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| From 2011-01-09 Snowy Day |
Copper got about 1' of new powder before the opening this morning and it is still snowing. Helen hit the slopes at the opening for fresh tracks. I am sitting Jacks watching. I skied Tuesday and then had (already scheduled) a gel injection in my knee which hopefully will make hiking easier when we get to Chile & Patagonia in mid-Jan. It takes about 6 weeks to kick in fully and the doctor suggested that I don't ski for a few days.
Today is the finals for the US Halfpipe Grand Prix at Copper. I am sitting inside so I can view the event in case they ever get the snow cleared off the half pipe.
Last night we had moisture and this morning our fall colors have a new color "White". Click on photo for an expanded view.
Last evening with had dinner with our friends, Karn, Frank, and Kaylin. While we are at their home it rained for a short time. After we could see a dusting of snow on the mountains across the valley. It was gone when we got up this morning but other friends told us while riding their bikes today that the could see snow on Grays & Torrys Mountains.
After shoveling 8" of snow off our deck last Saturday, the past couple days have warmed up and melted all the snow on the bike paths. I was able to ride my bike to run some errands and then over to the Dillon Reservoir for some wonderful views of the mountains. Tomorrow, more snow is predicted. This is spring time in the Rockies.
Measurable snow has fallen in 49 of the 50 states in the USA. Only Hawaii had no reportable snow. Here in Summit County we are still waiting for fresh powder. It has started to snow a little bit at our house and the local resorts reported 1-2" last night. The Olympics opening ceremonies are tonight in Vancouver, British Columbia where they are also waiting for snow.
Click here to read an article about the snow in 49 states.
Last Friday we had another late snow storm which dropped about 6-8" of snow at our house. By Sunday, most of the snow had disappeared from our yard and the temperature was around 60. During this time of the year and just after a late snow storm is when some locals hike (snowshoe) to the top of our mountains and take advantage of the new fresh snow.
About 2:30PM on Sunday, I looked across the valley at Red Mountain and thought I could see where some people had skied down the mountain. Once I got out our binoculars, I could see where people had hiked to the top and could see the perfect zipper turns as they descended down the mountain. I then noticed that an avalanche had occurred in a very steep area. I got my camera with a zoom lens and took several photos of the mountain and the avalanche area. I uploaded them on to my computer where I could further zoom in and was able to determine that two people had entered this steep chute on the top.
If you click on the photo you should be able to view a larger image where you can see that one person apparently started the avalanche and was able to ski out of it at the bottom right. The other person must have waited at the top until the avalanche stopped and then skied down the left side to the bottom of the avalanche area. Local mountains skiing is very extreme and there is also danger of starting an avalanche. There are two very lucky Summit County Skier that made it out alive.
Below are the other photos I took of Sunday's Red Mountain Skiing Activities. Click on each image bring up the larger image where you can see the tracks on the mountain. 
Yesterday, Helen hollered for me to come to the kitchen. Hamilton Creek Rd that is just behind our house was being plowed and several large junks of ice came sliding down the hill and stopped within about 1' of the side of our house. One smaller snowball actually rolled up on to our porch area. I had spoken with the snow plow people previously about the concern snow coming down the hill as result of the snow plowing. They have been very careful since that time but today it appeared a new person was driving the plow. I have now spoken with the head of Hamilton Creek Homeowners Association and he assures me that they will take every effort to be careful. I also forwarded several photos of the latest plowing.
Storm must be coming to an end since the animals are out today. I watched this bunny emerge from the willows and wonder all around our property looking for food. Also the deer made a straight path up the side of our hill behind us. I have not yet seen the fox but expect he will be out soon.
We had about another 4-5" last night but today it is clear blue sky and hopefully the end of the storm.
Last evening we went to the Summit High School Music Concert. Our neighbor's son Tyler and Don and Linda Coleman's son Kevin play trombones in the bands. Summit High School has an excellent music program with nearly 100 students and put a wonderful holiday concert each year.
Last year as we left the concert, a winter storm hit and we could hardly see to drive home. This year was basically the same. It started to snow as we arrived at the HS and by the time we left it was a full winter storm although not as blinding as last year. We woke up this morning to over 9.5" of snow on our deck.
After an early morning conference call (1.5hrs) with Helen's UK customer, she excused herself and told them that she was going skiing. Helen went with our friends, Dave and Marilyn, to Copper. This was her first time out this season and the fresh powder was really great although Copper had only reported 4" at 5:30AM.
Weather predictions are for it to continue to snow for the next couple days and we could get an additional 1-1.5' of snow before Sunday.
Yesterday, Helen and I got up and decided to ride our bikes to Frisco to run some errands. It was beautiful day and we knew that could be our last day to ride our bikes since a winter storm was being predicted for Saturday evening. Late afternoon, we went to see "Into the Wild" (directed by Sean Penn). Great movie. When we got back home around 7PM, Helen made a comment about how warm it was and surprised that it hadn't started snowing. We started to close our blinds and noticed lighting and then the winds started and snow started falling. This morning we have about 5-6" of snow and it is still snowing. I took this photo this morning when we were visited by mom and her two little ones looking for food in the snow.
Looks like winter has started in the high country.
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