February 2008 - Posts
February 16, 2008
Hi Folks,
I had the pleasure of climbing and skiing Palmyra Peak for the first time today. Wow, what an incredible experience!
First off, I'd like to point out that this is not a place for anyone who is not in excellent shape and prepared for some exposed climbing/mountaineering. Once you start climbing beyond Mountain Quail (top of Black Iron Bowl), you're committed to a very strenuous climb to the summit at 13,320 feet - you really shouldn't turn around and walk downhill after you've started because of the pitch and footing.
If you're thinking of going, you should go with someone who has been up there before, carry a transceiver, shovel, water, snacks, extra clothing, and ideally have rubber soled alpine climbing boots as opposed to hard plastic ski boots. Also, a backpack which allows you to tie your skis or snowboard on and carry all your extra gear is essential. This allows you to hold your poles in your hands for balance and stability. I can't imagine carrying skis on your shoulder for this climb.
There are places you will be walking on loose, unconsolidated, rock and even doing the Spiderman thing down on all fours over rock. It took me about 90 minutes to get to the summit from the top of Chair 12. The climb is a little over 1,500 vertical feet.
This morning the weather was perfect. Approaching the peak starts at the top of Chair 12 and the easy part follows Prospect Ridge coming up the right side of this picture. It then gets steep for the last 60 minutes after you pass Mountain Quail:
From the top of Chair 12, this is the task before you, should you decide to go:
This is near the top. You can see other climbers below. There were a fair number of people going up today:
Here's a picture of your's truly just to eliminate any doubt that I actually made it :)
Here's Keith Renke - veteran Telluride Ski Patroller (and super nice guy). Keith was kind enough to show me some incredible routes of uncut deep pow on the decent. I really would like to thank everyone in the ski patrol department who have worked so hard to make this new terrain safe and available for our skiers and snowboarders. The opening of Palmyra Peak this season is a huge deal in the world of in-bounds/hike-to skiing and they should all be very proud of their excellent work. Helitrax (the only heliski company in Colorado) is also to be thanked as they helped haul heavy supplies up with their helicopter and perform avalanche control work earlier in the season:
Did you notice in the picture above that the gentleman on the left has two pairs of skis on his pack? That is because his 12 year old son, Jordan, made the climb also. Here is a picture of Jordan G. from California bagging the peak. You've got to wonder how many pre-teens have done this! Also, he's a telemark skier to boot - very impressive:
Here is another picture of the father / son team approaching the peak. Good job Jordan!
The views at the top are breathtaking (literally). Here is a picture looking down at Gold Hill:
Looking to the north:
This picture was taken about 1/3rd of the way down the northeast face. It's steeper and longer than this picture reflects. One thing that surprised me is that the chutes are wider than they look from down below:
This is near the top of the decent looking back uphill. The big rock spires are awesome. The snow was deep as it loads in from wind transport from the other side of the peak:
Down in the basin, you can see some avalanche debris from the patrol's earlier work:
This gives you an idea of the terrain off the top of the peak down into the basin below. Very impressive ski terrain...
There is really only one place left to explore after the experience of skiing Palmyra Peak:
Feel free to post a comment. Just click on "comments" below, scroll down and you'll find a dialog box. We always love to hear from you! Enjoy the ski season at Telluride! - Dave
February 8, 2008
Hi Folks,
Wow, what an incredible weekend - once again!
Telluride is the place to be. The snow conditions are - well - perfect.
Here's a view from the Spiral Stairs with the San Sophia range to the north. The historic town of Telluride is down in the canyon below:
This is the view from Apex Glades off Chair 6 - looking southwest:
Here's the finish area at the bottom of Black Iron Bowl for the Subaru US Freeskiing Open. The event is going on this weekend in perfect weather and conditions for the competitors:
The competitors were jumping off some of the cliffs in the foreground:
The spectators were amazed with the skiing:
Bald Mountain is another one of the fantastic hike-to areas at Telluride. Black Iron Bowl gets all the talk these days because it's new but Bald Mountain is really great also:
Here is the view from the top of Bald Mountain looking to the southeast. It only takes about 20 to 25 minutes to get to the top and you are rewarded with incredible skiing and views like this:
Here's a view looking east from 11,880' Bald Mountain. You can see the top of Chair 12 in the center/right of the picture:
Here's the view looking to the west from the summit of Bald Mountain:
Climbers soaking up the view before the decent. This is the northeast view from the summit of Bald Mountain with much of the Chair 6 and Chair 14 terrain in the background:
So what's the skiing like? Here's the east face near the top:
You drop down into forest glades below where there are nice openings:
Back over at the mid-mountain restaurant - Giuseppe's - the view of the backcountry is stunning:
But Telluride isn't all just about the steep and deep. These little rippers were excited to hit the slopes this morning. I love the fashion that kids get away with. Check out those pants on the left:
Now that's an outfit! I rode up Chair 4 with this cool 5 year old girl. She said she was from San Diego and really likes skiing Telluride. She also told me her dad was a very smart scientist - with a big smile on her face! Then she looked up at the sky and asked very clearly, "isn't this a beautiful day"? You've got to love those hot pink skis also!
Whatever your age and whatever your ability level - it's not hard to fall in love with Telluride.
Have a great winter and spring. I hope you have the opportunity to ski our slopes often.
Feel free to post a comment on the blog by clicking on "comments" below and scrolling to the bottom. You'll find a dialog box there. We'd love to hear how your season is going and what you think of Telluride! - Dave
February 5, 2008
Hi Folks,
We're celebrating huge snowfall this year - in spite of dire predictions of "La Nina". I remember dealing with reporters back in October asking: "how are you going to cope with the drought this season?"
With all due respect to my newspaper friends, the answer was that I don't subscribe to the El Nino/La Nina hype. It's all a bunch of "La Nada" in my opinion. I've seen so many years go opposite from the prediction it just doesn't make sense anymore. Most weather forecasts can't go more than 4 or 5 days with accuracy, how can anyone predict an entire ski season? Farmers Almanac - forget it. Woolly worms - no value to skiers.
The superstitious will cringe and say "now he's blown it - he's jinxed it - it won't snow for the rest of the season!" Again, I don't subscribe to the hocuspocus... (yes, that word is in Webster's).
All I care about is the reality we are living - that I believe in! And this ski season is delivering the best of the best at Telluride Ski Resort!
Yesterday we reported a foot of fresh. Here's the Plunge - see the little black dots - those are skiers. This is a massive run:
Fresh snow has filled in the bumps on the Spiral Stairs:
An unnamed pinhead enjoys morning turns under Chair 9:
But, this morning the sun slowly broke the clouds and the blue sky emerged over Mountain Village:
Allred's restaurant - the best dinner house in Telluride - at the top of the Gondola:
Milk Run gets the early morning sun with a great view of the historic Town of Telluride as you decend. Our talented winch cat operator carefully performed magic last night!:
As the snowstorm finally broke, a nice view opened up early in the morning from Chair 8:
Top of Chair 8, bottom of Chair 9, Lower Plunge, no wind, crisp temperatures, and trees filled with fresh/light powder:
An 82" base and sunshine forecast for the weekend (which I'll put some faith in). It just doesn't get any better than this!
El Nino, La Nina, or La Nada - what's your opinion? Feel free to post a comment - we love to hear from you!
- Dave