Last winter (2022) when Larry and I (Stella) were in Crested Butte, we discussed purchasing a different type of cross-country ski. We wanted skis that were much wider and possessed more float to provide a better experience while backcountry skiing in really deep snow and on hills. We had researched three different companies that manufacture … Continue reading Madshus Panorama M78
Winter starts now! In the blink of an eye winter has evolved from sparse snowfall across the western states to an abundance of wonderful powder everywhere. Welcome to my annual reminder about Backcountry Avalanche Awareness. I am no expert on the subject, but my wife and I are aways eager to traverse wilderness terrain in … Continue reading Backcountry Avalanche Awareness 2021/2022
By Stella J. Raasch What comes to mind when you think of the great outdoors? Initially, you may think of the classic John Candy movie, "The Great Outdoors." Next, your thoughts will likely gravitate toward notions of open space, fresh air, beautiful surroundings…and trash! Since the advent of COVID, flocks of people have migrated to … Continue reading Responsible Outdoor Recreation: Leave No Trace
Stella and I snowshoed the Monarch Lake Loop and ventured up the Crater Lake Trail in the Indian Peaks Wilderness just before the big snowstorm took hold over the weekend of March 13th.
Well everyone… we came back. I whined, moaned, pouted, and bargained to extend our Jackson Hole: Winter Paradise Take II. But Larry said we had to come home. Actually, what he said was, "Stella, someone has to be the adult around here." Hmmm… Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to just leave everything … Continue reading JACKSON HOLE: WINTER PARADISE TAKE II
Winter in the Never Summer Range as seen from Fairview Curve in Rocky Mountain National Park. Stella and I skied to Fairview Curve on Sunday breaking trail for over a mile to the curve, our ultimate goal is to make it to Milner Pass and the continental divide.
It is patently obvious the 2020/2021 winter will be vastly different than the start of the 2019 season. We all know how the season came to an end in March 2020 with the closure of all ski resorts across the country as they succumbed to the pandemic. While we still continue to battle the pandemic … Continue reading Backcountry Avalanche Awareness Vol. 2
