January 11th, 2011
East Vail Chutes
With little new snow this year during my brothers visit we had to head to the backcountry to find some untouched powder. Dana and I headed out with safety as our number one priority. With a conservative route planned Dana dropped in and set the track to our first safe zone. What followed was big smiles and laughter one after another until I brought up the rear on the sweep. Everyone was finding their powder legs and getting some deep turns. Our second stop was a concealed cliff band, well protected by trees with a mellow run in. Everyone got a chance to test themselves… some making bigger bomb holes than others.
Jordan locking onto a tail grab (Photo - Collin Schwantes)
Weston getting second shot after Jordan (Photo - Collin Schwantes)
Eric in the white room (Photo - Collin Schwantes)
Eric airing it out (Photo - Weston Bierma)
We hiked out of undisclosed zone 1 and headed for another area of the East Vail Chutes, this time it would take us back to our house in East Vail. We stopped part way and enjoyed a snack in the warm Colorado sunshine despite the thermometer barely eclipsing zero on the day. We laughed and talked as we peeled the icicles off of our eye brows from the Colorado champagne powder on our first run.
Ryan trying to hide the smirk from all of that Colorado Champagne Powder (Photo - Weston Bierma)
A little bit of bush whacking traverse through some tight trees led us to our final pitch of the day where everyone got first tracks and a great view of the Gore Range. Another great day with the boys, Dana and I could not have done it without the incredible breakfast you guys made! Hopefully everyone got a photo to stick on the fridge of another sweet trip, looks like we now have a tradition since you guys are the only crew who have visited every winter since we moved. You guys are always welcome to come visit anytime, see you at the lake this summer for some extreme tubing and flying hulls on the sail boat – Dana & Weston
Eric going deep (Photo - Weston Bierma)
Dana showing how it's done (Photo - Weston Bierma)
Collin is either really short or it's really deep (Photo - Weston Bierma)
Jordan putting using his signature praying mantis move on the cliffs (Photo - Weston Bierma)
Ryan unsure if he is floating in the snow or floating in the air (Photo - Weston Bierma)
Dana waist deep in the aspens (Photo - Weston Bierma)
