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:
Met at Irwin Guides office in CB
Weather day
Meet and greet: Brooke, Christina, Allison and our guide, Evan
Gear overview
Skied up in Evan’s Basin for some skill work
Practiced self-arresting
Worked on T-trench/Dead Man’s anchor
Rappelled on munter hitch
Skiing!
Friday, April 3:
Ski Gothic Mtn from Washington Gulch Road closure
Ascend Southeast side up gully south of the Spoon
Descend West side
Fun, long descent back to road
Saturday April 4:
Snow machines up Kebler Pass Road to Irwin
Skied into Ruby/Owen zone
Skied north side of Owen via southeast ridge
Steep, narrow chute off the ridge
Christina got caught in the variable snow and tore her ACL
Sled rescue directed by our awesome guide, Evan
She’s going to be fine, but will delay the start of her mountain bike season
Sunday, April 5:
Skied The Shield off Scarps Ridge
Mellow, non technical approach from the South to Scarps Ridge
Descend the north side into the Oh-Be-Joyful drainage
Warm spring weather
Thanks:
Irwin Guides, especially Evan Ross
Jumpers: Brooke and Christina
Xavier Fane Photography