TR: Two weeks in Silverton [NSFD]

Spent the last two weeks in the Silverton area and had great string of days. As the title suggests, this TR is not safe for dial up.

Arrived to a nice sunset in Durango and drove up to purg for a warm up day catskiing.
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1905.jpg

Cat day was a good warm up. Definitely not gnar, but lots of runs (short) and nice guides to spend a day with. Highlight was probably riding for 20 minutes to the cat in this device
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1913.jpg

A shot of the terrain we were cruising
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1925.jpg

Next day up to Silverton to ski the area for the first time since the last storm had dropped some fresh.
View from the top of the lift with a future objective in the background
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1973.jpg

Warren from Idaho ripping up Raff (sound off if you're on here)
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1936.jpg

Looking back up after run two
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1937.jpg

And then Jacks Ol Twat was ready to drive us back to the lift
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1940.jpg

Then the heli came out and took us atop the Grande
[video pending]
http://www.vimeo.com/8514355 Heli to the Grande - Silverton, CO on Vimeo
http://www.vimeo.com/8514355

One of the dudes I went up with on the Grande
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1969.jpg

Looking back up
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1970.jpg

Cool shot of the Heli landing on Butterbowl
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...i_Panorama.jpg

The next morning I drove a buddy down to Durango to fly out. Low light in the Silverton area makes for very pretty images. A few:
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_1947.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u.../IMG_2010a.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_2023.jpg


Later that day I hooked up with a crew down from Telluride heading over (with mechanical assistence) to Meatball (the center couloir below)
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9441.jpg
Didn't have the camera this day, still hoping the Telluride crew sends over some pics. Rob, hook it up if you see this! The couloir was pretty much survival, but as soon as it widened out the apron was some of the best turns of the trip.

The next day I was able to hook up with a buddy, ML, who I'd met by chance this summer in LL, of all places.
He had a friend in town and took the 2 of us and her pup out for a short tour on Red Mountain pass. (From here on, any pictures of 1TN1 should be credited to ML)
up:
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_2031.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9355.jpg

My first appearence in this TR
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...G_9357copy.jpg

ML coming down the first pitch
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u.../IMG_2032a.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_2036.jpg

and back down to the road (switch, obviously)
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9363.jpg

New year's eve brought some snow to the area and ML and I made it out for an afternoon tour in Georgia Gulch across the road from the ski area.
view from the truck
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9366.jpg

Headin up
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u.../MIMG_9367.jpg

The snow came down hard the whole way up. By the time we started descending, the light was low, and the snow was DEEP.
I think this picture is a flash away from being really awesome (I am in it)
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...MIMG_93676.jpg

ML, with flash on
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9373.jpg

This next sequence ended in ~10 consecutive chest deep turns, probably the best of the trip. Racing a bit of sluff to keep things interesting, and flying down in the low and lowering light.
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...MIMG_93678.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...MIMG_93679.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...IMG_936710.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...IMG_936711.jpg

And ML back down to the truck (i think he rode forwards)
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9381.jpg
Great way to end 2009.

The following day (1/1) broke blue, and I woke up to this beautiful view from the ultra lux triangle motel
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9385.jpg

A bit of a late start, but still got up to the top of the lift to see this:
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9387.jpg

Decided to start with a hike up to Pope Face
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9378.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9442.jpg

Thank you rope.
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9383.jpg

A much needed break at the top
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...ofpopeface.jpg

Cover shot
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...IMG_9385-1.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u.../IMG_9386a.jpg

Cool sequence shot
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...TNSequence.jpg

ML on the ridge
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9469.jpg

Really fun day. At some point this guy showed up and all had a good laugh
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9438.jpg

And the final day of my Silverton adventure was another nice tour with ML, Dug, and Alex + Falicia from Taos. It snowed on and off for most of the day
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9498.jpg

Sometimes the sun would poke through
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9401.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9370.jpg

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9502.jpg

We found that some aspects had gotten baked the day before, but were still able to find a couple of nice routes down in great snow
Alex sending it
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9511.jpg

ML's powderface
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u.../IMG_9513a.jpg

and one more of yours truly
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u.../IMG_9414a.jpg

and a pretty one to end on
http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u...0/IMG_9494.jpg

Overall it was a unbelievable trip. Great skiing at the area and in the BC, and really nice people to spend the time with. Big thanks goes out to the entire crew out in Silverton making it happen - see you all again soon

1TN1

This is the coolest Silverton TR that I've seen on here. :yourock:

sweet TR. we were there the day after xmas and liked it so much we're going back later this month :)

Great shots...it is the coolest

looks like an amazing time

That must've took awhile to put together :yourock: :yourock:

awesome!!
thanks for heli-stoke :)

Thanks 4 the stoke!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fastfroggy

sweet TR. we were there the day after xmas and liked it so much we're going back later this month :)

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what were you wearing? who skiing with?

i was up there that day...

Awesome stoke!

was there with corien and npg.

good tr, awesome trip.

sick! so stoked to be there in 5 days!

SWEET! Have splitter to pic up down there ASAP. Might have to make a trek...

Nice TR. The base looks solid!

On a side note, does anyone know if the Silverton Inn & Hostel is still running? I stayed there last year and enjoyed it, (the price, especially) and am trying to get in touch with them for another stay this week. However, their phone numbers seem inactive. Not looking good!

edit: I answered my own question via another motel owner in town. Apparently the former caretaker attempted to burn the place down! So, not operational.

NICE! THanks

Oh, hell yeah. I needed that hella heli-stoke ride with the back seat view.

Love the oohs and ahhhs when you cleared the ridge. heh.

Looks like a great trip!!!!

http://i630.photobucket.com/albums/u.../IMG_2032a.jpg

no way, i think i'd remember if that was me.....

sick TR dude.

Cool TR! Amazing what you can do while stranded in an airport ;)
Give a shout next time you are in the area
-Alex

SICK TR!! Way to bring the stoke buddy!

The only thing I have to comment on is the sickness of the the triangle motel. Not sure if I am using sickness literally or in the hip-sense, but I did spend some quality nights between those paper thin walls

Sweet Heli Stoke.:yourock: Great Pics. Thanks for taking the time to put that up! I am jealous. Now I'm sad 'cause I won't be @ Silverton this year :fuckyou: