Ski Mountaineering Course Was A Success

SheJumps Ski Mountaineering Course

Crested Butte, CO

April 2-5, 2015

Written by Allison Seymour

SheJumps Rockies put together a ladies only Ski Mountaineering course for advanced skiers to take their backcountry skiing to the next level in beautiful Crested Butte, Colorado!

During the four day progression the course covered fundamental mountaineering skills, ski anchors, knots and rope skills within a small, friendly group dynamic. Each day consisted of multiple hours of skinning and skill work, followed by spectacular views and sunny spring turns.

Here’s my brief summary of each day:

Thursday, April 2:

1. Met at Irwin Guides office in CB

2. Weather day

3. Meet and greet: Brooke, Christina, Allison and our guide, Evan

4. Gear overview

5. Skied up in Evan’s Basin for some skill work

6. Practiced self-arresting

7. Worked on T-trench/Dead Man’s anchor

8. Rappelled on munter hitch

9. Skiing!

Friday, April 3:

1. Ski Gothic Mtn from Washington Gulch Road closure

2. Ascend Southeast side up gully south of the Spoon

3. Descend West side

4. Fun, long descent back to road

Saturday April 4:

1. Snow machines up Kebler Pass Road to Irwin

2. Skied into Ruby/Owen zone

3. Skied north side of Owen via southeast ridge

4. Steep, narrow chute off the ridge

5. Christina got caught in the variable snow and tore her ACL

6. Sled rescue directed by our awesome guide, Evan

7. She’s going to be fine, but will delay the start of her mountain bike season

Sunday, April 5:

1. Skied The Shield off Scarps Ridge

2. Mellow, non technical approach from the South to Scarps Ridge

3. Descend the north side into the Oh-Be-Joyful drainage

4. Warm spring weather

Thanks:

Irwin Guides, especially Evan Ross

Jumpers: Brooke and Christina

Xavier Fane Photography

#avatech #colorado #spring #crestedbutte #skiingampsnowboarding #ecolips #rockies #skimountaineering #outdooreducation