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On the Trooper Traverse – Leadville to Aspen, Colorado

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This post by WildSnow.com blogger

We’re leaving today for five days backcountry skiing on the Trooper Traverse from Leadville, Colorado to Aspen. The weather looks a bit shaky for the first few days, but it appears we will finish the trip with a string of blue sky days. A few photos from the original trip in 1943:

10th Mountain Division Soldier on the Trooper Traverse
I’ve gathered quite an archive of photos from the original 1943 Trooper Traverse. This is one of my favorites. There is not doubt in my mind the guy has a hunk of Spam on that fork. And he’s smiling. Perhaps he knows something we don’t?

Hotel Jerome Bar interior in 1940s
Just as it was for the soldiers, Jerome Bar is our ultimate destination. Photo above is the bar and soda fountain in the 1940s. During their many parties at the Hotel Jerome the soldiers invented a famous drink. Known as Aspen Crud, the somewhat deadly concoction consists of bourbon and vanilla ice cream blended together — no doubt an opportunistic combination of soda fountain and available libations. The Hotel Jerome told me they’d host us with lunch and a round of cruds when we show up this coming Friday. Thanks Jerome!

So, ’till Friday, this is Lou, signing off. Look for a full spring and summer of blogging after that, and thanks all for making this blog a success!

Posted by Lou on May 7, 2006 | Filed Under Trip Reports Backcountry 

previous post: Tasty Photo from Marble Peak this Morning
next post: Trooper Traverse 2006 – Complete

Comments

One Response to “On the Trooper Traverse – Leadville to Aspen, Colorado”

  1. Mark Worley May 7th, 2006 10:13 am

    It’s cool walking into a restaurant/bar after several days in the wild. People take notice–and it’s fun to recount the trip for them. Good luck and enjoy the trip.

    Mark

Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information opinion website and e magazine. Lou's passion for the past 45 years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country news and information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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