HOME
Heading out for the snow caves, Libby Flats, Snowy Range
SKIING and WINTER SKI-MOUNTAINEERING
As soon as the snows come and cover the ground sufficiently, we pack up
the skis and head up to the mountains.
We normally go to the Snowy Range (Snowmobile Mecca, watch over your shoulder!)
where there are about 50 miles of XC trails. Its not so bad as all
of the XC ski trails are reserved only for skiers. On the roads,
we have to share.
We have a yearly skiing training session, especially for the new troop
members. This session includes how to dress for skiing, maintenance
of equipment and base waxing the skis, and even how to get up after falling
over (one of the more amusing things that we older scouts get to do).
The ski trips go from single day to overnight trips to nearby cabins and
even more fun, snow caves, quinzhees and igloos. We often use sleds
to pull our gear rather than bringing big backpacks which tend to overbalance
the skier, especially on the downhills.
Skills that we learn include avalanche safety and avoidance, how to dig
snow pits to determine danger, characteristics of avalanche, hypothermia
and how to avoid it, emergency overnight shelters, and how not to get caught
by that little guy we just bombed with snow balls. Our skill training
includes all of the skills found in the venture program.
We also pride ourselves on learning Telemark skiing, which is a method
of downhill skiing on our cross country skis.
After a few trips to break the new scouts in, we have each year planned
a ski-mountaineering trip, sometimes to climb selected fourteeners in Colorado.
These trips include an overnight at the base of the mountain followed by
a single day ascent. We have climbed Mt. Bierstadt, Quandry Peak
and Grays Peak.
Skiing
Pictures