Might want a guide anyway

Last month Silverton Mountain finally got what it's been looking for since it opened: official status. The steeper than steep expert nutbag ski area in the San Juans was granted a 40-year permit by the BLM, which opens up unguided skiing starting in April.
Until then, the old system of a guide and six customers applies. But thankfully, with only double black diamond runs with some going through narrow rock chutes and into serious avalanche terrain, the guide service will be around after April too.
I've never been to Silverton and hope to get down there this year. I think I'll stick with the guide.
But for all those guys who don't flinch at a 100-centimeter-wide couloir descent, and know how to dig a buddy out from under 8 feet of snow, good news: unguided tickets should be a lot cheaper than the $130 per day lift ticket price in place now.
Has anyone checked out Silverton? What shouldn't be missed?
-Dave

Stay Safe 101

Leave it to Mountain Chalet to make us smarter. The downtown outdoor shop is starting up its series of free classes again. Up first: "Avalanche Awareness 101," at 7 p.m. Thursday at the shop, 226 N. Tejon St., in Colorado Springs. SFC Shawn Connor, a master trainer with the 10th Special Forces at Fort Carson, will offer advice on gear and equipment for the backcountry, along with tips on recognizing terrain traps and wind loading, and safe route selection. Watch The Gazette's Out There section (www.gazette.com) for previews.

Finally.....

The big resorts are starting to open. Keystone and Breckenridge both fire up the lifts Friday Morning. Their coverage is, shall we say, less than inspiring, but what can you expect when it's 70 degrees and sunny on the Front Range. But there's a chance of snow tomorrow and Saturday, so things can only get better.
If you have a season pass, hit Breck first for their pancake breakfast. Ski a few runs, then zoom over to Keystone, where the gimmick this year is wearing prom tuxes and dresses for the inaugural run.
Check out the slopes here:
Breck
Keystone

Now what do we do about the Texas tuck?

A ski instructor in Canada has come up with a device that gives learning skiers an auditory warning if they're using improper form. The Ski Coach is worn like a Camelbak. Ball bearings in the backpack make a satisfying "clink" if the skier is taking the turns right, but make no noise if the skier is leaning too much into a curve.
The Ski Coach, $49.95, is sold exclusively on www.theskicoach.com.

This doesn't correct the "sit-against-the-back-of-the-boot-oh-my-god-y'all" Texas tuck. For that, I think Ski Coach should make a new product.
It should include a shock collar.

-Dave

If the shoe fits...

Timberland, the unlikely ghetto fabulous/lumberjack boot company just bought Colorado's SmartWool for $82 million.
I'm not sheepish about how much I love itch-free, stink-free, cozy SmartWool, and only hope the new deal doesn't change the quality of the product. That would be Ba-a-a-a-ad.

Welcome to the Jungle

Friday in Out There we'll tell you how to bust up the algae party going on in your Camelbak tube, plus give you other easy gear fixes for the end of the warm weather season.

Speaking of the end of warm weather, I talked to a guy from Breck ski patrol yesterday about the avalanche that killed one man up near Winter Park Sunday. He said the central mountains are covered with slides right now. Here's what happened: We got that big dump of snow in October. Then it got nice and warm for a few weeks and the snow would melt every day and freeze again at night until in became as solid as the grille on an Abrams Tank. Then a foot of new snow fell on that slick, solid surface. The outcome: instant slab avalanches at the slightest touch.
So what do we do? Wait. Slowly the snow will start to bond together. Although Avi-techs will tell you, a weak layer like that can persist until the spring thaw, so be careful.
-Dave

Get your gear on

OK, we know you probably don't take the kitchen sink when you head out for an adventure. But if you understand the concept of gear for all occasions, you might be the Greatest Gearhead. If you think you deserve that title, we want to know. After all, we understand the importance of gear - lots and lots of gear. So we're looking for the Gearhead to top all Gearheads. You can nominate yourself or a friend or family member for this title. The winner will be featured in a story in the Out There section of The Gazette and will receive prizes. To enter, send the Gearhead's name, address and telephone numbers along with 100 words or fewer that tell us why he or she should win, to: Greatest Gearhead, Out There/Newsroom, The Gazette, P.O. Box 1779 Colorado Springs, CO 80901, or e-mail deb.acord@gazette.com Entry deadline is Nov. 18. - Deb

The people have spoken...

and basically, Colorado ski resorts rule.
SKI Magazine's readers ranked Vail no. 1
Snowmass no. 3 and Beaver Creek no. 4.

Personally, I don't think "the people" know what the hell they're talking about, because they rank Aspen Mountain, perhaps the most poorly planned resort in the Rockies, as no. 7, while glorious Copper Mountain doesn't even break the top 20.

I'm always asked and always dodge the question, but for the rest of you, what's the best mountain in Colorado? - Dave

Wet Mountains road trip

While I was looking for what has been promised to be the state's newest ski area, I discovered a great road trip that's my favorite kind - a loop (way more interesting than out-and-back). From Colorado Springs, take Colorado 115 to Penrose, then right on U.S. Highway 50 west toward Canon City. Turn left onto Colorado Highway 67 and drive through Florence; at Wetmore, take Colorado 95 to McKenzie Junction. Turn left on Colorado 165 and head south, turn left on Colorado 78 (unpaved but OK for a passenger car) through Beulah all the way to Pueblo, where you can pick up I-25 and head back home.
This is a great tour of the Wet Mountains, with roads that twist and turn, dozens of trailheads just off the road and an obligatory stop at the bizarre Bishop's Castle. Note: In the winter, that little leg from 165 to Beulah isn't plowed, so save this trip for a sunny, snow-free day. - Deb

(Above, a trail at Pueblo Mountain Park in the Wet Mountains)

Looking for Aspen Country

The opening of a new ski resort in Colorado is a rare event. When I heard of just such a rarity in the Wet Mountains, I had to check it out.
News reports have said that Terry Cook, a Wetmore-area resident, was turning a 57-acre parcel of land into the area that he calls Aspen Country Mountain Park. It will have a double chairlift, a snow groomer and eight or nine runs for beginners and intermediates.
For weeks, I've been trying to contact Cook, and last weekend, I even set out to find this phantom ski area. I did find the road - a forest road off Colorado Highway 165 just north of Bishop's Castle - and I found what looked like a disassembled ski lift, but I've had no luck finding Cook. An Associated Press story said the area was set to open in December. Here's what it looks like now. - Deb

A quick snow...

If you slept in on Saturday, you missed a very hard, very brief snow. I had gone to volunteer for some trail work at Garden of the Gods. The snow cancelled the volunteer day, so I spent a few hours strolling through the abandoned, snow covered park. How glorious!
And up in the high country, places like Summit County got a foot of snow. That should help Keystone and Breck when they open in the next few weeks.
-Dave

Year's first avalanche death

Sam Teetzen was snowboarding just east of Berthoud Pass Sunday when he set off a large snow slide that buried and killed him and his dog. Seems pretty early for avalanches. The NFL isn't even to the playoffs yet, but this early season snow can be very tricky. It has no base to attach to. Often, it slides all the way down to the dirt.

Here's the take from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center from yesterday afternoon:
"This morning, there were several sizable avalanches on Berthoud Pass, in the Mines Paths. At least one person was caught and killed. The second slide was triggered by a group responding to the first. The slides were three feet deep and ran about 1500 vertical feet. The paths are north and several forecasters are on the Pass, and will provide details as soon as possible.

"Westerly winds have turned yesterday's powder into an avalanche problem. The snow has been loaded onto a shallow, weak snowpack. It's like stacking 2 x 4s on top of Dixie cups?you can do it, carefully, but it doesn't take much to topple your stack. Compounding the problem is that these stacks may be the only place to ski or ride, and an early season thought pattern. The wind and sun has stripped snow off many places, reducing choices of places to go. Really pay attention to the terrain, because if there is enough snow to keep you off the ground, there is enough snow to slide. Do not your early season eagerness, and the thought "there's not much snow," short circuit your avalanche awareness. Poke, prod, and test the snow frequently. Avoid being on or below steep slopes and wind pillows. Use your inclinometer. It is good to re-calibrate your eye at the beginning of every season. Travel safely, exposing only one member of your party at a time."

-Dave

Rampart Range Trails

Reader Jason D. wrote in to say: I recently moved to the area and just yesterday took Rampart Range Road from Garden of the Gods to Rampart Reservoir. Upon arriving and discovering the kayak sitting on top of my Jeep was worthless due to the closing of the reservoir to boat in Oct. I decided to find some trails running off the road. I was very disappointed to not find any. With the amazing views from the north side of the range it is truly a shame there are not more (or any) trails running in this area. Am I wrong? Did I miss them?

Well, sorry, yes.
Rampart Res. has a classic running trail going around the shore. It's also a good mountain bike ride.
Rampart doesn't have many great trails, but you can also tap into Waldo Canyon from above if you know where to look. (On this map they call it the RRR.)
Finally, if you don't mind walking right by the shooting range, you can drop down into Williams Canyon for an awesome hike.

Anyone new to the area should pick up a copy of the Pikes Peak Atlas. It's got enough trails to keep you busy for years. -Dave

Oh deer,

Apparently, this is the time of year when most deer/car collisions happen. And those deer rarely go under the tires, they go into the windshield. Somethimes through the windshield. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 200 people die annually in deer/vehicle crashes.
So, according to the Humane Society, here is what you can do to not kill Bambi or his mom.
1. Slow down: it gives you and the deer more time to react. The magic number seems to be 45 mph or below.
2. Pay attention: deer cross the road in pretty much the same place every day. You saw them there yesterday, you'll see them there again tomorrow. Be ready.
-Dave

What's with this wind

85 mph gusts on Thursday. Trucks, trees, and trash cans knocked over all around the city. Slate tiles flying off roofs. And here's the thing: The oak in my yard has not lost a single leaf. Very, very strange.
Welcome to those of you checking out our blog for the first time. We'll have regular updates of what's coming up in Out There, and what's going on in the outdoor world.
On this beautiful and crisp fall day, I'm sneaking out of the newsroom to track down the next Happy Trails: Puma Peak near Wilkerson Pass. Check back Monday for photos of the trip. - Dave

Copper opens Friday

Copper Mountain has a 20-inch base and two runs, Rhapsody and Main Vein, open and ready to go. Tickets aren't cheap, $48 until Dec. 16 when they go up to $76, but I know a lot of you cashed in on the bargain Copper Mountain season pass, so you might as well get your money's worth.
Check out the slopes on the Copper Mountain cam and the resort cam.
- Dave

On off-road

The U.S. Forest Service announced Wednesday that local managers would now decide where visitors can use off-road vehicles. That was nothing new for the Pikes Peak District, which has been operating on that kind of plan since 1990. Among its most popular off-road areas: trail 717, a behemoth that crisscrosses the forest for more than 60 miles west of Divide and north of Woodland Park (see rock towers from there at left). What do you think about the current management of trails like this one? Is it working? Are there enough trails for off-roaders and enough for those who explore the forest on bikes or on foot? If you're a hiker, do you avoid off-road areas like 717? E-mail your comments to deb.acord@gazette.com
- Deb

Gold Camp Road opening? Not so fast...

I guess it was only a matter of time before the decision by the U.S. Forest Service to open Upper Gold Camp Road would be appealed. The Gazette reported today that a group of property owners and non-profits moved to stop the opening of the 8.5-mile road that has been closed since 1988.

No one opposed to opening the road will come out and say it, but I think they are afraid the move would attract what I once heard a long-time outdoor guy in town refer to as "bad hombres."
The "bad hombre," he said, is a peripheral member of society who uses the region's mountain roads for drunk driving, target shooting, and major appliance abandonment. The best of these guys are able to combine all three elements in one outing. He said you can already find these guys on Old Stage Road and Rampart Range Road, and occasionally on Lower Gold Camp. And the amount of old washers and bullet-riddled signs on these roads certainly backs up his observations.
Would the Bad Hombres ply their trades on Upper G. C. as well? Maybe so.
But right now the opposition is talking about "safety" and "cost" and no one has uttered the B.H. words. Maybe they're concerned it would make them look like bigots.
Strangely, at the same time talk is swirling about opening Upper G. C. the folks at the Pike National Forest are busy erecting burly steel gates to block off other roads in areas trashed by the B. H. such as Emerald Valley.
Rangers in the Pike National Forest have told me they are blocking off these areas because they don't have the staff to patrol them and without ranger super vision, the areas are being ruined.
Why open a long swath of road at the same time you are closing off several others? Well, it doesn't seem like Pike National Forest really plans to open Upper G.C. Rangers have said the area doesn't have the money. So this whole plan may just be a way to follow regulations while not doing anything.
Good news for hikers. Not so good for the Bad Hombres, if they really exist. - Dave

The Wild west side.

Bob Gelow, a reader who lives near Bear Creek Park, sent in scenes from jousting bucks that are squaring off in his yard.He wrote to say "I have lived in this house for the past 5 years, and during that time we have had daily visits from the deer spring through fall. I believe they tend to stay higher up in the foothills during winter. Two years ago a doe gave birth to triplets in our back yard where our property meets the pasture along Bear Creek Park (attached below). They were very comfortable around us and stayed there until late summer when the fawns were ready to head out into the world. When we saw the three bucks this year in the yard at different times, we hoped it was the three fawns coming back to visit"
I've noticed the deer are getting a bit complacent in that area of town. Maybe they don't know suburban mountain lions are also prowling the 'hood. Although, it seems, those cats appear to prefer to dine on doggies.

Speaking of the wild west side, I was mountain biking with photographer Christian Murdock in Stratton Open Space yesterday afternoon and came around a corner in the oak brush to see a large house cat sitting in the middle of the trail. Then I noticed the tufts on the ears and realized it was a bob cat! After years on the trails, it's the first time I've ever seen the little bob-tailed critter. In a few seconds, he was gone. How long will I have to wait before I cross paths with one again? - Dave

Can you hear me now?

The National Park Service recently released new policy guidelines that would increase cell phone coverage in its 388 parks and monuments, as well as let in Segways.

The plan has caught a lot of flak from senators on both sides of the aisle, but really, what difference does it make? Yellowstone already has several cell towers, and with the amount of huge RVs on the road, is a Segway really that big of a deal?

More troubling are provisions to ease restrictions on noise and air pollution.

Sen. Ken Salazar told the press, ''Frankly, we don't understand what the true motivation was," suggesting he thinks small exceptions for the Segway might be a Trojan horse for more sensitive issues like letting snowmobiles and ATVs into some parks.

The cell phone crowd, or course, is tickled. I found a press release from June gushing about how more coverage would make the backcountry safer. Maybe so, but I can't help thinking something will be lost. - Dave