Mini AK in Rocky Mountain National Park

As I mentioned before and many of you have seen some of the photos on Facebook, I had another adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). On Monday I was back at the park to get a snowboard descent of the East Face of Notchtop.

We started on our journey again at Bear Lake trail head heading to the top of Flattop Mountain. We had great weather down low and was anticipating a beautiful day. Well, this changed once we got around the entrance for Dragon's Tail, the line I hit on Saturday.

The winds picked up and visibility want downhill for our hike around the Ptarmigan Cirque. With a little issue with some frostbite and the elements we kept pushing on. We settled in around a rock/snow cave for a quick lunch and prayers for the weather to break.

Fortunatelyy our prays were answered and we left the cave for a short jaunt over to the top of Notch couloir and Spire couloir, both lines that I will get sooner than later. Our eye were on the prize though and we headed over to the East Face.

Tom above Spire Couloir

The East Face appeared to have a large cornice above it, choosing not to bring the harness and rope (weight) I was unable to get out on it to get a closer look and cut the cornice. From here we could see a ski line that called our attention. No cornice to deal with, beautiful snow, and few options with a safety zone helped to make this route appealing.





So we hiked across another cirque, not as large as the first one, but still more distance to and from the car. We connected our tools for descent to our feet at the top of what is believed to be Knobtop and descended to the rock identifier we located across the way.

The Ski Line

At the top of entrance we saw a beautiful line that had us stoked to drop in. This is where we could not let the energy get the best of us, we needed to stay calm and smart. We dug a snow pit and analyzed our slide potential: we got movement on 4 from the elbow 8-10inches down with a Q2 shear and not a super cohesive slab (this was our new snow) on a South aspect. We had a secondary slab where there was a slight worry of a step down from the first layer sliding, but our test was unable to get it to move. After further discussion and outlining our safety zones we started our drop in.

Tom ready to ski cut

Tom dropped in with ski cut across to our intermediate safety zone on a small ridge, if we had complete failure the next safety zone was over a spine and constant traverse, down and out! Everything looked good to go and I got word to drop the whole line. As I dropped in, about ready to point it straight down the line, it avalanched a small slab and I went to the safety zone where Tom was. I let the snow take its path down the slope following gravity and then I followed right behind. Down the shoot over the rock band, a little core shot on the board, it was down the apron with some of the most amazing turns.

Photo By Thomas Armento

Photo By Thomas Armento

Tom was soon to follow with my eyes looking up at the sweet line I had just rode. He aired out a small spine down the middle, showing the mountain who the boss was. We looked up at a sweet line that we had painted with glorious turns, and then looked down at the perfect snow for the next pitch.



Our ski line on the right side, Photo by Thomas Armento



Here we played around with fun turns and some airs until we were at the base to begin our skin out. The hike out was horrible bush whacking and flat sticky heavy snow, there is a easier route out (you live you learn). It took six hours to the top of the line and four hours out with eleven hours total. A great line and great journey, with a first snowboard descent on my belt and maybe a first ski descent for the line.

Photo by Thomas Armento

Dragon's Tail, Rocky Mountain National Park

Happy Easter! This weekend has started out awesome, with a sweet line in Rocky Mountain National Park. The line I skied on Saturday is a Park classic descent with some exposure. When told the posse was thinking of doing Dragon's Tail I was stoked. Had heard about the route and had to stare at it during the Reed's wedding, its in all thier wedding pictures.  I had first hiked to the base when I was in Colorado in 2000 when I traveled right after turning 18. No idea ten years later I would be in the same spot looking at a steep descent I was about to go down with a board tied to my feet. 

The posse I enjoyed this adventure with was Gary, Tom, Thatcher, and Fritz. The approach starts at the Bear Lake Trailhead and ends at the top of Flattop Mountain. Relative to other big mountain lines it was a simple skin and quickly we were looking into the first couloir, Dragon's Tongue.

Three climbers had just topped out the couloir, this line looked really awesome, but was not on the plate today. I still could not figure out why people would climb up something and not ski it, it is the quickest way down. They did give us a funny look when we mentioned that we are skiing down near where they came up. We continued on to our objective, the next couloir over. This line was an impressive sight with a steep initial drop in and a large cornice above.

It is a Y shaped couloir and we chose to descend the skiers left. After dropping in the clouds engulfed us, taking away any visibility. We were forced to stop frequently and for longer periods in order to see our line and keep an eye on the person riding. As it opened up on to the apron there was a rock that required me to jump it, which I was glad to do. It was an awesome exit to Emerald Lake and a short quick run past snow shoe tourists, 100 points for pole stab and 500 for full take down. What a great day and grand descent. The posse was great and will be checking more of the Park out tomorrow with Tom.

Gary and Myself Ready To Drop

Thatcher Planning His Line

The Boys That Got The Dragon's Tail

Gary Slaying the Tail

Long Boards, Chutes and Airs

I wanted to write you guys again after such a great weekend. I am currently writing this following a 3:30 wake up with a dawn patrol hike starting at 6. This was ski day 4 of 5, with a needed a rest day of some skate board yoga. True zen is only obtained by the most focused, when you can float through the on coming traffic and not weave in and out. Looking forward to the most advanced of yogis for the Buffalo Bill Downhill on May 7 and 8. In the photo is Yogi Marshall practicing the hang-10, soon we will have the meditation and bro-bra pose. This was a great way to enjoy a rest day and get some things done, the ski clothes need to be washed sometimes. Especially after a day like Chimney Chute, a great line on Berthoud Pass. I have stared at this line for a two years now and really have wanted to get it. Last week would have been a great day but someone had to beat us there, why would you want to ski a line that somebody had already hit. So patience sent me back there this weekend where I was able to get it with some spring snow. A great day with Gary, Matt, Ed, and Rachael, a full splitboard posse. A beautiful line with rock walls around you and steepness in sections. We noticed some wet snow avalanche risk was around the corner and moved on. It is hard to beat getting a chute that I had been wanting to get, but today I was able to get two.

Looking Up At Our Turns Down Chimney Chute  

This morning the alarm went of and I jumped out of bed, dress ready to go. Who am I kidding! I lied earlier, I hit snooze twice and was finally up at 3:50. Running late to the parking lot to get my dawn patrol on with Nick. It was off to a better start than before when we tried to get to these lines, it was not closed for avalanche control by CDOT. I am not aware of the names, but one had a mandatory air and the other was steep. As we approached the lines Nick stated: “we are above some cliffs” which then I replied “that's the point.” Following the two lines and a phone call to Mom (GNAR points), it was off to launch pad. Launch Pad is a cliff that has filled in well this year, which Nick was ready to huck before I could get around the corner. We both felt some air under the planks and called it a day, well it was off to work.

Nick Getting Some Air Under The Telemark Skis, Photo Y.C.

Welcome!!

So here is my blog, Welcome!! With this being my first post I assume that you are a friend or family member. As many of you know I have not been much of a computer person out side of a few emails here and there if we were planning some cool trip. I have had a change over the last few months after leaving fire and entering new employment. Working around computers more I have learned the potential that the Internet has. Most importantly maintaining relationships that have been built with people that have influenced my life. This is why I am starting this blog. I felt like with facebook I could not explain my trips in fun stories along with the photos. This way I can share my experiences with people who would enjoy checking them out, and if you do not care. . . do not come back. That is what this blog all about . . .

It is about the Friends that are willing to take it to that next level!

Most of all my adventures require a team or at least one partner in case something goes wrong.  These stories are going to include many awesome people that share the same passions and drives.  In this photo is Mikey V., Matt, and myself at Silverton earlier in the season.  This was an great trip where a few of my friends and I spent a week around the Wolf Creek area.  Then came to the best lift access extreme sledding, Silverton.  A few pros blended in with the ski bums in the shelter at the base, while the helicopter was also flying overhead.  What a great place! I will be back and this is what this blog is about.

It is about the ways I play in the mountains!

Whether it is splitboarding or climbing the rock, it is not only the summit.  It is about the ascent and descent, the over all journey, and the failures.  I have spent on average three days a week this season out in the mountains.  I have broken a number of gear items and ripped a few clothing items also.  This blog is to share these stories of getting up at 3am so you can be to work by 10am with the negative 5 degrees.  It is about how my gear failed and I am hiking through feet of snow for hours.  Its about getting to the summit where you had to fight to get to the top and you still need to get back home safe.  Its about the powder turns on the way down.

It is about pushing boundaries and growing stronger as a person!

A person who is not learning and being challenged is not living life.  This blog is about me trying to live out my life to my limits, pushing my personal boundaries mentally and physically.  This year I launched a 20ft cliff which was my largest to date and have been riding the splitboard more than ever.  I plan on snowboarding down many of the Colorado fourteeners and many other lines that will be great adventures.  While pushing the boundaries there will be lessens learned and goals achieved.  This is what my blog is about!

Come check it out every now and then, I will be posting any time there is something fun and exciting to share.  Send your friends here if you think they will like the stories and information.  It would be nice to get your comments, it is open minds and communication that help people take things to that next level.