Eleven. Eleven. Oh Four

**iskibc** · 11-11-2004, 07:18 PM

Berthoud Dawn Patrol
11.11.04
SheRa, Z, iskibc, Wahamma

Well, the day started out just like any other with the sound of snow crunching underfoot and the morning light slowly peeking over the mountaintops. We began hiking in darkness and saw first light of the day somewhere around midway through our hike. Fresh snow and no tracks in sight made the mind wonder and the anticipation spike.

Scenery on the way up:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0174.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0201.jpg

Bad karma was sitting on my shoulder today and kept stabbing me in the side as a reminder. Snagged a tip on the tip of a small tree and tomahawked down the slope for several feet.

About to go over the handlebars:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0203.jpg

Seconds later as I gripped my skis I noticed a good stream of blood running down the finger tips of my gloves and pouring onto the ground. It's been a couple years since I've had my edges sharpened. Last week I brought 'em into the shop and got them pampered. Let's just say it wasn't a pretty sight when I ran my hand down one of the edges as I picked the ski up out of the snow. After figuring out where the blood was coming from, I quickly pulled out my med kit and started going to work on the wound. Several gauze pads and still flowing hard. Wahamma hiked up about 30 yards and helped with the bandaging. Quite a bit of blood loss, but we got it to clot after a few minutes.

So, I go to click into my bindings and I notice that my right AT boot is missing the "ski/walk" lever. Fack! One thing after another, but sooner or later I figured something good would come our way.

Approaching the top of our run:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0205.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0206.jpg

After a few turns in light blower things started to brighten up. We took 4 laps before SheRa and Wahamma had to bail.

I asked Z if he was up for a long hike and he was down. We traveled far and about and found some really deep pow for the taking.

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0209.jpg

Z:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0207.jpg

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...cs/Cnv0210.jpg

The bad happenings of earlier were quickly erased and we found ourselves immersed in some of Colorado's finest. A couple thousand feet in vert and many grins later we found ourselves tired and exhausted from the early day.

Overall, not a bad day considering the way it started. It was great meeting another new maggot and always a fun time skiing with some old friends. See you all up there soon again.

**Pinner** · 11-11-2004, 07:25 PM

Berthoud Pass is a bad muthafukka!

For the first ten years I skied there, every single trip included either broken gear, broken bodies or both. I have special places up there, like "This is where I stomped my elbow while photslutting over Sentinel," or "That's where a tree branch grabbed me and tossed me into Skull Bite," or "Here's where Jim blew the toe piece right off his binding and had to ski the 80's on one ski," or "That's the trailhead where I broke my nose on the last turn of a moonlight kick." http://tetongravity.com/ubb/icons/icon8.gif

Nicely done, y'all!

**Trackhead** · 11-11-2004, 07:25 PM

Nice terrain. Looks like a good day.

I might have had some bad Karma too. I skied half the day with a busted top buckle on my AT boots, with just the velcro strap for a buckle. Like skiing in sandals all day.

**Pinner** · 11-11-2004, 07:26 PM

Let me guess... you guys are using Garmonts?

**iskibc** · 11-11-2004, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Pinner

Berthoud Pass is a bad muthafukka!

For the first ten years I skied there, every single trip included either broken gear, broken bodies or both. I have special places up there, like "This is where I stomped my elbow while photslutting over Sentinel," or "That's where a tree branch grabbed me and tossed me into Skull Bite," or "Here's where Jim blew the toe piece right off his binding and had to ski the 80's on one ski," or "That's the trailhead where I broke my nose on the last turn of a moonlight kick." http://tetongravity.com/ubb/icons/icon8.gif

Nicely done, y'all!

Heh. Funny stuff pinner. Tree branch into skull bite sounds like a doosy. Yeah, now that I think of it Bert has taken it's toll on me over the past several years. I guess you have to give some to git sum

Garmonts, no. Lowa Strukturas. Glanced at their warranty policy this evening and it looks like I at least have a fighting chance to get a new set of boots or at least a free repair. Bought them 4 months ago from STP at a super bargain deal, but they've been used quite a bit since then.

**divegirl** · 11-11-2004, 07:51 PM

AAAHHHHHHHHH!! Jealous!!!!! Thanks for the stoke. Lovely pictures.

<--- my version of the finger moustache

Z · 11-11-2004, 09:31 PM

Ahhh what a day...glad that pic of you came out good, im not so great with the camera...

thanks for waiting up for me on that hike, some of the best snow ive skied in a while

**Trackhead** · 11-11-2004, 09:37 PM

Seven seasons on these and one broken buckle during that time. Still have the same liners too. Granted they are a bit worn out.

Old school Scarpa AT boots.

http://fritzrips.com/v-web/gallery/a...mber04/9_G.jpg

**splat** · 11-11-2004, 09:40 PM

cool. love those mountians covered in white like that.

**Karl Stall** · 11-11-2004, 09:44 PM

Man, I want some of that soon...

[serenity now serenity now]

**shamrockpow** · 11-11-2004, 10:32 PM

Awesome trip report and great colors on the photos. Especially the first couple are really just alive and pushing off the page. Nicely done (and you'll always have those carnage shots if certain people ever try and git "uppity")

**iskibc** · 11-12-2004, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Trackhead

Seven seasons on these and one broken buckle during that time. Still have the same liners too. Granted they are a bit worn out.

Old school Scarpa AT boots.

http://fritzrips.com/v-web/gallery/a...mber04/9_G.jpg

Yeah, Scarpa makes bomber boots. I've had these Lowas for only 4 months and the vibram on both soles have delamed, the ski/walk lever has broken off. Just got off the phone with Lowa and it looks like I'm going to get a new pair.

**Cornholio** · 11-12-2004, 11:01 AM

Nice report! Glad you're getting your boots hooked up, though. Props to Lowa, huh?

**climb2ski** · 11-12-2004, 11:05 AM

Nice TR. I went this morning with HomerJay and skied the east side. It was nice. Though I was 7 minutes late for my meeting. Who is going early Saturday?

**FiveLarge** · 11-12-2004, 10:20 PM

Thanks for the TR.

I FINALLY got out for my first bc day this winter yesterday. A couple laps in Butler Gulch. Snow was very nice and coverage really good. Only brushed a couple of small rocks lightly, no real damage.

How did you find (or have been finding since you're up there regularly) coverage to be at Berthoud? I know you clipped that tip of a tree branch something rather, and I realize that could happen anywhere...but generally speaking, how would you say it is? I've heard it's more toothy in comparison to Butler, but also realize it could've just been specific spots.

Anyone is welcome to chime in...