"B" is for "Bluster"

...And bluster is what Glen, aka

Mean Gene, aka Yeti Slayer,

aka Captain Vagabond, etc. etc.etc.

and I experienced today at the Basin.

We didn't have much in the way of

expectations to begin with, but we

just had to get out at least once this week.

The lift line at Pali was outrageous.

It was actually snowing, a week straight

of this and we'll be back to normal.

A lone avalanche control cannon

quietly ponders its worth.

Middle of January , and only our 10th post.

Booooo.

Cruel Winter

This is the second post title pulled

from a cheesey 80's song this season,

I smell a trend. Returning to the Basin

today was awesome as the weather and

day were clear and beautiful. The snow

conditions however are still somewhat

tragic. More terrain is opening, but much

of it is rife with hinderances and

bugaboo's, you know... rocks and stumps.

Hence our title.

Much of Summit County is visible in this

"smash pan" overlooking Montezuma and beyond.

Glen was raring to go!

Pali top with Loveland Pass in the background.

Chairs from the Darkside.

B.o.B. experienced some early difficulties

on a chunky nugget filled run.

The face called..."Professor".

Day 9 completed.

Come back soon.

Ocho Stinko

This seasons eighth visit,

and first of this decade,

to The Basin, was a nice return

from a long holiday absence.

The conditions for early January

however are kinda crappy, no fault

of the ski areas though. Good snows

come to those who wait, and with

this being an El Nino year,

the best could be yet to come.

"Ocho"

Glen.

Gore Range in the distance.

Finally, West Wall open.

Glen gathers his eggs...

...then "BAM" takes the cheese!

Support Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol, buy

an avalanche rescue dog T- shirt,

available at the patrol hut.

Snow in the forecast for Wednesday the 6th.

Bitter cold on Thurs.7th.

Might try to return this week,

we'll see, please come back to

find out how it goes down.

Good fortune to all in this new year!

Silent Running

Our posts title comes to us

courtesy of the Mike & the Mechanics

song playing at the base area today as

G. Tewks and I wrapped up our quick

afternoon tour of the newly opened

sections near Lenawee at Arapahoe Basin.

Rapidly passing clouds reveal occasional blasts of sun.

Ski patrol tracks on West Wall over yonder.

Ol' Gene Tewks meandering...

...Down to this warning,

"Take er' easy there dude."

Finally, something different, bumpy, cruddy,

not groomed, enjoyed this.

...Number of visits this season.

Gonna try to make it back for at least

uno mas. X-mas hordes will soon invade

through New Years, keeping me away.

If we don't make it back next week,

ski ya next decade.

Going Through the Motions

I had to pick up the skis

that I dropped off nearly two weeks ago

for a tune. A Basin had reported 7.5"

over the last 72hrs. That .5'' really

makes a difference too. Today was one

of those riding for the sake of it days.

Mostly flat and windy, cold as well.

Ol' Gene Tewks and B.o.B., all business

The snow wasn't to bad, it's just getting REAL

deja vu like out there as nothing new is opening up.

I wanna ski some bumps n stuff.

The ski shop at the base did an awesome

edge and wax for just $10, It made a big diff.

Come back for more later as we hope

conditions will improve by years end.