As most of the front-range received a significant dump of snow (CB was spared), it feels a little like fall here in the Gunnison valley. Cool overnight temps and brisk mornings in the high country and perfect temps for rock climbing down in the Taylor and Black Canyons.
For me, most of the summer work in Crested Butte involves the use of ropes and techy climbing gear.  Occasionally though we get some guests who are interested in seeing what the Butte has to offer in terms of wilderness hiking and I get passed the baton. Because I’m generally not one to get excited about staying on the beaten path, CBMG guest David and I have been pioneering some exciting Alpine excursions.
We ended up completing what should be an instant classic the “Complete Scarp Ridge Traverse”. Check out a portion of the topo below… With a little ingenuity and the willingness to get off-trail many variations and options exist on this above 12000ft traverse.

A portion of the Scarp Ridge Traverse

Approaching the complete Scarp Ridge Traverse

David was interested in training for an intense Aspen round-trip adventure involving consecutive CB-Aspen haute hiking, so we designed a custom hiking progression to challenge Dave and show him some more obscure spots.

The view from the start of the ridge

We’re off to Aspen tomorrow and then returning on Thursday. For me this will be a perfect transition into a busy fall season… 

Here is the line-up for the Fall.—>

Late Aug-Early Sept: Alpine Climbing in the Wind River Wilderness instructing for Colorado Mountain College

Mid Sept: International Snow Science Workshop and Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2 Program in Whistler B.C. Back to CB for a week

Late Sept-Mid October: AMGA Rock Guides Aspirant Exam in Red Rock, NV… then hopefully some rest.

Mike

It’s like spending four days straight in a giant big-box outdoor store. Interesting at first, but a good reminder that I truly don’t have what it takes to make a career out of retail sales. Anyways, here are some highlights from the show. TetonAT and Wildsnow.com both have some good posts of their take on the show, check em out. I’m back in CB and about to head out climbing to test some new goodies.

In the constant quest to find the perfect Backcountry ski pack, I stumbled upon the new ‘Arrakis’. This pack is money. I always thought that a pack similar to their Acrux, but with a shape more condusive to skiing would dominate. Im hoping to have their sleek charcoal coloured model on my back this season.

Another interesting product that may be of interest to the Alpine Guide is the new Mammut Monolith boot. The reigning champion of the mid-duty alpine boot is the La Sportiva Trango S evo, and while the Trango really is the shizz this boot may fill in the gaps for those who don’t have sportiva compatible feet. These boots even have the same vibram sole with the ever crucial ‘Climbing Zone’ under the big toe.

 I’m over talking about gear for now… but stay tuned for some new reviews.

Mike Bromberg