With the world gone crazy and the US in a state of panic, I thought it would be nice to share some lines from last season and the making of my most recent book MakingTurns in Colorado, Volume 1: The North. Shipping on all of our titles is now just a penny.
Last season had some of the craziest snow and the craziest slides I’ve ever seen. I’d like to give a big shout out to Aaron Comess, Rapidgrass and Pretty Lights for contributing music. Support them if you are able. The shows that I did around the state had lots of fun raffles to support Backcountry Babes, Summit and El Paso County SARs, Friends of Berthoud Pass, The George Dirth Memorial Education Fund and Friends of the San Juans. It was a blast hanging out with everyone and sharing the stoke for the backcountry. Major thanks to my sponsors, Weston, Zeal, Dynafit, Big Agnes, Backcountry Access, Scarpa, Honey Stinger,Colorado Mountain School, and Discrete for contributing such great prizes. And to all the retailers that hosted shows another big thank you.
The Governor of Colorado just issued a statewide stay at home order so at this time we would suggest following this guidance. Stay home, catch up on all those things you’ve let slide and plan for the future. This is a great time to continue your avalanche education through reading and research. Avalanche.org is a great resource for home study. The book Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper is a great read as is Secrets of the Snow by Ed LaChapelle
As of writing this Governor Polis announced a Stay at Home order, similar to the one announced by the city of Denver. According to the Denver Post ”
People will still be allowed to attend to essential tasks: going to the grocery store, filling prescriptions, doing laundry and picking up take-out food. Taking walks and hikes are still fine, as long as you stay six feet from the nearest person.” I would assume that inter-county travel is now prohibited unless you are involved with essential work in industries exempted by the order.
As far as backcountry use goes, I would recommend users stay at home. Those that choose to ignore this advice, you MUST be able to ski without injury or incident, complete self reliance, so you do not place Search and Rescue in play and take away resources engaged in the fight against COVID-19 (Coronavirus) The bed you take may place others at greater risk. Going to hospital may place you at risk of infection and if you are positive and asymptomatic you may infect others. It’s time to act responsibly.