Powder day in Alpbach backcountry, Austria.
Last night we joined fellow backcountry travelers at our local backcountry ski shop here in Carbondale, Cripple Creek Backcountry, for a discussion about snow stability. Brian McCall of Colorado Avalanche Information Center analyzed our area and reviewed slope evaluation techniques.
Historically, Colorado has the highest avalanche fatality rates in the nation so we are mindful each year about snow pack development. Weak layers that earlier in our season frequently persist for months, and can be the cause of avalanches throughout the year. Brian pointed out that a few of these weak layers from January will likely persist until they melt out in the summer. Terrifying.
Lou has dealt with this for years, been a victim of it, and says “If I can offer one thought, it’s the backcountry skiers in Colorado need to be more risk adverse than many of them are. You simply can’t be as cavalier and aggressive as with other snowpacks.”
So at least for now, our Rocky Mountain excursions will be very conservative. We’ll still get out but will by hyper vigilant about route finding and group dynamics. Thankfully we’ve been able to ski safer snow in Canada and Europe. Those guys get weak layers as well but especially at lower elevations in Europe they don’t seem to persist like ours do here in Colorado. Check out our photos from a recent tour in Tirol.
Skiing through Farmkehralm to the base of Gamskopf. Grosser Galtenberg is the large peak to the left.
Skinning up Gamskopf.
'Treue zu Gott, Erbe der Vater' translation 'Faithfulness to God (and to the) inheritance of the fathers'
Peaks behind Gamskopt.
Zillertal.
Ski tracks below Grosser Galtenberg, view from top of Gamskopf. Check out the set of 'euro-wriggle' turns at lookers left. That guy was not messing around!
Skiing down Gamskopf to Farmkehralm.
Another popular tour is skiing from the ridge below Dristenkopf, the peak seen here.
St. Johannes wurst - the longer the better.
Heddie and Margaret, our partners on Gamskopf, share laughs with us at the Gast Haus. Is the St. Johannes wurst the secret to their Tirolean Frauenpower?
In the old days, these tables were hinged to the wall and could be folded up to clean the floors. Also used as outside tables and were folded up to clear snow or store away when not in use. The clever 'panhandle shape' and u-shaped seating allows six people to gather comfortably in a booth space that normally seats four.
WildSnow Girl, Lisa Dawson, is the luckiest girl in the world. Also known as Mrs. WildSnow.com, she tests whatever gear she wants. She gives the WildSnow family of websites the feminine voice.
