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Front Range Beacon Practice???

Original Post
TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

Hello climbers who would rather be skiing in the winter...

I just bought an avalanche beacon and I'm hoping to find a few people to do some practice searches around the Indian Peaks, Berthoud Pass, or Loveland Pass areas. I would also be interested in digging snow pits and doing some slope evaluation. The plan would also be to ski some lines and have a good time, maybe even partake [in god's finer creations]in the trees.

If you are interested send me a message! Tevis

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265

I'm down for sure. I generally only have Sundays off at this point and I'm booked for this upcoming Sunday. Maybe next week if we can get a couple people together? I might be able to take a day off next week if that works out better..

--Marc

TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

Marc,
Sunday is good (24th of Jan.), I can ditch a monday as well if you want to skip the crowds.

Phillip Morris · · Flavor Country · Joined Aug 2002 · Points: 20

PM sent.

I also enjoy alternative treatments that are legal in 13 of the 50 states in this fine country for my chronic pain.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

I'd be interested in some Sunday in the near / immediate future...

Big ups to NJ for joining the cause...LOL

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265
Phillip Morris wrote:PM sent. I also enjoy alternative treatments that are legal in 13 of the 50 states in this fine country for my chronic pain.
New Jersey just became #14! ;)

--Marc
Kevin Coopman · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2004 · Points: 110

Guys,

There are so many nature avalanches at Loveland Pass.
This would be a perfect place to do some studies.

Idiot corner slid weeks back (tracks now on it). Prospector slid .... you can see slab slides on the side of the road .....

Kevin

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

FYI - the young guy they were looking for up in Vail was found killed by an avvy out of bounds near Blue Sky.

Play it safe out there!!!

Felix Rigau · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 20

Im interested in meeting up with the group on Sunday the 24th. looking to learn about winter travel in Avy territory and get comfortable with beacon search. Are you planning to thumb at loveland or skin up?

Definitely game for IPW... JPW is good too.

JC

TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

probably thumbing from the bottom or shuttling, and then skinning or hiking to the ridge. Having two cars there would be good.

TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

So at this point I'm planning on leaving Neptune's parking lot in Boulder at 7:30 AM on Sunday Jan. 24th (sorry, not doing the alpine start!) This should allow for arrival at the lower parking at Loveland Pass at 9AM. This is the hairpin turn where people hitch-hike on highway 6. Hopefully someone else will drive and meet here so we can organize a shuttle, otherwise thumbing is very easy.

If you want a ride from Boulder send me a message in advance, I can take two passengers (3 for shuttling with some crowding). Otherwise I'll be in a white S10 blazer at the lower loveland pass lot at 9AM (not at the ski resort...)

I'll probably want to spend a good portion of the day out there, so have plenty of food, water, clothing, shovel, probe, beacon, etc. and plan on it being much windier and colder at the ridge. Not to sound like a dad, but there's no reason to be uncomfortable all day; come prepared, maybe bring two pairs of gloves as we will be digging.

The skiing is off-piste/un-groomed/rocky/wildly variable/icy mixed with powder?/who knows/ no patrollers! While there are easy lines, expect difficult and changing conditions. I'm guessing everyone knows this stuff but I don't want to take it for granted, and I certainly don't want to drag anyone into conditions they aren't prepared for. The goal is just to have fun and get some good practice, but mother nature always makes her own plans!

Kevin Coopman · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2004 · Points: 110

Guys,

I am at Loveland Pass every weekend.
Conditions suck bad and have fun skiing 4 inch snow with rocks.
Everything is wind blown and everywhere you look is a nature avy (I mean you can count 3-4 big ones easily, seems like a new one everytime I go).

My kids take skiing at A-basin and the goal was to ski the pass every weekend. I have to admit that I am totally going insane waiting for the kids to finish and would be the first one skiing the pass if anything was truly in ....

You might consider a different location.

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265

Thanks for the head's up, Kevin. FWIW, I'll probably skip out if we don't get a good amount of snow this week.

--Marc

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

I should be in regardless...

TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

yeah, if there is nothing new I will probably bring the rock skis and just ski the gully. I would still like to practice with the beacons even if there is no skiing. It seems like a great season to be prepared.

Thank you for the heads up Kevin!

Dougald MacDonald · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 842

The Beacon Bowl at A Basin is February 6. Clinics, demos, contests, parties, etc., all to benefit the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Recommended!

facebook.com/event.php?eid=…

This listing says Feb 7, but that's a mistake: It's Saturday the 6th.

Dougald, Colorado MoJo

TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

for anyone still interested, sounds like conditions may be dangerous with windloaded new snow on some old crusts. I'll still be at the lower lot at 9AM to get some practice with beacons. If things look alright maybe ski some non-death trap terrain. I'm bringing my dog, so I won't be able to shuttle as many people (sounds like it won't matter though!)

Felix Rigau · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 20

I'm not going to make it up this time... would like to join another time though. So keep the thread alive!

Enjoy.

TBlom · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2004 · Points: 360

U.S. 6 was closed today due to poor visibility/blowing snow. I'll be trying again in a week or two if anyone is still interested.

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Kind of figured you wouldn't be making that trip....still interested in upcoming get togethers!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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