crazy_t

sounds like the opposite of "spray"

I think he'll save time and get solid a lot quicker by starting at the resort. That's not flapping, but just my 2 cents worth, and I'm someone who also is turned off by the resort scene. Regardless of how you do it, manimal, good luck and have a blast. And remember.."Keep those tips up"

Nice job! Must have been a fun 6 months.

good for the seahawks, fun last 1/2 too. good luck!

You should learn at the area. Get some lessons, then ride the lifts. You could get seriously hurt + as a blatant beginner in the backcountry if you can't ski in control. I ski mainly backcountry, for many reasons. But I've been on skis since before I was 2, and have a feel for skis, the snow and how it varies, not to mention avalanche awareness and rescue etc. But for you, I think regardless of all that, the shortest distance between where you are now and where you want to be begins with getting dialed in on skiing, at a resort. The effort is definitely worth it. Just suck it up, put your vision of stepping right into the right pair of AT skis and making powder turns on hold for now and pay your dues for a little bit. Buy a used AT setup that suits you generally, and once you are more solid on your skis skin up the groomed slopes sometimes as part of your routine. Take an avalanche course this winter. Ease into it, so you can enjoy it for years. That's just my advice, as Pigpen said "you heard what the man said, the warning is there, just do what you want!". Snowboarding is quicker to learn, btw. But that's another thing...

That's good shit...

Don't take NH for granite.. The 'Shire!!!

hunker down boys!!! We're pulling for you..

Thanks for the reply; unfortunately I have the grey ones.

You should also consider firing down to the front range for rock climbing: S-facing Eldo, Flatirons and Boulder Canyon. Nice break from ski town vibe and could be done as a day trip. Ski a lap off of Loveland Pass or a pitch of ice in Clear Creek on your way up or down for the multi-sport day.

Looking to buy them, they can be used, need 'em by tuesday. I have for sale/trade a pair of fritschi freeride brakes and ski crampons, sz. small. Thanks!

shrub's legacy is not one of a visionary. Rather, a backwards and opportunistic set of selfish blunders that has killed many, weakened our nation and diplomacy worldwide, and waylaid attention and energies from the pressing issues of our day. Unfortunately for him he was called on it, by a nation that is finally realizing that he and his crew are the ones we need to be afraid of. It's been a step backwards for the world. Unfortunately sometimes that is what is needed to build sufficient momentum to take the next step forward.

Research "the Commando Run" from Vail Pass. The huts over Vail are good (Eisman hut a favorite). Loveland Pass car-accessed bc is sweet.

Capt. Caveman

?

A la cj001f, "Keep those tips up" The other classic, saw an original in the same Aspen shop (he kept it out of customers' sight) a few years ago.

on the divergent/diversive note, the 70's Lange "It's soft inside" poster. A guy in Aspen has had them printed again, I hadn't seen that in 25-30 years!

Hendrix, no contest at all.

Neptune Mountaineering vote #3. Call them, you'll see. The best gear shop in the US, go in and check out the "museum". As mentioned, Boulder Canyon (shortest drive from Denver, besides Hwy 6 ice btw Golden and I-70), Lincoln Falls, Vail, RMNP of course. Boulder Canyon, Hwy 6 (Clear Creek) and Lincoln Falls are all 5 minute max approaches.

That is solid. Thanks for the pics!

PM sent, I'll take them

Epic pics!

Boulder has definitely gotten "funnier" in recent years, almost a parody of itself in some ways socially, but the land and the climbing (and the convenience to all that good stuff) is always the epic reality. Living in the "Swiss Chalet" on the cliff in Eldo spoiled me for good. There are still a lot of good people in the area too, but over the years the balance of the vibe/focus shifted from a nature focus to a $ focus, like a lot of other places too. Bummer. And more on Spicoli- he is a climber and a snowboarder!

Sorry, I thought I smelled some indirect CO slandering, which I see a lot here and annoys me. I enjoyed a lot of years living in Boulder, Eldo, CB and Aspen area, have a connection to the land there and miss it. But it's good here too. Slander in general is something I'm not that into, so yeah I agree that the blogger is barking up the wrong tree. Steve House's achievements speak for themselves, and he has by example raised the bar for everyone, along with sharing his techniques/gear/training/mindset which as an ongoing body of work has value and is inspirational, not to mention his climbs which bring it all together and show the truths he has gained through work and experience. I've never met him, but am cheering him on from my small corner. I have met Bruce Miller though, he always seemed pretty rational and his climbing was very solid; I hope things are cool between them by now. It's kind of like Krakauer writing about Everest (to pick an example); it's folly for me or anyone else who was not a direct party in such (or any) events to comment or make judgement upon the players at hand.

in unrelated drift.. I know the real "Spicoli", the model for the movie character. He's a friend of mine, went to high school w/ Cameron Crowe (who wrote the screenplay). He's still a serious character, but now a 50 y.o. father of two in commercial real estate! Still a sick surfer, though and one of the funniest people I have ever met.