Just another normal high energy weekend with a bunch of good friends from the downhill skateboard community. On Friday evening we had about 6-7 members of the AZ posse show up for the Buffalo Bill Downhill blood-spill. I was able to get one snowboard day in on Saturday morning while the racers were free riding on the course. The rest of the weekend was expecting a large avalanche cycle so getting only one day was excused and the needed rest could be good for the body. Though today I feel worse than before the weekend do to lack of sleep, consumption of dehydrating beverages, and allergies.

Looking forward to a great race day and enjoying the company of many skateboarding fools was on the plate for Sunday. The heats began at 10, with stiff competition in one of the largest downhill races many of my friends got knocked out early.

This lead to much home brew drinking (thanks Curt!) at the best viewing spot, while one racer Munkae (Check out his trucks ) was still in the race.

Munkae was finished and the finals were about to start when a helicopter flew in above to get some film footage. In this day of blogging and web marketing you are nothing if you do not have sick shots to display.

It is how all extreme sports is going, hardly anyone goes to a downhill skateboard race but many watch it on YouTube. Everyone was excited about the helicopter approaching the announcers stand and the race track when things changed quickly.




Only 50ft away the rotor clips a tree and is heading directly towards us, as we all run the other direction with shrapnel flying around. I see the blades stop spinning and know that all on the ground seem to be alright. I approach for a closer look to see all in the ship jump out and then know that everyone was alive. The final heat was shutdown for emergency traffic, so it was back to beer drinking,

We were forced to leave the scene of the crash, no more party at the helicopter crash!

So the party continued late into the night. Skateboarders jumping a large fire until the ramp began to burn, ziplines, and halfpipe it was the extreme sports party of the year (to date). This weekend drained the tank more than three days of huge backcountry, some great renegade times.

Cristo Couloir, Quandary Peak 14,265

Y.C. Powder Turns  (Photo Tom Armento)

Bluebird powder day on a fourteen thousand foot peak, how much better can it get. On Sunday night my roommate got back from Moab, UT with stories of more snow in the mountains and the roads being nasty. Obviously excited after a start to the weekend with party skiing during the Corn Harvest at Loveland and a tour with great friends out at another Berthoud powder day (Gary, Thatcher and Pete).

Gary giving the Berthoud Tour (Photo Pete Brunner)

It was natural to have another great day of powder on May 2^nd right? I was a little worried about the snow on a fourteener being that good, but to my surprise it was awesome. The day started out with a few Osama bin Laden comments and lots of coffee after staying up to see the President speak the night before. The plan was a north line on Quandary Peak near Hoosier Pass between Fairplay and Breckenridge with Tom and Fritz.

At 14,265 it would not seem to be an easy hike, as the sign at the bottom stated “there are no easy fourteen thousand foot peaks”, but it was a cakewalk compared to many of the other lines I have done this year. A short two and a half hour hike up the east ridge line we gained the summit.

Fritz working his way to 14,265 ft

Summit Shot, What No Wind!

With a few quick summit shots and a short discussion where to head, I was in no argument when the plan changed to the easier south face couloir named Cristo. It looked to have amazing snow and would be one of the best times to hit this south facing classic.

Fritz read to drop the Cristo

A mellow 40 degree angle for approximately 2500 feet. We were able to drop in right from the summit in to the line for full value, a rare experience.

Getting some sweet turns

Tom heading towards the end at the dam.

A great line that felt like I was riding it forever and now I know why it is a classic. So many ski lines to ride, the north face may go soon!! I will be out again soon.

Fourteener car to car 4 hours (Photo Tom Armento)