Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information & opinion website. Lou's passion for the past 50 years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about
ski touring 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 ski touring news and information here.
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Backcountry skiing is dangerous. You may be killed or severely injured if you do any form of ski mountaineering, skimo randonnee and randonnée skiing. The information and news on this website is intended only as general information. Due to human error and passing time, the information, text and images contained within this website may be inaccurate, false, or out-of-date. By using, reading or viewing the information provided on this website, you agree to absolve the owners of Wild Snow as well as content contributors of any liability for injuries or losses incurred while using such information. Furthermore, you agree to use any of this website's information, maps, photos, or binding mounting instructions templates at your own risk, and waive Wild Snow owners and contributors of liability for use of said items for ski touring or any other use.
Bring your kite ski for fast transportation today! Chilly winds are a blowing!
Lou,
A rough day at the office, eh! I was able to get a quick run in before work on the Pass. Report: it was COLD, but at least it was windy. It looks like a mountain squall all day long up there.
Some scary stuff happening up here recently with movement/slides/rescues. My partner and I dug a pit a few days ago on Mt. Taylor and found an incredible layer of ice about 2-3 feet down. It looks like it might take multiple triggers or one BIG trigger, but when it goes it has the potential to go BIG. Be careful out there folks!
Conditions are good, but powder lust beware! Another example of continental snowpack danger: SW Montana just got hammered with 3 feet in places. Big slides could follow.