As if we aren’t lucky enough here in Durango! Already having access to some of the best backcountry skiing, ice climbing, rock climbing, alpine climbing, and wilderness in the country, we now have one of the most technologically advanced physical therapy clinics in the nation! I have recently discovered this gem in my fight with…
Chris’s total domination of the ice continued last weekend with an ascent of Whore House Hoses and more sending at the Ouray Ice Park. First off was the stunning three pitch line of Whorehouse Hoses. Though the other pitches are fun routes in their own right, the stunning first pitch is the main event at…
Last weekend, Eric, Adam, and Morgan joined me for a two day introduction to ice climbing in beautiful Ouray, Colorado. Upon meeting in the morning on Saturday, we geared up and headed into the Ouray Ice Park to begin our lessons. In an area called the “New Funtier,” a lesson on the basic techniques of…
It’s been awhile since we last updated the Blog, but that’s only because we’ve been incredibly busy in the last few weeks with mountaineering courses, ice climbing trips, and avalanche courses! It’s been a great start to the season here in the San Juans, and despite a somewhat slow beginning in terms of snowfall for…
Today we climbed Rumiñahui’s Central peak (15,203) to acclimatize further. Starting at the beautiful Limiopungo lake, the climb took us roughly 4 hours to the summit and only 2 hours back due to some fun shoe skiing down some scree sections. Tonight we are at the Tombopaxi again and tomorrow we will be off to…
Looks like winter is here to stay in the San Juans! A powerful winter storm is set to impact the area starting this Saturday through the middle of next week. 2 + feet of snow is expected for the Southern and Northern San Juans, and the storm is tracking on SW flow. Hopefully this pattern…
Recently our head ski guide Andrew Klotz did some ski touring the in the San Juan high country to get a read on conditions and see how the skiing was shaping up for the season. He’s happy to report that the San Juans, particularly around the Silverton area and in the 550 corridor near Red…
Another beautiful day in the San Juan mountains as Chris joined Ben and I for an ascent of Wham Ridge on Vestal peak. Day one consisted of going over gear in the morning, hopping on the train, and hiking into Vestal basin to set up camp. Day two was the money day. Up at 3:45…
It was off the the Black Canyon to meet Chris for a weekend of slabs, splitters, and runout fun for Ben and I last weekend. Ben and I met Chris at his hotel in Montrose on Sat morning to food shop and get ready for the day’s route. The route we chose was called Ground…
A great weekend of fun in the sun as Chris, a frequent of the winter programs, met us in Moab Utah to warm up a bit. Chris was aiming to refine his rock skills in both face and crack climbing and put those skills together by starting his tower count. Towers, by the way, are…
Join Colorado Wild, Pine Needle Mountaineering and Southwest Adventure Guides for the 2nd Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival In Durango, Colorado. When: Sunday, March 21 – 7:00 pm Where: Smiley Theater – 1309 E. Third Ave, Durango, CO How: Advance Tickets At Pine Needle Mountaineering: $10 Adults, $8 Students, or at the Door: $15 Adults,…
Check out these videos of backcountry skiing and avalanche coursework in the San Juans with our guides and instructors. The footage is provided by our friends at IDTV and thanks to our sponsors RAB, Osprey, and BCA!
Though snow conditions were tough, Dana and I still had a great Introduction to winter mountaineering course this last weekend. Day one consisted of Dana slaying it on the vertical ice of Cascade Canyon where he learned the basics of belaying, rope work, and climbing techniques. Day two we made our way to over 11,000…
This last weekend’s Level 1 AIARE avalanche course was a huge success. The recent storm that rocked Southwest Colorado and the San Juan Mountains left us a great snowpack to play with during this course. After our classroom day of great learning, we ventured up toward Cascade Canyon north of Durango Mountain Resort to practice…
Last weekend’s Level 1 Avalanche course was a huge success. We had numerous folks from around the four corners come for three days of avalanche education. The weather was beautiful with some cold mornings and clear, blue sky days to make for a educational and enjoyable course. After the first day of learning in the…
The Southwest Adventure Guides ski posse had a great time exploring the skiing conditions in the alpine. This was organized as an intentional opportunity to share tricks of the trade while getting out and enjoying the skiing of the San Juans. We all met in Silverton for our guides meeting over coffee, and then carpooled…
Last week’s AIARE Level 1 Avalanche course was a huge success. Four motivated individuals came out mid-week to improve their avalanche knowledge and skills. There was a great mix of experience levels in the group including a professional skier, a competitive park rider, a recreational snowboarder, and a mountaineer. During the course, we had an…
The end of the year brought snow, cold, and another successful winter mountaineering course in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Six aspiring mountaineers from Chicago to Texas to Colorado are now ready for bigger, bolder, and more committing climbs after successfully completing our four day Introduction to Winter Mountaineering course. Day one consisted…
A spell of high pressure in December means it’s time to get high in the back country. Mark U. and I warmed up on the East side of McMillan and found virgin powder. Me donning Black Diamond Verdicts and Mark on his K2 Coombas, we floated down Northeast facing slopes towards Cement Creek. Day two…
December has been a great month for snow, especially in the Southern San Juans between Coal Bank and Red Mountain Passes. More great news for ski conditions in the high country. Check out this storm profile! A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST WEDNESDAY. * PERIODS OF SNOW… HEAVY AT TIMES……