We got to Lassen Volcanic Park just before sunset, fired up the Weber and filled ours stomachs with chicken  sausage and beer.  Waking up around 5am and at the  trail around 5:30 we easily made our way through the low trees to the bottom of the north face.

After half a PB&J we started boot packing the rest of the way to the summit, a little over a thousand feet and about an hour later we standing on top enjoying the view of the crater left behind by the 1914 eruption and Mount Shasta 80 some miles to the north.

Great skiing from the top on my first volcano, not a bad way to spend the day before the summer solstice.

Early to bed, early to rise makes man a hell of a nuisance.  The sound of the pre dawn alarm was hard to accept with the lingering clouds hanging around the peaks.    Off and on snow over the past two weeks and June approaching it was nice to have a sunny day to enjoy the new snow and blue sky.

Spring in southern Colorado is fun time early morning skis, afternoons on the river or today enjoying the warm sun sitting in the sun.  After a short hike with our skis over grass and fallen logs to snow line we made the ridge above the mountain hamlet of Ophir.

With May coming to an end corn snow is more the norm, but with a long winter thoughts of powder turns in the high San Juan’s ran through my mind.

Checking the map, Red Mountain Pass

Following a skin trail from the day before that led up to the top of the Commadore we made good time heading west toward Telluride.  Checking the map one more time and a stop to tend to a hop spot on Emily’s foot we enjoyed a beautiful day with fantastic views into the Weminuche Wilderness and into Telluride.

New Wagner's and one of the many great views

Chason and Emily making their way to the top of Telluride Peak

With warm temps, no wind and plenty of time we stayed on the summit for almost an hour eating lunch and taking the amazing view, from the high steep peaks of the Weminuche  to the La Sal mountains in Utah.

Chason looking down the north face of Telluride Peak

Chason, Telluride Peak

Chason on his favorite Wagner's, Telluride Peak

First turns on my new skis...

Skiing off the shoulder just under the peak into boot top powder I was nothing but smiles all the way down into the basin below.  Light, stable, a little rocker, and easy to turn my new backcountry ski is exactly what I’ve been wanting for my touring ski ( 143mm-107mm-127mm and 180cm ).

Chason skiing soft trees below the ghost town of Tomboy

Thanks again Pete and to the crew down valley for building another great ski. I can’t wait to put my skins on again and  go for another tour.

... after a cold one

2.12.2011

With a week of warmer weather and a settling snow pack I spent the time skinning, and getting sunburn in the mountains around Telluride.  Starting early on saturday with bacon and coffee I met Brian C. and Dustin H. with intentions of skiing the Silver chute off Silver Mt.  Skinning up the north side of Lena basin I had my doubts of getting around the south side of the peak due to the quickly warming sun.  Summiting Silver I decided to ski back into Lena basin in the cold north facing powder, Brian and Dustin continuing on making the exposed and scary traverse to the entrance of the Silver.  Back in the Bear Creek basin I met up with Jim C on his way to ski the north side of K 12, I joined in.

After a short but steep skin we were looking at soft creamy snow back to valley below.  Not wanting skiing to go buy to fast we stacked tight turns from just under the summit to the bench below.  Wanting a few more turns and time left in the day we put our skins on and made the move to ski the Bear Face off Little Wasatch.

2.13.2011

Sunday blessed us with another beautiful day, warm, sunny, and a dinner party up at the Alta Lakes Observatory.  Skiing over to the house with Chason and Emily we empty our packs of the nights dinner and drink and started up to the Birthday chute above the house.  Having tried to ski the Birthday four time earlier this season and being turned back for one reason or another I was hoping this would be the day we would be able to gain the ridge and put turns down the Birthday Chute.

Great snow all the way back to the house was only to be out done by Annie P’s amazing dinner in one of my favorite places in the San Juans.

2.14.2011

It’s always a treat run into friends from out of town when you don’t expect to.  Late sunday I met up with two friends from Durango, Parke and Ryan and made plans to ski the classic Telluride tour, Trout Lake to Ophir.  With plans set and the Ski Patrol rookie party in full swing the only thing left to do was grab one more beer before heading home.  Breakfast at the Butcher and Baker and it was off to Ophir to drop a car and on to the skin track.

In, what seemed like no time at all we were standing on the ridge looking down towards Ophir embracing the wind and excited to ski.

Great skiing with great friends in one of the most amazing places, I love my life…

Josh Williams entering the Graveyard

click the link to view slideshow

http://vimeo.com/18367226

Scott Kennett waxing skis in the Elk Mountain Lodge basement

Skiing with the athletes and crew from Wagner Custom, some long time ski partners and some new friends,  is always a good time.  So when Pete called and ask if I wanted to go cat skiing at CS Irwin Lodge I couldn’t say yes fast enough.  Driving up from Telluride to Crested Butte the night before warm temps and rain made us more nervous than if we were driving in a blizzard. By the time we rolled into town the rain had turned to snow, and nerves were replaced by excitement of the day to come.

After an early breakfast, we met Karina and snow cat driver Caroline for the short cat ride up to the ” Movie cabin “, more coffee, a quick safety talk and we were out the door and on our way for the first of what would be many great runs.

Lead guide Billy Rankin gives the morning safety talk

Heavier than normal snow took a few turns to get used to, but then it was game on.  Run after run guides Billy and Allen Bernholtz led us to fall line skiing in soft snow protected from the wind.

Snowing hard at tree line

Wagner athlete Chason Russell enjoying the soft landings

the Winterstick in action

After a long day of soft and deep powder runs in the beautiful Elk mountains we were ready for a cold beer and some food, Billy on the other hand looked like he could go for a few more.  Thanks to the entire  staff at CS Irwin for a great day of skiing.

Billy, ready for more

Cedar Palmer

After finding or landmarks and a quick laugh at how much snow had fallen over night it was time for a little fun.

Cedar sending the pillow line

Making it look easy

Skiing out out the bottom of the run we all new we be back for more.

Cedar and his custom rockered Wagners

The Observatory

After a season ending injury last year it feels great to get back into the snow get to it.  With a fragile snow pack and firm skiing on the ski area we decided the best thing was to hit the backyard for some mellow pow and some not mellow control work.  Patience has never been one of my strong suits when it comes skiing, but this year more than ever we have had to endure long periods of little to no snow, long cold days and a very tender snow pack.  I can’t take it anymore, it’s time.  One of my favorite zones to ski in the San Juans sits just over the ridge from the Telluride ski area, the Cirque above the Alta lakes Observatory.  With an unlimited variety of terrain, from mini golf power to the steepest of couloir skiing Garrett and I made the call the night before to go “play” in his backyard.

Skiing over from the ski area was more an exercise in avoiding rocks on the south-facing slope down to the Observatory.  Moving quietly through the trees past a few “Red Coats” on “break” we made our way down to the house for some left-over chicken and a hot drink.  After a quick bite we made our way up the skin track to the top of the Powder Reserve, ski cutting the pitch above the trestle we found light, dry snow perfect for skiing.  Making turns back to the house for another hot drink, we were putting our skins on for another lap, this time pushing higher to the top of the Bride’s maid couloir.   Putting in the skin track to the top of the Bride’s maid I was surprised to find the couloir was  holding better  snow than we expected.  It was satisfying to reach the top knowing that we had made the right call.  A few minutes to evaluate the snow pack, good to go.  Garrett dropped first, making little noise as he moved down thru the snow leaving his mark behind.  One more pitch of skiing back to the house we found perfect snow and few face shots as a wonderful bonus.

Garrett in his Backyard

Cold and a little tired we sat around telling a few jokes and watching the alpenglow fade on the west face of Palmyra Peak.  Nothing left to do now put grab our headlamps and puffy coats and head home.  Just another great day in the mountains playing in the snow with my Wagner skis.

The Corner Pocket by Brad Foley               Photos by Brad Foley and Chason Russell

The day started out normal enough, coffee, breakfast, morning phone calls to find a ski partner for the day and out the door.  By the time I had made it to town Chason was calling with one thing on his mind, the Corner Pocket.  As one of the last unskied lines on the west face of Silver Mountain the Corner Pocket was high on the list of ski decents.  After grabbing climbing gear and ropes Erin Raley, Chason Russell and I were on the lifts and on our way to Silver Mountain.

Erin Raley climbing to the Corner Pocket in Lena Basin

Moving quickly through upper Lena basin we made it to the entrance of the Corner Pocket at the top of the ridge between Palmyra Peak and Silver Mountain.  Looking down the couloir that led to the hanging snowfield of the Corner we knew that it was going to be more of an adventure than we had thought. 

Chason Russell entering the upper couloir

Wanting to ski the line as pure as possible Chason kept the ropes in his backpack and headed down the steep, rocky terrain.  Sidestepping with skis on to a small patch of snow we were able to make a few turns to the next section of extremely steep rock.  Trying not to think of the cliff below we made it through the crux of the down climb with adding only a few grey hairs.

Hop turns in the upper couloir

Down climbing the steep rocky section

Back on snow and feeling much more comfortable we had finally made it to the heart of the Corner Pocket.  The heat of the sun had left us with soft easy skiing snow; with breathtaking views to the west and smiles now on our faces the only thing left to do was ski.  Left right left right down to the “powder reserve” and on to the Observatory for a much needed rest before skinning back to our cars.  Even if someone had skied the Corner Pocket before us, it didn’t matter I was just happy to have spent the day with two great friends in one of the most beautiful places around.

Chason enjoying turns in the Corner Pocket

The Corner Pocket

The Why Couloir January 11, 2009 — Words and photos by Brad Foley

Scott in the Why

The Why Couloir

Scott skiing the upper pitch of the Why

Skiing the Exit couloir

Turns in lower Delta Bowl

Please drink responsibly