Springtime in Alaska

As you may or may not know, the springtime in Alaska is an amazing time for adventures in the mountains.  From skiing the huge slopes around Valdez to climbing the classics in Denali National Park.  Every year the Colorado Mountain School offers expeditions to Alaska.  Below are two that you should consider.

Ham & Eggs Climb

Mooses Tooth, V, 5.9 AI4

One of the 50 classic climbs, Ham and Eggs is a must do for any alpinist.  The ideal season is mid/late April to early/mid May.  Currently we have a trip scheduled for early May.  We'd love for you to join our existing trip or create your own private expedition to Alaska. Give us a call and we can discuss the dates that work best for you.  Click here for more information and click here to read a great article about Ham and Eggs written in Climbing Magazine.

Valdez Heli-ski  Mountaineering

Heli-skiing by itself is amazing but can be uber expensive and many times you can be stuck in the hotel waiting out the weather so the helicopter can fly.  Our trip is much more affordable and flexible to insure great skiing and a learning experience while in AK.  Our trip has a ski touring base with a heli drop added in.  With ski touring, we aren't grounded when the helicopters aren't flying.  Click here for more information.


We'd love for you to join either one of these trips.  Call today if you have any questions or to get registered.

Take care,
E.J. Nogaski
Expedition Manager
Colorado Mountain School
800-836-4008 x3

Intro to Backcountry Skiing: January 28th, 2011

As January wrapped up, a high pressure system moved through the Colorado Front Range.  This set up a perfect day to ski tour through Rocky Mountain National Park with Colorado Mountain School guests, The Bray’s. 

Our goals for the Introduction to Back Country Skiing Course were efficient uphill travel techniques, avalanche safety and a beautiful ski tour.  We started the day focusing on gentle ways to turn switchbacks while focusing on movement skills as well as kick turning in steeper terrain.  

We traveled up to the timberline zone and found some test slopes. Our goal was to find out some more observations in the snowpack.  We dug a few pits finding layers, rating the hardness of those layers and discussing some snowpack tests.

Based on all of the observations throughout the day, we decided to not push into the alpine zone and stick with some of the great powder stashes below tree line. After finding some fun introductory lines we made a pleasant ski descent through the glades back to the parking area. At the end of the day, we took advantage of the moderate temps and remaining sunlight to practice some companion rescue with avalanche transceivers .

We had a great time skiing in the beautiful position of Rocky Mountain National Park.  Thanks to the Bray’s for sharing the day with me and I look forward to getting out with you again soon.

If your interested in backcountry skiing, avalanche education or ski mountaineering, join one of CMS's programs this winter. 

Hope to see you in the backcountry,

Joey Thompson

CMS Guide

jthompson@totalclimbing.com

www.totalclimbing.com