Colorado Weather Discussion Thread

**The SnowShow** · 05-13-2019, 12:18 PM

High alpine at Breck skiing so well this morning. Everything is so thick in the Ten Mile and Gore Ranges.

**Name Redacted** · 05-13-2019, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by The SnowShow

High alpine at Breck skiing so well this morning. Everything is so thick in the Ten Mile and Gore Ranges.

Yeah, and everyone I know is so "Over it" that they're driving 1-2 hrs to go ride bikes. Love it. Yesterday was one of the funnest slush days I've had in a long time. Almost as good as a good pow day.

**jesski** · 05-13-2019, 04:00 PM

Has anyone been to the Opus hut in the last few weeks?

**The SnowShow** · 05-13-2019, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by shredgnar

Yeah, and everyone I know is so "Over it" that they're driving 1-2 hrs to go ride bikes. Love it. Yesterday was one of the funnest slush days I've had in a long time. Almost as good as a good pow day.

Love it too. Great turns and it was empty today. Peak 7 and Imperial were $$

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**The SnowShow** · 05-14-2019, 07:19 PM

Saw this online..just a bit of snow on top of Indy Pass

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**Name Redacted** · 05-14-2019, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by The SnowShow

Love it too. Great turns and it was empty today. Peak 7 and Imperial were $$

Shit, that reminds me that I should get over to Breck before they close. I think I have close to 80 days at the Basin, skiing mostly one lift. Thanks for reminding me that I still have another option for the next few weeks.

**The SnowShow** · 05-14-2019, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by shredgnar

Shit, that reminds me that I should get over to Breck before they close. I think I have close to 80 days at the Basin, skiing mostly one lift. Thanks for reminding me that I still have another option for the next few weeks.

How do you keep it interesting skiing Molly Hogan for 80 days?

**Name Redacted** · 05-14-2019, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by The SnowShow

How do you keep it interesting skiing Molly Hogan for 80 days?

Switch to the road bra!

**Elkhound Odin** · 05-14-2019, 08:14 PM

What’s a road bra? Does it support the sides?

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**I've seen black diamonds!** · 05-14-2019, 08:38 PM

Anybody out touring today and care to share snowpack observations?

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**Woo-Dus** · 05-15-2019, 06:27 PM

Skied in the James Peak wilderness. Snow was like heavy mash potatoes with the occasional loose wet.

Good day in the alpine even with bad snow.

**Danno** · 05-15-2019, 06:38 PM

Hoping to go skiing on Saturday. Looking like I might get a nice helping of coral reef.

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 05-16-2019, 09:19 AM

Skied Silver Couloir with auvgeek and a non-mag friend. Weak freeze up high, no freeze down low. Skiers left side, which gets more direct sun, was sketchy down low. Sloppy everywhere. Exit was kind of a bitch. Fun day.

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It's a nice long line, but a good bit less steep, I think, than descriptions I've read. Would be fantastic with a few inches of spring pow.

**Name Redacted** · 05-16-2019, 09:43 AM

Should get interested with no real good freeze before this next snow that'll insulate the slush underneath. Lots of wet slides this week.

**Danno** · 05-16-2019, 12:47 PM

From the forecasts I have seen, not a lot of snow is expected, so I was thinking things will freeze. :shrug:

**Danno** · 05-16-2019, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

Skied Silver Couloir with auvgeek and a non-mag friend. Weak freeze up high, no freeze down low. Skiers left side, which gets more direct sun, was sketchy down low. Sloppy everywhere. Exit was kind of a bitch. Fun day.

It's a nice long line, but a good bit less steep, I think, than descriptions I've read. Would be fantastic with a few inches of spring pow.

The exit is always kind of a bitch, but what specifically was the problem?

How steep were you reading? I'd put most of it in the 35 range, maybe a handful of spots higher, but nothing much above 40. That's just going from memory.

There aren't many no-exit couloirs where you describe the snow with "the first 1000' were XXXX, the next 1000' were YYYY, and the last 1000' were ZZZZ". Yeah, it's not gnarly or anything, but it is iconic (with a "c" not a "k").

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 05-16-2019, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

The exit is always kind of a bitch, but what specifically was the problem?

How steep were you reading? I'd put most of it in the 35 range, maybe a handful of spots higher, but nothing much above 40. That's just going from memory.

There aren't many no-exit couloirs where you describe the snow with "the first 1000' were XXXX, the next 1000' were YYYY, and the last 1000' were ZZZZ". Yeah, it's not gnarly or anything, but it is iconic (with a "c" not a "k").

Exit was just rotten, undermined snow in tight trees. Nothing unexpected. Plus lots of competing old tracks, none of which could be trusted, meant GPS was very handy.

I agree with your assessment on pitch. I think it was Brittany and Frank's book that said 40 degree average with max 48.

Still an excellent line. For any former East coast folks, it's a bit like two Hillman's highways stacked in top of each other.

Edit: 40 and 48 are from the Kedrowski book.

**The SnowShow** · 05-16-2019, 02:04 PM

Run-off is on. Saw rafters and kayakers in Clear Creek Canyon today.

**skaredshtles** · 05-16-2019, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

From the forecasts I have seen, not a lot of snow is expected, so I was thinking things will freeze. :shrug:

This. I suspect a hard freeze Friday night will guarantee some quality coral reef skiing on Saturday.

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 05-16-2019, 02:53 PM

^^^ Fingers crossed that the freeze line is low enough to settle things down under 11.5k. Probably won't get much radiative cooling. With all the consecutive days of "possible snow showers" I'm hopeful one or two days will over-deliver and provide some nice soft turns.

**Bronic** · 05-16-2019, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by The SnowShow

Run-off is on. Saw rafters and kayakers in Clear Creek Canyon today.

This^^^^ Got the minimax out on the eagle yesterday for the first time. Whitewater will be $$$ this year...

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 05-17-2019, 11:09 AM

Anybody here ever ski around Lone Eagle Cirque in the Indian Peaks? Thinking about spending 2-3 nights up there soon. Curious what the approach/exit is like, specifically how much you stuck to the trails if traveling on snow. Thanks

**doebedoe** · 05-17-2019, 12:42 PM

Friends and I are thinking of a 2 night / 3 day trip with a base camp in the upcoming week or two. Some place with some mild couloirs or big fun faces would be ideal. Not everyone in the group likes/able to ski gnarly lines. Fitness not a problem. Leaning towards Mt Toll drainage. Other recs within a few hours of the Front Range? Don't mind hauling a sled in for a few days of fun.

**Foggy_Goggles** · 05-17-2019, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by I've seen black diamonds!

Anybody here ever ski around Lone Eagle Cirque in the Indian Peaks? Thinking about spending 2-3 nights up there soon. Curious what the approach/exit is like, specifically how much you stuck to the trails if traveling on snow. Thanks

Monarch Lake>Cascade Creek Trail>Crater Lake Trail

It is an amazing place but it don't come easy

**Foggy_Goggles** · 05-17-2019, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by doebedoe

Friends and I are thinking of a 2 night / 3 day trip with a base camp in the upcoming week or two. Some place with some mild couloirs or big fun faces would be ideal. Not everyone in the group likes/able to ski gnarly lines. Fitness not a problem. Leaning towards Mt Toll drainage. Other recs within a few hours of the Front Range? Don't mind hauling a sled in for a few days of fun.

The Gore. Meadow Creek Trail Head