Wagner Custom Ski Blog » ski touring

One’s too many, one more is never enough…

Brad Foley — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:56:04 +0000

Not sure how to spend the rest of my time in sunny California, Rob A. and I thought with the 136% of normal snow fall in the mountains of northern CA. we pulled the trigger on a near summer solstice ski on the north side of Mount Lassen. Finding skis, skins, and a pair of boots from the bros at The Backcountry we started driving north.

: Rob A. at the wheel

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.

: At the end of the road

: Rob A. making it 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.

: Close to the top, looking out to the north

: Skiing just below the summit with almost 4000′ back to the car

: Rob A. opening it up with Shasta in the background

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

: Enjoying the hot sun, the traditional post ski beer, and the view of the days work.

First Turns

Brad Foley — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 03:42:15 +0000

When I got the message from Spar down at the shop that my skis were ready I dropped what I was doing and drove down valley to pick them up and get them mounted before going to Silverton later that evening. Rallying Chason’s monster truck over the pass to Sil-town to a good friends birthday party we talked about how we would ski over the peaks between Red Mountain pass and into the Telluride valley the next day, our version of a mini European tour. A quick car shuttle in the morning after a cup of coffee from the Avalanche and we were standing at the turn out atop Red Mountain Pass watching our ride drive away.

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

Eye Candy

Brad Foley — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:10:44 +0000

A slideshow of some of my favorite images taken over the last year skiing around the beautiful San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. Enjoy

Josh Williams entering the Graveyard

click the link to view slideshow

http://vimeo.com/18367226

Touring with Friends

Chason Russell — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:10:51 +0000

Trenching in the Wasatch

Ski touring with your friends…. It is not always about getting the steep, deep, first tracks, or first D. It’s about doing what you love. It’s about being outside with your friends. Choosing the right terrain on the right days. Making good decisions. Taking memorable photos, and leaving nothing but sweet, sweet tracks. At the end of the day you and all your friends know the cold frothy beverage in your hand is well deserved!

Going deep in Ophir, CO

Deep Turns in Mustang

Brad Foley on the Alta Ridge

Cold Beer!

This year the touring in the San Juan’s has been limited by sketchy conditions, though it ‘s still possible to get out there. The big lines will be there later in the season. Conditions will change, new lines will fill in, when it happens we will be there. For more touring with friends photos, check out the web gallery at the following link: http://www.chasonphoto.com/SkiTouring/

Enjoy the journey, ski safely out there…..