Congratulations and Happy 11th Birthday Chapin Newhard – On Your First Fourteener Ski Descent

Our friend and Backbone Media owner Penn Newhard sent this in the other day. Had to be a blog post.

Hey Lou,

Chapin told me he wanted to ski a 14er for his birthday (he turns 11 at the end of the month), so Big John Gloor and I meandered up Quandary this past Saturday and we ended up snagging Cristo Couloir in windy and creamy conditions.

Chapin on the descent.

Chapin did great on the uphill – high winds forced us to our knees at times and off the East Ridge onto the main face to avoid the gusts higher up. Overall a great trip.

Quandary, with Cristo Couloir marked.

After nearly packing it in due to high winds and seeing a few parties retreat around 13K – we played the patience game, moving out of the most exposed areas and slowly gaining altitude.

“Let’s just go a bit higher and see how the snow is,” became the mantra and a great lesson for the young lad, who around 13,500 admitted “even if we don’t make the top this is the greatest adventure of my life…”

Gloor and Chapin at the summit.

A bit later when he asked how high we were and we said probably nearly 14 he rallied – “if we are that close there is no way we aren’t gonna summit!”

Anyway, Lou (and I shared this with Dav too) – thanks to you for being such a proponent and motivator for so many of us! I am certain Chapin never would’ve conceived of skiing a 14er if he hadn’t have met you and Chris and been inspired by both of you.

Chapin Newhard, his first fourteener ski descent, congratulations!