Montana & Utah Avalanche Fatalities / January 21 & 24, 2016 / Snowmobile / Skier

http://www.flatheadavalanche.org/sites/default/files/20160124_swedecreekavalaccidentreport_final.pdf


This is a very good report that helps one understand a bit more of what happens in the moments right after things go terribly wrong. This is a second avalanche and report that happened in Utah. Both valuable sources of info. RIP and condolences to all involved. Be careful out there in the mountains...


 https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanches/26182

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Photo from my trip to Colorado this week, the view from our backcountry cabin. Notice the natural slide on the slope. These are east facing slopes which are the wind loaded aspects. Storm a few days ago with big winds loaded the east facing mountain.

This is a link to the Colorado / USA Avalanche site that is also a link on my blog site. Check it out.

 http://avalanche.state.co.us/accidents/us/

I am using this information for myself as a learning tool. We just returned home after a trip into the backcountry mountains of Colorado. We encountered slope situations and I like the fact that we quickly discuss our next move. One can not be correct 100% of the time...but you better be correct in each decision that you are making at that present time so you can come back alive.  

10th Mountain Hut Trip 2015 / Colorado Backcountry / Snowboarding Snowshoing and Skiing / Day 1

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The band of adventurers fresh for the slog up to the 10th Mountain Hut west of Leadville, Colorado. Me, Weez, Dan, JT, and Shawn, posing before the 4.5 mile journey. Weez and I are up at the cabin for 3 days and 2 nights, the others are up for 4 days and 3 nights.

 We must pack our food, clothes and sleeping bags for the time up in the mountains. The cabin sits at 11,300 ft and it is surrounded by a mountain ridge that reaches up to over 13,000 ft.

 Shawn and Dan shouldering the hefty backcountry packs.

JT and Weez rocking up the trail...

Keeping the legs moving and taking short 10-15 second breaks are the key for me to maintaining a steady pace at this altitude of over 10,000 ft.

 After several punchy climbs and a short lunch break we gained the open meadows that would bring us to the cabin.

 Gaining the view of Homestake Peak is awesome and we know that we are approaching our cabin for the next few days.

 Snowshoing and packing the snowboards...Weez and Yours Truly, MJ.

 A short break in the cabin for a quick lunch and unpack a few supplies. Then it was out to get a few turns on a rock face that I had played around on last year.

 Gotta hike up to get the turns in.

 The snow started and Weez got her first turns in the backcountry this year. Looking good!

 Shawn was next to feel the turns, good to get out for a bit before dark.

 One more hike up the face and make the most of the daylight. The snow was starting and we would end up with about 10 - 11 inches of powder with some good winds to move the fresh snow around overnight .

 Stayed up late and checked on the new snow during the night, the winds were really ripping off the mountains.

It was a very good first day and night at the 10 Mountain Hut!!

Board on!

10th Mountain Hut Trip / Final Chapter / Road Trip Home

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When one is traveling in the backcountry, wearing a backpack and switching gear is the rule. For me with my snowboard and snowshoes it means a transition from one to the other. For the skiers, to travel uphill it means applying skins to the bottom of their skis. Then removing the skins for the ski down.   

 Dan following the track up.

 All my gear in the snow for the transition as I arrive at the top of the mountain after the climb up.

 My snowshoes secured to my pack for the decent on my snowboard.

 This was the rock face that I was doing laps on as the snowfall increased and darkness settled in. Hike up, snowboard down, did about 6 loops. Good fun!

 The Final Day

Hike out from the Cabin / Start the 1000 Mile Drive Home

 We gather in the falling snow before the slog out to the trailhead. It snowed all night and there was about 2 feet of fresh powder on the ground.

 The woods were awesome with the blanket of fresh snow.

I arrive at the trailhead feeling strong. 3 days and 2 nights in the Colorado mountains with great midwinter conditions and everybody back alive and well...Hike and Ride On!

 Road Trip Home / 1000 Miles Overnight / Snowstorm 

 

Wayside Hotel, pulled in for a 2.5 hour break and then the final 700 mile sprint for home.

Good Times!!

Colorado 10th Mountain Hut Trip

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The trailhead and start of a 3 day adventure in the Colorado mountains.

 It was about a 4.5 mile slog up to the cabin, we gained 1200 feet of vertical. The cabin sits at 11,200 feet.

 A snack break along the trail, with 13,000 homestead peak in the background.

 The tree of the day...

 I popped over the ridge and the cabin was in view. The surrounding mountains range from 12,000 to over 13,000 feet.

 Ted arriving at the destination.

Day 2 @ the Hut

Steve, Dan, Ted and I are all geared up and ready for a hike up to the top of the ridge. Followed by snowboarding and skiing down.

Traversing across the mountain and gaining elevation...

Dan doing the the kick turn up the traverse.

Steve skinning above along the 12,000 foot ridge, just blue sky above.

Ted and I arriving up top. The views are amazing.

Snowshoing, snowboarding,or snowmobiling, reaching the top of a mountain is the moment of appreciating ones surroundings.     

Steve removing his ski skins for the ski down.

Skiing off the top.

After a snowboard down, we hiked back up and I savored the views and hiked further up the ridgeline. Evidence of a natural avalanche was on the north facing ridge.

The picture below is of Homestead Peak, over 13,000 feet across the huge bowl. I could see the snow blowing off the far ridge.   

Check out The 10th Mountain Hut
 Ride and Hike On!!