIATHLON

SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 | LAKE DILLON, CO The World’s Highest Triathlon will set new standards in Fall 2016.

106westtri.com

WINTER PARK HALF MARATHON

laramieenduro.org

This beautiful dirt trail run with Half Marathon and 5K options benefits the Shining Stars Foundation.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 | FRISCO, CO We like to think of the AXS Series as Off Road Adventure Triathlons.

MOAB EPIC MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURE RACE

OCT 15, 2016 | MOAB, UT Moab Epic MTB - The 2nd Annual Moab Epic MTB returns October 15th on Moab best single track! This is an MTB Adventure Race.

Mountain Bike across a 20 or 50 mile course.

You choose the route!

MoabEpic.com

TOUR OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS

OCTOBER 3, 2016 | PINETOP-LAKESIDE, AZ The 20th Annual Tour of the White Mountains presented by Blackburn Design showcases some of Arizona’s best single track located in and around the Northeastern Arizona communities of Pinetop-Lakeside. epicrides.com

COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL CYCLING LEAGUE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

OCTOBER 22-23, 2016 | EAGLE, CO Support 700+ high school mountain bike racers as they vie for state champion on the Haymaker Course eagleoutside.com

SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 | WINTER PARK, CO

IN LEADVILLE, THE ALTITUDE STEALS A THIRD OF THE OXYGEN.

MAY 7th, Saturday HAYDEN COG RUN 8M & 5K

AUGUST 14th, Sunday STEAMBOAT STINGER FULL & HALF TRAIL MARATHON

MAY 21st , Saturday SPIRIT CHALLENGE 10K & 5K

AUGUST 20th , Saturday CONTINENTAL DIVIDE 15M & 50K

JUNE 5th, Sunday STEAMBOAT MARATHON FULL, HALF & 10K

SEPTEMBER 4th, Sunday 10K AT 10,000 FEET 10K & 5K TRAIL

JUNE 18th , Saturday HOWELSEN 8 MILER 8M & 4M TRAIL

SEPTEMBER 16/17th RUN RABBIT RUN 100 & 50 M TRAIL ULTRA

JULY 2 nd, Saturday MOUNTAIN MADNESS 13.1M & 10K

SEPTEMBER 24th, Saturday EMERALD MOUNTAIN RUN 12K TRAIL

JULY 23rd, Saturday SPRING CREEK MEMORIAL 9M & 5K TRAIL INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

2016

RUNNING

THE VIEWS TAKE AWAY THE REST.

SERIES

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

13,185 FEET

WWW.RUNNINGSERIES.COM

SSRS is an equal opportunity service provider and SSRS is an authorized permittee of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests.

YOUR LEGEND STARTS HERE. LEADVILLERACESERIES.COM

BAD TO THE BONE

01.16

2016

RESIDENT BADASS YOU NEVER WANT TO SAY YOU ARE GOOD AT ANYTHING IN THIS STATE … BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE BETTER. EXCEPT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS LIST. MEET COLORADO’S ALPHA DOGS.

TOMMY CALDWELL

by Doug Schnitzspahn

W

e have put up top athlete polls before, but this fall we queried our readers to find out who is the baddest of the bad when it comes to outdoor sports in Colorado. EO readers nominated local heroes in nine different categories and then we had a good, old-fashioned Internet voting showdown to determine who among them deserved the title of Resident Badass (oh, and we feel that there’s no reason why women and men can’t compete against each other rather than in separate categories).

There were some surprises and some impassioned voting, but, in the end, we came up with an impressive list of Colorado's most inspiring outdoor people. So step up and meet your Resident Badasses, and maybe some day you will hang with them out on the crags, trails, peaks and slopes.

ROCK

TOMMY CALDWELL

Really, it’s no surprise that Tommy Caldwell topped our list, not just as the winner of the rock category, but as the state's Resident-Badass-inChief. We don't have to say much more about his successful free ascent of El Capitan's Dawn Wall last year with Kevin Jorgeson. That climb became more than a personal dragon that Caldwell had to slay— it shifted something in the way climbing, and all outdoor sports, are percieved in the mainsteam American consciousness. In the midst of ISIS, gun debates and partisan politics gone amuck, it proved that there is still something basic and good in dreaming in the American wilds, something inside us all, even if we can't compete on Tommy's level. Best

of all, when he finished, Caldwell called for better protection of those wild lands that allow us to dream big.

Runner Up: Lynn Hill ICE

ERIC LARSEN

There is something very bittersweet in what Eric Larsen is accomplishing.

The polar explorer touched both poles and the top of Everest once in the same year and still thinks trying to ride a fat bike to the South Pole is one of the toughest things he has ever attempted. But last year, he filmed “Melting: Last Race to the Pole,” a documentary of his 2014 unaided expediton with Ryan Waters to the North Pole that premiered last month on Animal Planet. The sad lesson here: Because of climate change and melting ice, this is most likely the last

time this type of trip can take place.

As far as being a badass, Larsen says: “I met [runner up] Will Mayo, and I can say with 100-percent certainty that he is way more of a badass than me. If anyone knew how much I cried on my expeditions, they would strip me of the title in a heartbeat.”

Runner Up: Will Mayo SNOW

ZACH TAYLOR

Now, this was a surprise. A snowboarder and nurse from Golden beat out Red Bull athlete and EO favorite Chris Davenport and Olympic medalists Gretchen Bleiler, Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin.

But our readers appreciated Taylor's overall homegrown and humble badassery. He is in the process of climbing and snowboarding down

J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

33

GINA CAPUTO

ALISON POWERS

STEPH SCHWARTZ

ERIC LARSEN

Colorado's Fourteeners as well as other big peaks across North America and he heads up the Colorado 14er First Descents Project. Most of all, he is a Wilderness EMT, and alpine rescuer and instructor on call 24/7 to help those in trouble in the mountains. His most badass work takes place following in his ICUnurse mom's footsteps, however. He works at the life-and-death Neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the University of Colorado Hospital.

Runner Up: Chris Davenport ENDURANCE

SARI ANDERSON

Sari Anderson was able to beat out a host of Colorado's top endurance 34

athletes (the most crowded field in our contest) in this poll even while she was recuperating from injury. That's really no surprise, since Anderson has not just been crushing it racing with Team Nike and winning everything from the ski mountaineering national championships to the U.S. Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships over the past decade, but also inspiring women (and men) by proving it's possible to be a mother to two children and still stand on the podium. “I don't feel worthy compared to athletes like Josiah Middaugh and Dave Mackey,” she says of being named Resident Badass.

“But I’m certainly grateful for the recognition. I hope in some small way, I can be an inspiration to other

ELEVATION O U T D O O R S / J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6

working moms.”

Runner Up: Josiah Middaugh WHEELS

ALISON POWERS

In a state that a glut of big-name competivte cyclists—from that Lance guy to Heather Irminger to Tejay Van Garderen—call home, Alison Powers took this title pretty easily. And she has proven she can do it all, winning national titles in all three disciplines of road race, time trial and criterium in the same year in 2014 (oh, and she was on the U.S. Ski Team before she was a professional cyclist). Now retired, she is imparting her badassery with her all-women business ALP Cycles

Coaching. “It's my full time job, now.

I really enjoy teaching others about cycling, training and racing. I also still very much enjoy riding my bike and skiing.” And you may see her doing just that (and leaving you in the dust) up in Nederland with her new husband Josh Harrod who manages local bike shop Tin Shed Sports.

Runner Up: Dave Wiens WATER

CRUISE QUENELLE

This category saw the most intense voting competion of all in our reader poll. Kayaker Crusie Quenelle came out on top by just a handful of votes to beat out Boulder SUP yogi Lisa Fierer. We were impressed by just

ZACH TAYLOR TIMMY O'NEILL

CRUISE QUENELLE

SARI ANDERSON

how fervent Quenelle's fans, many of them former co-workers and kayaking partners from his days as paddle school director at 4Corners Riversports in Durango. Quenelle is the quietest badass on our list, simply dropping big waterfalls and “cruising” through class V whitewater everywhere from sotuhwest Colorado to the rivers of the Pacific Northwest.

Runner Up: Lisa Fierer

to-rim Grand Canyon run. Then she found yoga, becoming one of the most popular teachers in Boulder, and brought kirtan into her teaching, making music just as important a part of yoga as difficult poses.

Soon, she took that fearlessness into her skydiving practice, developing beautiful mid-air poses. “Everyone is a badass,” she says, a philosophy she imparts to her devoted students.

Runner Up: Ted Davenport

AIR

STEPH SCHWARTZ

Steph Schwartz was a top ultrarunner, nabbing a second-place finish in the Leadville 100, as well as putting EO contributing editor Adam Chase through the wringer on a rim-to-rim-

HUMANITARIAN

TIMMY O’NEILL

Timmy O'Neill is one of the most gifted athletes you will ever meet: a brilliant free soloist, a talented kayaker, a big-wall vet. And though

he has a huge personality, he tends to take second-stage to those he finds inspiring. As the co-founder of Pardox Sports, he has worked to ensure disabled people enjoy the same stoke he gets out of living to the fullest in the outdoors. He has paddled with blind adventurers Erik Weihenmayer in the Grand Canyon and Lonnie Bedwell on the Zambezi.

He has assisted in cataract surgery in the Himalaya. And he taught his parapalegic brother to climb El Capitan. “I love helping people with problem solving and I enjoy providing opportunities to change perspective, which is the genesis of positive transformation. These acknowledgements from peers and fellow joy-merchants put the fuel

in the get-shit-done tank, and these Colorado kudos provide an extra special Rocky Mountain high,” he said of being named a badass.

Runner Up: Shannon Galpin WILD CARD

GINA CAPUTO

The founder of the Colorado School of Yoga earned her Resident Badass cape. She pulled in more votes than anyone except Tommy Caldwell.

That's no shocker since she has developed such a devoted follwing thanks to the joy she transmits teaching yoga, getting outside and loving life. That is just what we were looking for in our Wild Card Badass.

Runner Up: Eric Henderson

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TRAVEL

01. 16

THE POW

ROLLING THE

Powder Highway

by MELISSA MCGIBBON

S

et against a stunning backdrop of the peaks and valleys that form the Kootenay Rockies, the legendary Powder Highway circuit is a 630 mile drive. And, oh what you get along the way: eight alpine ski resorts filled with champagne powder and a cornucopia of terrain diversity with more backcountry helicopter, snowcat, and touring operations than any other region in the world.

Don't be scared of by how big of that trip sounds. Resort ticket prices are far lower here than in the states.

Plus, the exchange rate currently favors the U.S. dollar, so you’ll pay half—yes, half—of what you’ll pay back home for lift tickets.

If you can’t take a month away from work to properly enjoy a few days at each resort, pick three or four (we suggest Fernie Alpine Resort, Panorama Mountain Resort, and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort) and spend a week on part of the loop.

Here's our inside take on each stop.

Fernie Alpine Resort (skifernie. com) offers everything from familyfriendly fun with powder-bowl skiing 36

to come-to-Jesus inspiring chutes like the “Corner Pocket,” which requires a backwards, rope-aided lower to gain entry to its floaty passage. Five vast, glorious alpine bowls spill down from the serrated limestone backbone of the Lizard Range. A 3,550-foot vertical drop complements the 2,500 acres of fresh-snow paradise.

Fernie is the only city in British Columbia that is completely encircled by the Canadian Rockies. It’s an authentic mountain town complete with turn-of-the-century buildings, engaging history, and a captivating setting. Don’t miss a stop at the legendary Griz Bar. The locals may encourage you to partake in the naked slip ‘n’ slide shenanigans atop the bar’s well-varnished extra long table, though, so proceed with caution.

At Panorama Mountain Resort, (panoramaresort.com) you’ll find a powder playground spanning nearly 3,000 acres with a 4,000-foot vertical rise. The expansive terrain may leave you wondering if you have the place to yourself. The longest run, Never Never Land, is three-and-a-half-miles long in the Taynton Bowl, a former heli-skiing-only area that is now an avalanche-controlled in-bounds area

ELEVATION O U T D O O R S / J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6

WAY RES OR

T S: HOT SPR INGS SKI R E SO RT FERNIE A LPINE RE SO RT KICKING H O RS E M OUNTAIN R E SO RT KIMBERL EY ALPIN E R E SO RT PANOR A M A M OU NTAIN RE SO RT R E D M OU NTAIN RE SO RT RE VE L ST O KE M OU NTAIN RE SO RT WHITEWA TE R S K I R ESORT FAIRMON T

CANADA’S ROAD OF FACE SHOTS IS THE ONE SKI/SNOWBOARD TRIP YOU NEED TO DO THIS SEASON.

DER HIGH

photo BRUNO LONG COURTESY OF KOOTENAY ROCKIES TOURISM RIDE THIS BRONCO: KICKING HORSE IN GOLDEN, BRITISH COLUMBIA, DELIVERS ALL THE ACTION AN AMERICAN COWBOY COULD WANT.

popular with expert skiers. Firsttimers and families will appreciate the Discovery Zone area that caters to double-green circle skiers and snowboarders.

High Alpine dining at Panorama’s Elkhorn Cabin includes Swiss raclette and a host of British Columbia craft beers and liqueurs. This summit hut may offer you the best view you’ll ever have with your lunch.

If you’re more of a crack-of-noon skier than a first tracks person, you’re in luck, Panorama also offers night skiing. You can ride the Mile 1 highspeed chairlift to lap the mile-long run after the sun sets.

Warning: Attempting to ski in a “snake” formation with your group after dark (with the aid of a dodgey headlamp) after indulging in a specialty drinks at the Elkhorn Cabin is dangerous. And ridiculously fun.

If the steep-and-deep terrain calls to you, head to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (kickinghorseresort.com) in Golden, British Columbia. Three hours west of Calgary, you’ll find the “Champagne Powder Capital of Canada,” which

has unparalleled access to chutes you won’t believe are in-bounds. You can hire a Big Mountain Guide to show you where the good stuff is and how to get there. At 4,133 feet, Kicking Horse has the fourth-highest vertical drop in North America with 120 runs and 85 marked inbounds chutes.

If you stand up real tall at the Blue Heaven Peak you’ll get a view of six National Parks.

Apres ski, dine at Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, perched at 7,700 feet.

Considered the crown jewel of resort dining in Canada, this is a truly unique experience. Overachievers can rent out the place and stay the night at the two-room suite upstairs.

Take a helicopter to the summit, have the mountain to yourself all night, and enjoy first tracks the next morning. Doesn’t that sound nice?

This opportunity isn’t on the menu, though—you just have to know about it. You’re welcome.

Melissa McGibbon is an editor for Outdoor Sports Guide, a Lolë Women Ambassador, and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.

GEAR

01. 16

BACKCOUNTRY BUDS NEED SOME NEW BEST FRIENDS THE NEXT TIME YOU HEAD OUT TO EARN YOUR TURNS? YOU CAN ALWAYS TRUST IN BRAND NEW GEAR. | by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN Boot: Scarpa Freedom RS 130

Here's the truth of the matter: We ski in this boot every damn day, even if we are pounding hardpack at the resort (the racer-stiff shell, swapable alpine sole and 130 flex instill confidence anywhere). But this hard-charging AT boot with tech fittings is also at home far away from the crowds thanks to a comfy liner and stable mobility in tour mode. $829; scarpa.com

Ski: Dynafit Hokkaido

Dynafit has long been known more for its bindings than its skis (not to say it hasn't made some nice planks), but this ski is changing that perception. At 116 underfoot, it crushes in the fresh stuff, but it's not balky on the skin trail up. $900; dynafit.com

Insulator: Ortovox Piz Palu Nothing is more annoying when you are touring in the backcountry than futzing with layers. The Piz Palu does away with the need to shed. This comfy soft shell puts Swiss wool insulation where you need it: at the front chest and arms, but not on your sweaty back. $349; ortovox.com

AT Binding: Dynafit TLT Radical ST 2.0

Dynafit's skis are not the brand's only touring-minded gear that has entered a new age of backcountry freeride—this reliable tech binding can take some serious abuse.

And the rotating toe piece very well could save your knee. $550; dynafit.com

Skins: G3 Alpinist LT

Canadian ski and binding manufacturer G3 impressed us with its latest skin offering, which features a tail piece that can be adjusted by 16 cm, meaning you don't need a dedicated set of skins for each ski in your quiver. $185; genuineguidegear.com

Air Bag: BCA Float 22

People make a lot of excuses about why they don't wear an air bag in the backcountry. No longer. Too bulky? At 22 liters, you can take BCA's Float 22 on a lift ride. Too expensive?

Isn't a chance at saving your life worth five Benjamins? $500; backcountryaccess.com

Transceiver: Pieps DSP Pro

You never want to use it, always want to be carrying it and must know how to operate it in a hurry. The DSP Pro makes all that easier thanks to a 60-meter circular range, the ability to mark multiple burials and an interface with Pieps electronic, effective iProbe. $420; pieps.com

Tele Binding: Bishop 2.0

Despite what your aging, overweight AT "friends" say, tele is not dead. This new freeheel binding offers the abilty to dial down for precise response on hardpack, but also loosen it up for deep sessions in the untracked. $495; bishopbindings.com J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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IT’S A BIG WORLD OUT THERE. Kick off 2016 with a guide to the best experiential learning opportunities in the region.

Whether you want to learn to tie a fly, jump out of a plane, telemark ski, keep bees or photograph the outdoors, we give you the lowdown.

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terry@activeataltitude.com / 303-304-9159 38

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S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

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Jo i n u s fo r o u r e i g h t h ye a r o f li fe ch a n g i n g c a m p s fo r a d u l t ru n n e r s ! A l l c a m p s a r e b a s e d i n Es t e s Pa r k , C o l o r a d o . C h o o s e f r o m t wo l eve l s o f i n s p i r i n g wo m e n’s ru n n i n g c a m p s , i n Ju n e , Ju l y, a n d Au g u s t , a n d e du c a t i o n a l c o - e d t r a i l ru n n i n g c a m p s i n M ay a n d S e p t e m b e r.

J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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S T N E V E C A LEN DA R

m/events o .c te a tg n e B k c e h C ails book page for det or our face

Free On Snow Ski Demos* January 10 - Loveland Ski Area January 17 - Winter Park Ski Area *Lift ticket and ID required

Backcountry 101 + Avy Beacon Practice

Wednesdays at 6:30pm at Bentgate BC 101 sessions are designed to introduce skiers and boarders with the equipment and resources that are available for fun and safe backcountry tours.

Topics Include: Backcountry essentials, clothing systems, ski touring & splitboard gear, avalanche safety gear and backcountry resources.

Meet at the shop for Avalanche beacon practices in parfet park in downtown Golden. Bring your beacons!

EXPERIENCED ADVICE IS A CALL AWAY

ADO R LO CO EN LD GO E, AV N TO G IN H AS 877.236.8428 | 1313 W

40

ELEVATION O U T D O O R S / J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

KID S’ E X P E RIE NT IA L L E ARNING OP P ORT UNIT IE S

Thi s s u m m e r, ex p e r i e n c e t h e powe r o f a u t h e n t i c o u t d o o r ad ve n tu r e . Av i d 4 Ad ve n tu r e c am p s t e a ch p r e - K t h r o u g h 7 t h g r a d e r s o f a l l l eve l s t o c l i m b , p ad d l e , b i ke , h i ke a n d t h r i ve i n th e o u t d o o r s . C a m p l o c a t i o n s in Bo u l d e r, C a s t l e Ro ck , D e nve r S t a p l e t o n , Wa s h i n g t o n Pa r k , G o l d e n , H i g h l a n d s Ra n ch , L a faye tt e . Le a r n m o r e a n d sign up online.

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J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6 / E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S . C O M

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HEAR THIS

01.16

THE BOOGNISH IS BACK

YOU WILL WANT TO BE AT THE BROOMFIELD EVENTS CENTER IN FEBRUARY WHEN WEEN WILL REUNITE FOR THREE SETS. HEY, TREY ANASTASIO IS PSYCHED.

by JEDD FERRIS

O

n August 7 of last year Phish played a show at the Blossom Music Center in Ohio. During the first set the band delivered a cover of Ween’s “Roses are Free,” a song that’s been in occasional rotation since 1997. Then something unexpected happened.

Guitarist Trey Anastasio stepped up to his microphone and made a plea to the defunct band’s founders, Aaron “Gene Ween” Freeman and Mickey “Dean Ween” Melchiondo.

"Guys it's time to get back together and start playing again,“ Anastasio said. “Aaron and Mickey I hope you hear that. Ween, one of my all-time favorite bands, time to get back together and start playing. You heard it here first.”

Fast forward three months to mid November, when it was revealed Anastasio was indeed on to something, as Ween announced two reunion shows at Broomfield’s 1STBANK Center that will take place February 12 and 13, 2016. Due to high demand, a third show was added shortly after for February 14. All three sold out instantly.

For fans of the popular cult rock band, the upcoming shows offer hope that Ween is indeed back on track after an an odd and embarrassing breakup that took place through magazine quotes and social media posts. In May of 2012 Rolling Stone published an interview with Freeman, who was quoted saying, “I'm retiring Gene Ween,” and went on to add, “It's been a long time, 25 years. It was a good run.”

It was a surprising way to break the news to the band’s loyal tribe, and making it even stranger was the small detail that apparently Freeman forgot photo courtesy MOSES NAMKUNG

42

WEEN DREAM: GENE WEEN AND DEAN WEEN (A.K.A. AARON FREEMAN AND MICKEY MELCHONDO) ARE COMING TO COLORADO.

to tell Melchiondo—his bandmate since 1984—who responded on Facebook with, “This is news to me, all I can say for now I guess.”

Definitely a weird way to split up for a group that spent more that two decades building a dedicated following behind its wild, stylistically diverse sound of oddball alt-rock.

But, truth be told, the breakup was not entirely unexpected. Ween shows were always notoriously big parties, and, onstage, the band members often seemed to be indulging just as much as the crowd. Freeman’s admitted battle with alcohol abuse got the best of him at a 2011 (the last year the band performed) tour stop in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he was too intoxicated to sing coherently and was eventually left on stage alone by his band mates.

In the years since the breakup, both Ween principles have remained musically active. In addition to chartering fishing trips on his boat, Melchiondo reunited his old side project the Moistboyz and toured with the remaining members of Ween’s most recent line-up as the Dean Ween Group. Freeman, who claims he left Ween in order to get clean, formed a new band called Freeman that released an eponymous solo album in

ELEVATION O U T D O O R S / J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6

2014. On the record he acknowledged his past troubles in songs like “(For a While) I Couldn’t Play My Guitar Like a Man” and he even spilled his thoughts on the Vancouver incident in “Covert Discretion.”

Melchiondo always seemed to believe a reunion was inevitable. Soon after the breakup he told MTV: “I can only speak for myself, but as far as I’m concerned, as long as Aaron and I are both alive on this planet, Ween is still together. This isn’t something you can quit. This is a life sentence.”

When you hear the bizarre originality of Ween’s music, it indeed seems that Freeman's and Melchiondo's greatest chance at success will always be together. The duo met in a middle school typing class in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and soon after started making music together. For many years, it was just the two of them playing quirky songs while backed by a pre-recorded drum track, and while it would be easiest to describe Ween as an alternative rock band, through the years—and a discography that includes 11 studio albums—the group proved willing to dabble in a limitless range of styles.

Crowds were always riled up by the band’s punk-flavored fist-pumpers that often included bawdy lyrics

about diseases, drugs and debauchery, but the band was always full of random surprises. They once went to Nashville, hired a crack band and made a country record, and on their last record, 2007’s La Cucaracha they had David Sanborn deliver a smooth sax solo on the standout “Your Party.” The band flirted with the mainstream with songs like “Push th’ Little Daisies” and “Voodoo Lady,” but, like Phish, Ween is largely an underground phenomenon with its own die-hard fan base and insider lore (like the band’s mythical logo character the “Boognish”).

The Front Range arena shows will mark a new, presumably sober, chapter for a band that will likely spend much of the year playing to the biggest crowds in its history, thanks to reunion momentum. The band has signed on with Red Light Management, the same company that helped Anastasio get back on stage with Phish after his own drug troubles, and Freeman and Melchiondo appear to be getting back together for the right reasons.

In a press statement announcing the Colorado shows, Freeman said, “I can't wait to get on that stage and hear how happy this makes people.”

T H E R E A S

I S N ’ T

A

C O M P A N I O N

C O M P A N I O N A B L E

A S

SOLITUDE. O F

C O U R S E ,

PLEASE ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

E X C E P T

INTRODUCING CANS FROM ODELL BREWING. GET OUT AND ENJOY.

B E E R .

THE ROAD

01.16

FINDING HOME

GROW UP IN THE WILD, TRAVEL THE WORLD, LEARN FROM YOUR FAMILY … AND THEN GO BACK AND DIG DEEP INTO THE WONDER IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD. words and images by MAX LOWE

T

he moon plays an eerie game on this snowy world. Sitting high in the sky, it lights the landscape in a mantle of white, streaked with long shadows reaching out of the the darkest black you could imagine on the forest's edge. In the distance, a lone great horned owl calls out and the soft sound of his hoot carries clear across the snow.

Below me—nestled into the hillside where it has stood and been lived in by five generations for nearly 150 years—is my family’s cabin. It’s warm and aglow with candle light, filled with the laughter of my friends, and the smell of burning cedar and an welcoming hot meal.

44

Also inside this cabin are memories that extend back into my past as far as I can recall, nurtured by my parents Alex and Jennifer Lowe’s love for their home in Montana and spending time out in the country with the people who made them. I have taken this creed up as my own as I grow and continue to expand my understanding of life, becoming more and more aware of the fact that exploring your own backyard, the place that embraces you as a native son and where you feel most comfortable, is one of the most fulfilling stories to tell.

“One of the best perspectives you gain from travel is seeing the value in your home.”

Their story is now my story. The things you value in life stem from the very beginning, and so I feel that a great deal of credit for where I am now can be traced to my youthful wanderings at the heels of my parents.

ELEVATION O U T D O O R S / J A N U A R Y- F E B R U A R Y 2 01 6

RAISED RIGHT: MAX SHARES THE INTENSITY HE LEARNED FROM HIS DAD AND CURIOSITY HE GOT FROM HIS MOM WITH HIS FRIENDS SAM, KELLEY AND MAYA ON THE SKIN TRAIL.

Those moment have grown into my continued love for wild places, both here in my home state of Montana, and out across the globe.

G

rowing up in Montana, the outdoors was our playground. We spent weekday afternoons tearing through the back alleys and side yards of my neighborhood, making up games that strained the imagination and earned me my fair share of scrapes and cuts.

On weekends, I would accompany my parents and brothers up peaks in the Bridger and Gallatin mountain ranges. We would camp on pristine mountain lakes, where I learned to fly fish and climb vertical rock. Come winter we would visit remote Forest Service cabins in the dead cold of the season to huddle around a wood stove and go sledding.

Starting when I was six years old, our family would move for the summer from our little home in Bozeman, and into the tightknit community of Renaissance

climbers who held court at the Exum Climbers Ranch in Teton National Park, where my dad worked as a climbing guide. This was when my indoctrination to adventure began.

Armed with a curiosity to follow my dad into the Tetons, I built forts in the deep aspen grove beyond our cabin’s front door, a backyard in one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. I lived out my Huck Finn fantasies, launching homemade log rafts onto the lazy bends of Cottonwood Creek and finding deep, clear fishing holes. While my dad guided clients to the top of the Grand Teton, I would follow my mom far into the backcountry in search of huckleberries and elusive cutthroat trout that hid below the mirrored surface of the lakes far out in the secret valleys of this, our wild and rugged home.

Over the years, my dad moved on from guiding in the Tetons and took his passion for climbing to the far reaches of the world. Forging a career doing what he loved most, exploring

the furthest and highest points our world has to offer, he brought my young self into the world beyond our backyard. He opened my eyes to the endless potential for exploration that can only be capped by one’s tolerance for dedication (ok, and a little suffering here and there).

The month before my 12th birthday, I returned to the Tetons alongside my dad and my friend Jared and his father to climb the Grand Teton for my first time, a monumental step up in mettle in my then young eyes. Looking back, this trip seems like a pivotal point in my life. It was my first major mountain climb with my father, Alex, and it was to be my last one-on-one experience with him.

“Looking back, this trip seems like a pivotal point in my life. It was my first major mountain climb with my father, Alex, and it was to be my last one-on-one experience with him.”

In late September that year, my father Alex Lowe was lost in the white ghostly plume of a massive avalanche in the Tibetan Himalaya, and my life was forever different.

Losing a parent at a young age changes your world. My dad was superhuman to me. He led a life of mystical adventure that I looked upon with wonder, and when he didn’t come home, the world became infinitely larger and less insulated.

My fairy tale of childhood dissolved, and the world gaped open wide in front of me.

Now, I travel the world on my own, and even get to call my exploration of distant shores and peaks my work. As a storyteller, I see infinite potential in travel. The complex, beautiful and unbounded narrative of human interaction within each of our unique environments across the globe is a story that ignites my creative passion. Immersing myself in things I know nothing about so as to understand the world around me more deeply, and then sharing that with those who care to listen, is something I want to explore as long as I can.

As I travel more and more though, I have found myself looking back to where I began. One of the best perspectives you gain from travel is seeing the value in your roots, the place and people that shaped you.

Looking in on the world you know so well at home from the outside allows you to see all with new eyes, and look at everything that seemed commonplace with invigorated curiosity and wonder.

S

tanding here now looking down on my cabin in the Grasshopper Valley on a freezing cold winter night, I barely notice the temperature. My friend and fellow photographer Eliot Ross once told me, “If you want to truly refine your craft as a photographer and tell a story that fulfills you, delve into a story that you think you know and dig. You will find something wonderfully larger than you ever imagined was there.” I have come to our cabin more often over the past six months than any year before, and it feels grounding. This place that ties me to my young life gives me a peace that I haven’t been able to distill in any other aspect or corner of my life. I can dig here.

It’s a strange phenomenon that seems to be very human, in that we develop inexplicably unique emotional value from things and places. A song that takes you back to a particular moment in your past, or a place that reminds you of the comfort of a parent. The landscapes that we tread in our childhood take on something beyond their mere physical

elements. The places that we call home and the routine exploration we discover right off our back porches holds immense value to each and every one of us in creating that warm glow of belonging, the feeling that you are a deeply rooted part of something greater than yourself.

Dawn breaks and the smell of burning wood and sizzling bacon permeates the little wooden homestead, thickening the air with moisture from the windows that are veiled with rime from the night’s frost. My friends Adam, Sam, Kelley, Maya and I set out for an afternoon of skiing when the low-tide winter sunlight finally hits the cabin around 11 a.m. We head for Maverick Mountain, the tiny mom-and-pop three-lift resort at the head of the valley. The skiing is some of the worst we have ever experienced—winter hasn’t quite kicked in enough to cover the minefields of rock that blanket the slopes—but the sun is shining and the view down the Grasshopper Valley,

dotted with haystacks and lazy cattle is beautifully quiet. Our laughs echo through the trees as we dodge core shots en route to the base area.

Striking our skis in the quiet of the parking lot, we drink beers as if they were our first, and head off for an evening hot-springs soak. Some of my first memories are learning to swim at Elkhorn Hot Springs when I was just a sprout, and in the last twenty-some years, the place hasn’t changed much. Under a single flickering light pole, hot water pours out of a pipe that runs from the hillside beyond, filling the old outdoor bath that was dredged by my great uncle with a team of horses in the late 1800s.

As we sink into the steaming mineral water, feeling the familiar gritty concrete floor of the pool with its thin layer of algae, I know this is the only place I want to be at this moment in time, home in my own backyard, re-exploring that which I thought I knew and finding so much more than I ever thought possible.

THE SUMMIT: MAX AND FRIEND JARED ATOP THE GRAND TETON IN 1999, THE LAST TRIP MAX TOOK WITH HIS DAD BEFORE HIS DEATH.

THE BEACON: DESPITE LIFE'S LOSSES AND CHANGES, THE FAMILY CABIN IS ALWAYS THERE.

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ELWAYVILLE

01.16

TOP THIS!

ELWAYVILLE’S TOP 10 REASONS WHY TOP 10 LISTS SUCK! BECAUSE VIRALITY.

by PETER KRAY

T

he explosion of Facebook and Twitter, the constant wartsand-all exposure of reality TV and, especially, the endless op-ed outrage of Fox News have all but destroyed the last vestiges of what used to be known as journalism.

And so a particularly toxic new form of “news” has emerged. Yep, it’s The Top 10 List. You know, that must-read ranking where everything from mountain towns to ski runs to pizzerias to brewpubs to washed up child stars to best James Bond chase scenes can be neatly arranged and ordered according to some obscure blend of alchemy, observation and sometimes—though not often— reader-generated votes.

There have been more than a few Top Five, Top Eight or Top 10 lists penned in this very column, including Top Western Movies, Top Reasons Winter Rocks, and one of this writer’s all-time favorites: “It’s Ruined: Ten Things that were Cool about Colorado … Until You Got Here.” And I’ll bet a sack of tacos the majority of you read some sort of top something or other list already this week. I bet you were doubling up, halfway through said list, shaking your head Why? Because for the most part, Top 10 Lists suck. They’re lazy, contain almost no real information and are usually forgotten the moment you finish reading them. In that spirit, here are Elwayville’s Top 10 Reasons Why Top 10 Lists Suck: #1. The author has absolutely no idea what he/she is talking about. I recently saw a list of top Colorado ski towns.

When I cyber-stalked the author, I found out he lived in Chicago. So, I’m thinking he might not be my best source for slopeside know-how.

Anytime you see some write-up touting Longmont as a vacation Mecca or extolling the Commerce City nightlife, you know it’s a bum list. llustration by KEVIN HOWDESHELl / kevincredible.com

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#2. Top 10 Lists involve NO science.

These are all opinion pieces. There’s no mathematical formula or head-tohead bracket to determine who grows the best weed, grills the juiciest cheeseburge, or has the most hairraising steep slopes. Unless someone were to devise a thoroughly tastetested best pizza championship. I’d sign up to judge that. #3. If there is any “criteria,” it’s almost certainly something you don’t care about. Like how many lifts the top ski area has (you’ll only ride two or three of the good ones anyway), or how many locals moved there after first visiting as tourists (I’m guessing that would be everyone who wasn’t born there, right?). #4. The author DOES NOT name your favorite brewpub, pizzeria or ski slope. And thus, has no idea what he/ she is talking about. #5. The author DOES name your favorite brewpub, pizzeria or ski slope. And the next time you go, it’s twice as packed.

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#6. Every Top Ten List would always be better as a Top Five List. That’s because the first five are usually so much better than the next five. But then the list would only suck half as much. #7. Because Moses (or somebody) wrote the world’s first—and best— Top 10 List (with more than a little divine intervention and stone tablets, of course), and God knows we still haven’t figured out a way to stay true to that. Then David Letterman followed that act up with comedy’s nightly version of the Ten Commandments, TV’s best recurring shtick. (We probably should’ve stopped while we were on top.) #8. Because by #8 the narrative begins to wander, walking out onto the porch to see the way the December sun is setting through the trees, calling a friend to talk about skiing tomorrow, and looking for that last little bit of inspiration to bring it all home. That, or our Internetinfused ADD encourages us to forget what we were reading. Wait, what were we talking about?

#9. One of these lists might actually change your life. Spend enough time on the Interwebs, daydreaming about some “10 Most Affordable Mountain Communities,” “Still Undiscovered Ski Areas,” or “Singles-Dog-MTBCaffeine-Bluegrass-Friendly Places” and you might actually be convinced to take the leap. We’ve all seen those pictures of shimmering lakes, untouched powder playgrounds, and wood-stove cabins with nothing but deer for neighbors, which start to convince even the most committed Coloradoan that it might be time to forgo the I-70 traffic. You could do worse than that. #10. Because for every Top 10 List you actually take the time to read, that’s ten moments of your life you’re never going to get back. #11. Because Spinal Tap. —Elevation Outdoors editor-atlarge Peter Kray is the author of The God of Skiing. The book has been called “the greatest ski novel of all time.” Don’t believe the hype? You can buy it here: bit.ly/godofskiing

www.terrapincarestation.com (303) 954-8402

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