November "Turns" /  by Dani Perrot

We were able to get all the way up to Emerald Lake in Tyndall Gorge yesterday...snow cover is pretty thin, and what's there is classic CO early season windslab. Speaking of wind, it was howling probably around 30 mph, with gusts around 60 mph. Very intense.

We dug a quick pit on a N-NE facing 28 degree slope. Snowpack was 131 cm deep, with depth hoar from 0-20 cm and stiff windslab from 20-131 cm (1F hardness). During CT, fracture during column isolation at 20 cm. Nothing unexpected, just good to see for ourselves. Snow depth in general was highly variable due to wind redistribution. 

Got a few "turns" in on the way out, and most importantly: no broken bones and no core shots! November backcountry skiing success.

11 | 09 | 14: Boulder Skyline Traverse /  by Dani Perrot

The major peaks outside Boulder along the first scarp of the Front Range that make up the Boulder Skyline Traverse. We ran south-north (or left to right, in this photo).

The major peaks outside Boulder along the first scarp of the Front Range that make up the Boulder Skyline Traverse. We ran south-north (or left to right, in this photo).

Wahoo! We did the Boulder Skyline Traverse just before a decent sized snow storm hit Boulder and iced up all of the trails. I am not sure of the exact distance, but from the S. Mesa Trailhead working our way north, we hiked and ran up and over S. Boulder Peak, Bear Peak, Green Mountain, Flagstaff Mt., and Mt. Sanitas, and finished by taking trails and pavement back to our doorstep. I think it's somewhere around 17 or 18 with somewhere around 6,000 ft of vertical ascent. Jiking, it took us around 7.5 hrs. Off the couch, I'd say that's pretty decent. 


Update on Boulder trails... /  by Dani Perrot

They rock! Below are a few photos from two long runs we did to help Dierker prepare for helping pace his Dad in the Tunnel Hill 100. 

-Walker Ranch Lollipop Loop from Eldorado Canyon (a very hilly and unrelenting 14 miles): http://www.protrails.com/trail/68/boulder-denver-golden-fort-collins-lyons-eldorado-canyon-walker-ranch-lollipop-loop

-Doudy Draw to Eldorado Canyon to Rattlesnack Gulch Loop, back to Doudy Draw (somewhere around 14 miles?)