– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Catching Colorado Spring Backcountry Skiing — Before the Snirt

by Lisa Dawson April 14, 2014
written by Lisa Dawson April 14, 2014
Spring in the Colorado Rockies.

Early spring ski touring in the Colorado Rockies. Click images to enlarge.

We get out on our backcountry skis whenever we can, and lucky for us, that’s quite often. Years ago we were able to ski tour spring corn-snow for weeks in our home mountains, the Elk range of the Colorado Rockies. Now a dirt layer usually blows in during April. The “snirt” causes lots of problems — weak layers in the snowpack, destruction of our corn cycle and accelerated spring runoff. This year we were hoping it wouldn’t happen but sadly it has. The snirt creates a grabby snow surface that’s no fun to ski. So when a spring storm deposits a few inches of fresh snow over the muck layer, we check avalanche conditions and if it’s safe, we get out to ski before it melts down to the dirt. Recently we were able to catch it. Snowpack was surprisingly solid and we enjoyed every turn. Check out our photo essay on some of our better backcountry days all year.

Patrick, visiting from Montana, enjoying what Colorado has to offer.

Patrick, visiting from Montana, enjoys what Colorado has to offer.

Beautiful vistas come in and out of view as the storm moves through the valley.

Beautiful vistas in the West Elk Mountains come in and out of view as the storm moves through the valley.

Blase Reardon, Aspen zone forecaster for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, enjoying his day off.

Blase Reardon, Aspen zone forecaster for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, joined us on his day off.

Finding fluff in the forest.

Finding fluff in the forest.

View of our tracks at the end of the day.  Yes, it was good.

View of our tracks at the end of the day. Yes, it was good.

13 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Volkl BMT V-werks Mounting Pattern – Strong Enough?
next post
Black Diamond Carbon Convert – The Review

13 comments

Mike Marolt April 14, 2014 - 9:48 am

very nice lisa!!

Joe John April 14, 2014 - 11:49 am

Looks awesome! Thank you for sharing.

Joe K April 14, 2014 - 1:49 pm

Where’s that dirt coming from?

Lou Dawson April 14, 2014 - 2:34 pm

Usually from 4-Corners area, is what I recall seeing in reports, including some satellite views of the actual dust plumes racing our direction.

https://www.google.com/search?q=dust+from+4+corners&oq=dust+from+4+corners&aqs=chrome..69i57.4383j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

Navajo and Hopi lands are where it appears to get picked up from. I’ve heard a combination of over-grazing and drought has made those lands more sensitive to dust pickup, but I’d imagine that land outside the Native American lands contributes as well. I’ve spoken with a few environmentalists who just knee-jerk and say it’s from “off roading” or “ATVs” but this is way more dust than what some dusty roads would contribute.

Lou

Mark Donohoe April 14, 2014 - 3:36 pm

Hey sorta related to brown stuff…. my dynafit mercury boots (white). The plastic is turning brown in the toe area. One foot more than the other. I searched the site, but didn’t find it. I thought I saw something on this site about this. Is this an issue that needs attention? Should I contact Dynafit?

Another question. I have speed radikals that say ‘turn this direction’ which I do. While sking this past weekend, both of my heel units would rotate to the outside edge of the boot. This was on the first riser of the back. Both would rotate to the point of my boot being flat on the ski. It was really a problem while skining uphill. Is this supposed to happen? My FT’s don’t display this issue. I was not impressed and was glad it was only a day tour. Having to deal with this with a full pack on would be a pain!

kyle tyler April 14, 2014 - 4:47 pm

Hello Blase, do a lap for me. We just closed today for the season—days off in my future. You guys have a nice looking snow surface—kyle

mtnrunner2 April 14, 2014 - 9:56 pm

Given the pink color of the dust, I’ve always assumed it’s because of ALL OF UTAH. Heh. But seriously, the state has huge areas of red rock desert, after all. Right?

Love the second-to-last pic in particular.

Lou Dawson April 15, 2014 - 5:10 am

Mtnrunner, perhaps, but the storms that bring it in seem to usually be the ones picking it up from 4-Corners area. I have a theory that folks would make a bigger deal out of it if it came from BLM lands, but since it’s coming from Native American lands, we don’t want to touch the issue, understandably. If it’s any fault of land management, that’s Native American land and they should do what they want with it (assuming they have any influence on the situation, regarding how livestock is managed, etc.).

Another interesting aspect of this is that of any one thing that’s perhaps caused by anthropomorphic climate change, this Colorado dust is wrecking our ski industry. It is really really bad. Can you imagine if you’d paid for an Aspen ski vacation and you arrived to find the ski hill covered with red mud? Aspen Skiing Company does a lot of talking about global warming, but I’ve not heard them say much about the red mud. You’d think they’d be down there negotiating with the Navajo, perhaps splitting their profits with them or something in return for some mitigation.

Perhaps I should mention for those of you outside Colorado and following this thread, that these dust events used to be very rare. I remember perhaps one or two minor ones in the 1960s into 1980s, now we can pretty much count on several rather scary ones every spring once the desert soil is available (not snow covered or crusted over) for the wind to blow up, enough to ruin the snowpack for much spring skiing.

Further reading (Thanks Chris Landry for the excellent pop-press bibliography):

http://www.snowstudies.org/press1.html

Following article is especially good, tending to not be politically correct but rather realistic (even pointing finger at renewable energy development!), though it of course just assumes that GW causes the problem, with not citing of any true science to back that up. The problem is real, probably caused by drought, but whether that’s caused by global warming or not is a whole other question, and one that’s so politically sensitive it probably will never be adequately answered.

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/05/14/14greenwire-climate-change-water-shortages-conspire-to-cre-12208.html?pagewanted=all

Lou

brian h April 15, 2014 - 8:07 am

Living down this way, I’d say drought is the biggest culprit. I would think that if the 4 Corners region had any amount of ground moisture, the dust events wouldn’t be as severe. We’re into our second year of true drought without any major winters since 2010 (?) Poorly managed livestock grazing on tribal lands, private property and public grounds has contributed I’m sure, but that ‘industry’ is dying out here or changing anyway. Another issue might be the loss of native grasses to invasive weeds (and over grazing). It’s a bitches brew for sure that hopefully the talked about El Nino will help contain. But, that means less snow for you northern folk!

Mike Marolt April 15, 2014 - 2:22 pm

I can’t find the article, but it said that the amount of dirt relates directly to drought conditions which have not subsided for the past 20 years in the west It said most of the dust is from the Utah desert which has really suffered in the drought the most. The oil / gas platforms def contribute, but it’s primarily the drought conditions which are part of the climate change in general according to this article. It did not talk about the causes of climate change, only that it has changed over the past couple of decades and has changed over time. It did talk about the same dust being found in other parts of the country east from various periods sometimes thick layers, suggesting that while we haven’t seen it in our lifetime until recent years, it’s been happening for thousands of years at various times. Said the components from the area that make up the dust are fairly unique to that part of the west so it’s not difficult to trace it. Interesting article.

Craig Steury April 15, 2014 - 4:20 pm

The “Snirt” event(s) has made me nervous about renting any of the Braun huts in April and May, given the inflexibility in cancelling reservations, etc.

I don’t know if you saw the Ken Burns documentary on the Dust Bowl (a little slow but some impressive pictures of the *huge* dust clouds of that day – some of which blew all the way to the East Coast! (see http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/)

They think it was caused by a combination of drought, disappearance of native grasses and bad farming practices. My take-away message from that program was that although they put in place many better farming practices recommended by soil scientists of the time, it was really the end of the drought that stopped the dust-clouds. When the price of wheat went up, they pretty much went back to the farming practices of before, ie there doesn’t seem to be any reason it couldn’t happen again given a long-enough drought.

Lou Dawson April 15, 2014 - 5:35 pm

Craig, I’d indeed suggest that renting Braun Huts near Aspen, Colorado could be iffy. We just did an out-and-back to Opah, today. Judging from what I saw, it’ll get really snirty just as soon as things warm up, as the snirt layer is already at the surface in many places above timberline due to wind. Remember also that in terms of Colorado spring skiing, April is the new May. Lou

Greg April 28, 2014 - 6:46 pm

The pictures are really stunnig. These mountains gave me a great occasion to impress my girlfriend. W love skiing.

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Stephen Hole on Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
  • rob coppolillo on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • rob coppolillo on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • AntoineB on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure
  • Sebastian on The No-Beacon Day — Using Terrain to Minimize Avalanche Exposure

Gear Reviews

  • High Pressure Kit Review — Ortovox Col Becchei Pant & Piz Boe Jacket

    January 25, 2021
  • Simple and Dependable — Black Diamond Helio 145 Binding Review

    January 20, 2021
  • Versatile and Sustainable — WNDR Vital 100 Ski Review

    January 14, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Finding Early Turns on Rainier’s Muir Snowfield

    November 14, 2020
  • Treading Lightly Through Close-to-Home Mountains

    October 6, 2020
  • Snoqualmie Classic — Chair Peak Circumnavigation

    May 26, 2020

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020
  • Totally Deep Podcast 81 — CAIC Director Ethan Greene

    December 9, 2020
  • Unraveling the Mysteries of Avalanche Education — Totally Deep Podcast 80

    November 16, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • 10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry Ski Touring Beginner

    December 2, 2020
  • Buying Used Gear Guide Part II — Poles, Avy Gear, Packs

    November 25, 2020
  • Save Your Ski Day — Emergency Car Kit Essentials

    November 24, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry —...

January 18, 2021

Euro Puro Amoro — La Sportiva...

January 13, 2021

Griffin Post Stays Home — Totally...

January 10, 2021