Colorado / 12-18-09

Click on pictures to enlarge.
The views from above Berthoud Pass. The snowpack was still a bit sketchy, so we decided to stay in safe zones, and get as much powder as we could.

Yours Truly showing off the Burton Fish from "World Boards". This is a great powder board that darts through the trees and transitions quick on the steeps. You only have to shift slightly to the rear and the nose just surfs.

Weez is rocking on her own Burton Fish. She was really cranking in the powder having a good time.

Steve has 2 speeds, idle and FULL SPEED AHEAD.

Jay was feeling the powder.

We got in 3 good runs on this day. Weez and I use the Atlas Backcountry Snowshoes, they have the lift for your heel which makes climbing the steep much less effort.

Steve making it look easy, he got in 4 runs on the day.

Big Fish little Fish standing in the snow.

Switching from up mode to down. It is when you put your outer layer of clothes and gloves back on. As you step out of your snowshoes into your snowboard you can enjoy the view and grab a drink before the descent, the reward for your effort.

We got into a steeper tree area on our last run.

The snow was great and we darted in and out of the trees.

The last run of Weezs' and my trip was the best. Steve and Jay stayed 2 more days, so they were right in the middle of their trip.

We finally got the powder runs that we had hunted for all week, everybody came home safe and it was a "GOOD TIMES" adventure. We had 3 days on the snowmobiles on top of Buff Pass in some untracked powder. One day snowboarding in the resort at Copper Mountain with fresh snow. A good day of hiking and shredding some powder at Berthoud Pass the last day. Even the freezing rain and snow storms on the drive out set the tone for the week, don't let your guard down.

Ya just have to be prepared for whatever the weather throws at you and don't force your plans, be flexible. With the red light avalanche conditions and thousands of miles driven we made the right decisions "knock on wood" this month. We met interesting people, laughed, downed a few cold ones and lived the life. Weez and I thank Steve and Jay for their companionship and good humor.

The kicker is, another storm is ramping up out west and we could gas up the truck and do it all over again. Yikes!! I better have a beer and go to bed, it's 3:07 AM!