Comments on: Buffalo Pass 1/10/10

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:32:56 +0000

Nice coverage Shay! Super fun and Im glad you could make it out.

By: Shay

Shay — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:27:44 +0000

Definitely the snowpack on Buff Pass was better than the mountain, didn’t notice any punchy layers underneath and heavier in some spots but the cold temps made it so last week’s snow was still soft to ride. Buff is flat compared to other backcountry areas, mellow pitch for riding. Steamboat seems to be doing better than summit county on the snowpack. Over the weekend there was some human caused avalanches triggered on Rabbit Ears Pass nearby so definitely not safe, still considerable out there in backcountry.

Trent, it was awesome for sure! Glad I got to make turns with you!

By: Trent

Trent — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:41:28 +0000

Great times Shay- Thanks for being there!

By: gags

gags — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:24:07 +0000

some punchy layers underneath depending on your aspect…I think it’s better near steamboat, but in Summit and the SW there’s considerable avi danger on the steeper slopes

By: justin

justin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:13:10 +0000

What’s the CO snowpack like these days? Ours has been funky the past week or so with all the rain.

By: Shay

Shay — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:05:29 +0000

Happy, definitely so far the best days of my life…that’s how good it was.

Nah we had sleds dialed today so no hiking. We switched out drivers so groups would take laps and we would have 3 sleds (I think we went 4/4/5 to a sled). So we’d shred down to the bottom and whoever was a driver would drive the sled down to pick us up. I drove once so someone could get their laps in. It worked out pretty good with making sure the drivers got ride turns and everyone switching it up.

Burrito, totally agree with you. We were very good, we rode in groups or pairs and everyone was accounted for all day. Plus everyone was a strong rider and the tree riding wasn’t anything hard for anyone which helps but we definitely made sure to make it a safe experience.

By: burritosandsnow

burritosandsnow — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:58:06 +0000

good to hear Shay .. and sorry to be the beacon nazi but ive lost friends and you have lots of traffic so always good to point out safety precautions.

By: happytheman

happytheman — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:36:32 +0000

It looks like you had a fantastic couple of days Shay! I’m curious, did you have to hike back to the peak or were you somehow coordinating the sleds??

By: Shay

Shay — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:08:57 +0000

Sorry I didn’t mention it in today’s post but I did in yesterday’s…we had beacons, probes and shovels in the backcountry.

By: burritosandsnow

burritosandsnow — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:34:52 +0000

beacons? 🙁 … glad you had a blast!