Trekking PWD11

As a new day dawned, A-basin's Eastwall and the Continental divide remained in shadow. The weather and avy conditions were bomber, so I parked at Loveland Pass (11,990 ft) and headed northwest along the Continental Divide toward Loveland Ski Area.

The lack of recent snowfall and high winds prevalent above 12,000 ft combined to scour most of the snow from the ridge tops. Though this eliminated all but the hardiest snow pockets in exposed areas, it did make hiking a little easier. Picture clawing the ground in an attempt keep from being blown off the face of the Earth.

Onwards and upwards towards the ridge line and looming mountain peak in the distance.

One must be wary of El Chupacabras.... Migrating from Puerto Rico, Mexico and South America in search of fresh meat, tranny tunes and the occasional chiclet, these rabid beasts have been known to hunt in packs and attack unprepared snowsliders at random. Luckily I was equipped with plenty of menudo to keep them at bay.

Used as a landmark to guide wayward travelers, this unassuming pile of rocks is a fine example of a Colorado style Inukshuk. Though not as super cool looking as their Canadian counterparts, this particular pile of rocks symbolized the Continental Divide and ultimately the division of the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds.

Wind effects were prevalent from the snow barren ridge tops to the crazy ripples etched into the remaining bullet proof snow drifts.

Nearing the end of my journey Porcupine Ridge takes shape in the distance. Look for the highest peak shrouded in snowy tastiness above my pointed finger.

Reaching the peak at 12,753 ft after a couple miles, and almost 2 hours, I was plum tuckered. Running out of menudo my time in bat country was limited, so I hightailed it toward civilization. On the left of the pic below you can see my descent line from the peak and to the right you can see Loveland Ski Area.

Relying on my finely honed skills of invisibility I escaped the chupacabras, infiltrated Loveland and was shredding amongst the masses before lunch. Taken from across the valley, the mountain I conquered is clearly visible in the center of this pic.

Helms was completely shocked that I would walk for 2 hours while constantly fending off hordes of chupacabras to get a little untouched goodness. Confused he asked if I knew about the lift from the lodge? Sometimes it's not as much about the lines that you draw, but the journey that takes you there.


Good god man! Is that a Girl Scout selling Thin Mints, or some deranged Scottish grounds keeper in a kilt?

After some fun follow-the-leader lines Helms and I ventured into the bar at Loveland's base and consumed the requisite tequila shots. A pretty sweet day of exploring the unknown, evading the man and filleting the goodness all in one fell swoop.

I parted ways with Helms and walked down through the parking lot to hitch a ride back up the pass. I wasn't standing there 10 minutes when some loony rodeo clown picked me up in his 3-wheeled circus mobile and zoomed me up the pass to my Suby. At the time I found it odd, but as I exited the vehicle Bubbles started ranting about some crazy troop of escaped test monkeys holding people hostage with precisely aimed barrages of fecal matter. Shaking my head in disbelief I closed his door and turned around to find said monkey troop assembled around me. Thinking fast I unlaced my boots, tied them together and countered their poo attack with the infamous whirling boots of furry. KaChow! Pow! WaCha! With monkeys flying this way and that I took the opportunity presented by their confusion to jump in my car and zoom out of that nightmare. Tragically I lost my boots, but once again I escaped with my sanity.