A big thanks to Onx backcountry for making these post happen. Check out the Onx mapping app for your next backcountry adventure and click here to use the app to support your local avalanche forecasters
If you’re around, be there. CAIC event is always a good time, and the WRFA event is nothing less than visionary and ground breaking, as it explores how to manage our backcountry without making it into legal Wilderness (radical thought is not dead).
Colorado Avalanche Information Center Benefit
WRFA event.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain. For more about Lou, please see his personal website at https://www.loudawson.com/ (Blogger stats: 5 foot 10 inches (178 cm) tall, 160 lbs (72574.8 grams).
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lou.dawson.writer
4 comments
While the CAIC has a great list of weather stations in the Aspen area,
(http://avalanche.state.co.us/obs_stns/stns.php) I wonder if anyone knows of more research grade weather stations in the Aspen area?
Background: I am working for the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (rmbl.org) in Crested Butte building “weather stations” (aka “environmental sensing stations”)
We have installed 6 such stations, sort of similar to SNOTEL sites but with more focus on things of interest to the RMBL’s scientists. (BTW: you may happen upon one of our stations if you find yourself in the back country around Crested Butte. )
We have started talking to some folks in Aspen who may be interested in building one of their own in a new site that has yet to be determined. As part of looking about for a site, we need to know about Roaring Fork area weather stations.
In addition to the SNOTEL’s and the HADS stations in the area, I wonder if any of you could direct me to anyone in the Aspen area who might be aware of any other “research grade” weather stations / environmental sensing stations in the area?
Thanks much!
-dan jones
PS: In case you are interested in our network’s data: while I am still working on post processing and quality control, provisional data from our sites can be seen here.
http://rmbl.info/rmblnet/rpts/AKB01.php
and here
http://rmbl.info/rmblnet/rpts/BB01.html
Hi Lou-
This is a new topic fir you.
The Whitefish Mountain Resort, formerly Big Mountain, has for many years allowed uphill hiking within the boundary. Many people who live here hike up after or before work, and the ski hill is just 15 minutes from town, so it is a real pleasurable work-out.
The resort just teamed up with the local bureaucrats and issued this policy (see link):
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FbIlu8w&h=1a82081fe1aef3b1f38df6884341ef33
They have banned the after hours hiking for the most part, except for 14 days after the season ends.
This is a great loss to our community, I’m passing the information along to anyone who cares, it’s disappointing.
Bogus uphill policy at Whitefish, but it sounds like people aren’t using much common sense either. Gotta stay clear of grooming, snowmaking and other ski area operations. Hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.
@dan: have you checked with Western Region Climate Center? The problem will be finding it–their website is a mess. Probably easier to call them.
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/
Actually, the High Plains Regional Climate Center might be better, since CO is actually in their region:
http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/
The guys at Mesowest might also be able to help:
http://www.met.utah.edu/mesowest/
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