CO/WY LIVE VIEW

(RMNP, CO)

(Cameron Pass, CO)

(Willow Creek Pass, CO)

(Elk Mountain, WY)

(Arlington, WY)

(Snowy Range, WY)

(287 CO/WY Border)

(Hwy 127 CO/WY Border)

(Red Feather, CO)

(Steamboat/Ears , CO)

(Vail Pass, Sundown Bowl, CO)

(Monarch Pass, CO)

(Togwotee Pass, WY)

(Winter Park, CO)

(Grand Lake, CO)

(Wolf Creek, CO)

(Grand Mesa, CO)

(Silverton, CO)

(Berthoud Pass, CO)

(Loveland Pass, CO)

(Breckenridge, CO)

(Abasin, CO)

(Gore Pass, CO)

(Freemont Pass, CO)

(Orphir, CO)

(Jackson Hole, WY)

(Alpine, WY)

Blogs

Colorado Backcountry: Update! Copper, Stolen Gear, PMGear USA, Dusk Patrol

Submitted by jp on Sun, 11/05/2006 - 08:01

A few reports and pictures coming! Stay tuned. Slayed Copper opening day with Nic Drago, Dodds, Langer, Aspen's own CrookedCop and crew. Backcountry sled access dusk patrol yesterday with the WKS boys, scored almost 6000 vert.

The WKS crew has had an epic early season and things are just getting better and better. Between stolen gear, major flocks of gapers and long days in the backcountry we've somehow found the time to work on a few new projects. The coolest in my opinion is Dave's new web gallery and online store. If features selected prints from Dave Bourassa and the WeKnowSnow crew, each print is autographed and numbered. Sales from these prints end up helping fund the WKS crew and our trips / adventures.

Dave Bourassa Photography

PMGEAR Usa, the makers of Dave's stolen bro models loved the shot Dave took of me sitting on the sled waiting for the sun. They put it up on rotation on the homepage. Thanks PMGEAR. In the foreground of the shot you'll see Dave's bro models and his pack. This is what was stolen. IN THE BACKCOUNTRY? WTF!

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Colorado Backcountry: 10.26.06-10.29.06 - Colorado or Mars?

Submitted by jp on Mon, 10/30/2006 - 09:59

Front Range Colorado
10.26.06-10.29.06
JP, iskibc, kya, D-Side11

PHOTOG/Trip Report by: iskibc
Shot w/ Olympus E300 D-SLR (wide and telephoto lens)

iskibc's TGR Report

Colorado or Mars?

A wet and heavy storm dropped 2' of new snow and blanketed most of the northern and central mountains. The storm checked-in and checked-out rather quickly, dumping anywhere from 24"-33" along the front range mountains. Throw in some high winds and varying temps and you got yourself a rather tricky snowpack.

Early morning light from 12K:

jonpierre waking up:

Indian Peaks waking up:

Waiting for the sun:

Colorado Backcountry: ‘The Storm’ - More Pictures!

Submitted by jp on Mon, 10/23/2006 - 09:38

10.21.06 - Colorado Backcountry

(you can 'right click - view image' to see full size picture)

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Colorado Backcountry: The Tale of ‘The Storm’ - 30″ in 24 Hrs.

Submitted by jp on Sun, 10/22/2006 - 18:24

The Tale of 'The Storm' - 30" in 24 Hrs.
SurfTheEarth, jonpierre, snowfire, GFP, Alex, iskibc
by: iskibc
10.21.06

(you can 'right click - view image' to see full size picture)

7:45 AM, Friday
10.20.06

The early morning light vanishes as blue sky is overcome by dark-grey clouds and fierce NW winds. The first few flakes begin to drop from the sky, thus marking the beginning of ‘The Storm’.

9:50 AM, Friday
10.20.06

1 in 2. The winds pick up, the temperature drops, and the snowfall increases.

12:10 PM, Friday
10.20.06

“SLAM!!”, the door shuts forcibly behind me as I step out of my office and say goodbye to another hectic work week. By the time I reach the parking lot and climb into my truck, the stresses from the week begin to slowly subside. Looking to the west I can see The Storm has begun up high and the peaks are no longer visible.

12:55 PM, Friday
10.20.06

Colorado Backcountry: Day O’ Sled Shred Number 1

Submitted by jp on Wed, 10/18/2006 - 17:29

The 2007 Yamaha Phazer Mountain Lite is a killer. Go get yourself one ASAP! Logged 35 miles on the sled today in almost 30" of new snow. So much fun to ride and tons of power, after about the first 20 miles (sled had zero miles) the tone of the sled exhaust changed and I also saw a lot more power -- I guess it's broken in now. The thing rails, didn't get stuck at all - barely got the sled over 9k rpm. I'm so stoked to have a day in on this sled so early, and all my fears about lack of power or other internet naysayer problems have completely disappeared. Thanks Yamaha!

Alex and I saw a couple of crashes each yesterday but mine was the hardest and fastest. I almost had the sled roll over me completely and it took a nice chunk of skin out of my kneee!! Could have been way worse.

And gotta give a big thanks to my boy AKD for helping me with all the sled mods! Here are some pictures of the day by Alex M:

heading up trail early morning:

alex rails above treeline:

phazer mountain lite and CFR gear:

JP in the upper bowl:

alex - hero shot

Colorado Backcountry: Castle Peak - 14,265ft - North Couloir

Submitted by jp on Sun, 10/15/2006 - 14:02

Castle Peak - North Couloir

Kya, jonpierre, SurfTheEarth, FigureEleven, iskibc
10.14.06 - Castle Peak - 14,265ft
photos by: iskibc

iskibc's TGR report (click here)

The crew started off another adventure 1:00am Saturday morning. After gathering everyone and making the early drive to Aspen we were hiking by 6:30am with bluebird skies. That quickly changed as snow moved in from the south west making visibility near zero on the top of Castle Peak. The North Couloir off of Castle Peak was the target and big line of the day.

Update (10.16.06): A number of you guys asked about snow conditions in the Elk Mountain area. Here is a brain dump from myself and iskibc.

"This time of year really exemplifies how location, elevation, and terrain enhanced weather really play a role in the snow depth across the state. Some high mountain areas have seen rain while others have been getting hammered by heavy snowfall. Some mountain areas (mostly northern mountains) have no snow on the ground, while other areas (Elks, San Juans) have several feet of accumulation." --iskibc

"Underneath the wind slabs we found some faceted snow about 12" deep on top of rock. Not looking good at all. This was the point where the weather went from overcast to downright white room where you couldn't see 15' down the slope. All in the matter of a couple of minutes. The decision to bail on this line came quick and we decided to head over to the north couloir and give that line a try.

The snow in the north couloir was still slabby, but it had been cut up from the previous day and there wasn't that hollow-like feel to the upper layer. After a few ski cuts on the upper half we deemed it safe enough to head down slowly and work from safe zone to safe zone." --iskibc