East Utah travels 26 & 27 Jan 2011

Cooking up a lunch in a remote valley in eastern Utah. Light winds and bright sunshine made it quite pleasant even though it was technically just above freezing point.

River nearby was trickling along......

As I crested a hill this wonderful desert view to the east opened up and I am still trying to work out exactly where the snow peaks on the horizon are.

A frozen lake west of Duchesne. Lovely patterns on the water/ice.

The vast snowy landscape as I head west to Daniel Summit. Couple of years ago was snowmobiling on the hills to the left with Chris Ravey.

http://wwwchrisdickinsondotcom.blogspot.com/2009/02/2nd-feb-09-daniel-summit-utah.html


Mount Timpanogos dominating the view at Heber City, en route for Salt Lake.

Brian Head Skiing, Utah 25 January 2011

From Cedar City, drove up to Brian Head ski area in southern Utah.

There are fine views out into the western Utah desert from the mountain.

Pistes were empty! $30 midweek special for the day!

Pretty empty lifts too!! Eat your heart out Cairngorm!

Just up the road from the ski area is Cedar Breaks National Monument, an eroded canyon.

I headed up over the pass east and descended to the wee town of Panguitch, Utah, where I had a blinding dinner of smoked trout, brisket and peach cobbler. An unexpected surprise to get such fantastic dinner in a local cafe. Nice wee motel too. Going to head north through the desert foothills tomorrow to look at scenery, maybe take a hike and perhaps even climb a bit of ice.

Supposedly was snowing in the Salt Lake area today. Sunny all day here. Southern Utah is very mellow, really peaceful and scenic, with just small towns and oodles of space.

Spring Kayaking Calendar 2011

2011 Spring Kayaking Calendar

Chris Dickinson, BCU Level 5 Coach, M.I.C

Bla Bheinn, Station Road, Spean Bridge, Highland PH34 4EP

Tel: 01397 71385 Mobile 07825264922

email: speanbridge@googlemail.com

www.chrisdickinson.com

Guided Kayaking and Coaching in Scotland, USA, Ecuador, Nepal

Spring 2011 Calendar of Courses

5 Star WW Assess (Lochaber) 26-27 Mar

AWWSR* (Lochaber) 4-5 April

5 Star WW Training* (Lochaber) 6-7 April

3Star WW Assess* (Lochaber) 8 April

WWSR* (Lochaber) 9-10 April

4 Star WW Training* (Lochaber) 11-12 April

3 Star Sea Training* (Lochaber) 20-21 May

3 Star Sea Assess* (Lochaber) 22 May

4 Star WW Assess (Lochaber) 28-29 May

*these courses can be combined

EASTER RIVER TOUR 22-26 April (4 days) for Grade 3/4 paddlers, incl guiding, transport, accommodation and meals. Total cost £300 (Deposit is £40** sent as below)

A boat, sprayskirt and paddle can be provided for the tour at £50.

Director: Chris Dickinson, BCU Level 5 Coach

Course fees: £50** for 1 day course, £75** for 2 day training course

and £125** for 2 day assessment course. (Deposit as

below and balance in cash at start of course please)

**Deposit: £20 (**cheque payable to “Nepal Schools Trust”)

and sent to Chris at above address.

Programmes: Venues chosen appropriate to syllabus and conditions on day

You can see the syllabi and all other references relevant to coaching and personal performance awards at: www.canoescotland.com by clicking on Coaching and then Resources. Please note that Leader Assessment courses require you to pre-register using the LR form, forms downloadable from same place.

*Some of the proceeds from these courses will go to the Nepal Schools Trust. You can find out more about the Trust at www.nepalschoolstrust.org.uk

Accommodation and meals will be provided for those who have asked for it in advance at a cost of £50 for the 2 day courses, including 2 bednights, 2 breakfasts, 2 packed lunches, 1 dinner and good drying room facilities and hot tub..

Any questions or enquiries, please contact me. Thanks

Chris Dickinson

Utah central desert 24th January 2011

Finished the day at Cedar City in southern Utah, after a sightseeing drive from Green River.

Called into cedar canyon to see how much ice there was. Although there was ice it was mostly pretty scruffy apart from the Cedarcicle seen above a stout WI Grade 5 column.

Berries on a giant juniper tree in the San Rafael Swell area.


A butte rises above a sandstone pavement

A wild ridge, with snow peaks in the distance, in the San Rafael Swell.

The Interstate I70 where it first meets the rocks of the San Rafael Swell

Gast station at Green River, Utah.

Crested Butte Skiing, Colorado 23 January 2011

Back to skiing. After staying overnight in Gunnison, we drove up to Crested Butte. Weather was cold -14 degrees fahrenheit!! Very sunny though. A great day to ski.

Skiied alone today as James was still very out of sorts after his climbing day yesterday.
Seemed like he needed some space to calm himself down. Explored the field and had a great day finding fresh powder in the aspen groves. Some very steep terrain on this field but loads for intermediate and beginner skiers too.

Serene views out from the field to the surrounding mountains.

At end of the day James had decided he wanted to head home. Seemed like a strange decision to me, but there we are. We had steak dinner and then he took a room at Crested Butte, planning to figure out how to get home from there via Gunnison and Denver. I started the trip back to Salt Lake area by driving 4 hours to Green River Utah. Planning to head to Cedar City and ski in the red rock areas, something I have always wanted to do. :-)

Brides Veil Ice Climb, Ouray 21st Jan 2011

On our last day in Ouray we went looking for a mountain route rather than go into the Ice Park which James seemed to despise a little. :-) It was windy and plumes of powder snow in the air warned us off Gravity's Rainbow, whilst Cascade Falls at the back of town was incomplete. James wanted to look at Bride's Veil, WI 5. As best we could see it looked complete and we waded up the gully to the foot.

Knowing that I would not be capable of leading the upper pitch, I led the first pitch and made a V thread stance backed up with a blade peg.............

....James led off up the upper pitch and crux. The ice was actually quite good, but the main pillar was heinously steep and neither of us could avoid taking rests on screws. Unbeknown to us both, the finishing ice was missing and James had a bit of a time frigging his way up the final 20 feet to the tree belay over some dicey ice and rock. In the end he made the final belay and I joined him to rap back down. He seemed very spooked by the experience and is not keen to climb again this week. :-(

Off piste big time - Silverton Mountain, Colorado, 21 Jan 2011

James and I went over the high pass from Ouray to Silverton, in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. Above Silverton is a ski operation with a difference. One lift, guided skiing only, acres of off piste terrain, Colorado powder snow, hikes to new lines, high altitude, loadsamoney!

I might be smiling here, but later on my thighs were burning!! I rented K2 fat skis for powder and they literally murdered my legs trying to steer them through tight chutes and trees all morning. So much so that for the last two runs I reverted to my favourite Pocket Rockets.

Silverton Mountain is all about skiing powder snow. James laying down a track.

And taking a rest ................................................................................................!!

All but one run involved some hiking, this one a big hike at over 12,000 feet hard work!

But the drop into a steep couloir led to an immense powder slope.

Set amidst majestic snowy peaks of the San Juan Range

Spot the only skier in this landscape..............a Silverton powder field. Worth the walk?

Probably! Worth the money? Probably!

Ouray, Colorado, Main Street. An old mining town set in the dramatic San Juan Mountains
of southwestern Colorado. Base for most of this week.

Dramatic rock faces and peaks rise on all sides of the town.

We are staying at Rivers Edge Lodgings which are superbly comfortable and just two blocks from Main Street. Rooms are virtually apartments with a kitchen and lounging area and there is a hot tub outside next the Uncompaghre River.

The Box Canyon on the Uncompaghre, just above town is the setting for the famous Ice Park, where sprays are in place to enhance natual ice routes and add additional ones to the sides of the gorge. Climbers come here from all over the world to climb the steep cascades almost in town!


Chris leading the first route in the Canyon. Water Ice Grade 4.

James rapelling in to the base of our second route.

......and leading the route, a steep start leading to more steady ice all the way to the top.

A cold day and James got all the gear on!! :-) An interesting day. The ice was very brittle and rotten in places, but the afternoon was spent top roping three vertical to overhanging pitches.

Skiing at Telluride 20th January 2011

As powder snow started to fall, we arrived at Telluride Ski area.

Telluride ski field has some good terrain. As the day progressed the firm snow became blanketed in powder snow. The field was very quiet indeed. $98 for a day ticket!

Telluride is the place for glitzy ski lodges owned by the rich and famous....almost all of them empty. An incredible array of wealth. The town below has an air strip that takes jets from LA and Houston!!
As we headed back to our motel in Ouray the powder snow was deluging down.
A quick hot tub and then a fine dinner in Ouray completed an excellent day.
By the way, Kirsty and Sally, no cell signal in Ouray!!

Ouray, Ice Climb 19th January 2011

Drove from Grand Junction via Montrose to Ouray, Colorado, an historic small town set like jewel in the spectacular San Juan mountain range.

Above Ouray we drove into the mountains along the Camp Bird mine road and then hiked through the powder snow to the Skylight climbing area.

James checks out the routes..........

....and then Chris leads off up a first tricky pitch on "Skylight", a three pitch route WI4/5

The big second pitch was led by James. A magnificent pitch of ice set in a dramatic chimney cleft in sheer basalt walls.

Shot of james nearing the top where the ice narrows and was very brittle.

Chris reaching the top of the big second pitch.

The short final pitch was led by Chris, a steep step and final overhang.
A truly magnificent ice climb in splendid setting.