By Joe Brannan, WildSnow Denali crew
Lou and the crew taught me a few things new this winter. One being that we urbanites from the Denver Metro are known as Frangers! What a great name (say it like “rangers”), I loved it immediately. Hey, the Front Range may not have the laid back inexpensive lifestyle and clean dust free air of Aspen or Telluride, but there are some fine days to be had ‘out the back door.’ Saturday in RMNP was a good example.
Seems like we always hit this part of the approach about the same time.

This view never gets old. If the Chasm Lake Cirque doesn’t stir your soul, you belong in a cube farm.
Fine opportunities for adventure up there on and around the Diamond, but we were here for a moderate mixed route up Mount Lady Washington.
We found it!
And in fine shape…
Attention… attention… Longs North Face is IN for ski descents.
Nothing like good skiing after good climbing:
I don’t mind this “Franger” stuff too much…
But I can’t stop thinking about Alaska.
11 comments
the inexpensive lifestyle of aspen or telluride?
:tongue:
You sure know how to take advantage of spring and backcountry skiing. Very jealous! 🙂
awesome views/great pics….
Hey that quick draw looks back clipped ?
:pinch: That screamer does look back clipped.
I was waiting for someone to notice that! Haha
The pro was a formality anyway, you would have to try to fall off that route :tongue:
BTW – where was the editior on that one :ninja:
Great article! As a former ’80s ski bum turned Franger, I will wear the new moniker with pride while I drive my rust free SUV to the trailhead and mix with the mountain types who Fear and Loath my infringement on their backyard. Time to crank up a little 100 Year Hall while I finish another day of breathing recycled air in corporate america while reading Wildsnow in my free moments
That looks like fun. The north face is caked. Are you going to ski Kieners? the second hundred feet off the top looked bad. Broadway looks like tough gibbing too.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, long live Frangers!! Love the view from the top looking down the range. Aspen is cool but I can see Pike’s Peak to Long’s Peak almost everyday. Good luck to the Denali crew, get after it! Dare I say git er’ dun!
Yes, it appears there is a back clip! Can’t Photoshop that out.
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