notes from the field:
Trip reports, gear reviews, and more
Skiing Aconcagua Part 2: Climbing in Arenales, then Hitting the trail
The guide team goes rock climbing in Cajón de los Arenales for the weekend, then we reconvene in Mendoza and decide to start trekking to base camp, despite not receiving ski authorization (yet).
Skiing Aconcagua Part 1: The Mendoza Hang
That’s when my phone rings. Brian Burger, a close friend and ski guide, says that he has a group that wants to climb and ski Aconcagua as part of their quest to ski the Seven Summits. He needs a co-guide, as well as liability insurance for the trip, and invites me to guide with him.
Skiing the Emperor Couloir, Torreys Peak
A classic ski mountaineering peak of the Front Range, Torreys Peak is one of the more accessible routes for those hoping to ski the 14ers, featuring multiple fantastic fall-line ski descents from its summit.
Climbing the Great Dihedral, Rocky Mountain National Park
The Great Dihedral is roughly 8 pitches long, and climbs for about 800 vertical feet from the rocky talus field below the face to the top. Climbing difficulties are in the 5.7 range, with the crux pitch coming at the clean dihedral, or corner, that gives the route its name.
Alpine anchor building seminar
It only takes a day of focused instruction and practice to gain the skills necessary to build your own traditional anchors for alpine climbing and ski mountaineering.