Join us for a pre-season party to kick off the growing season.  Friday, May 17th: 6:00pm at Montanya Distillers

Local food + live music + silent auction + drinks
Wine and dine with us and find out about our gardening opportunities, support for backyard gardeners, new programs to “grow a row” and for helping people in need get fresh, locally grown food. Your support helps fund our all of our community food projects!
Featuring a delicious locally-sourced menu of appetizers, meat and vegetarian main dishes, salad, and desserts. Also live music from The New Folk, a silent auction, friends, and fun!

$10 suggested donation

2013 Irwin Outdoor Leadership Program

The Goal of the outdoor leadership program is to challenge, inspire, and empower teenagers while engaging in fun backcountry adventures.  Participants will not only partake in the adventure, but also go behind the scenes of the outdoor education, recreation, and guiding world.  Participants will not just be guided but rather be learning the pertinent technical skills involved with the specific adventures, such as; trip planning, Leave no Trace, navigation, map & compass, risk management, hazard identification (mountain & river), lightning, knots, belaying, rappelling, first aid, communication, and Leadership.  Participants are encouraged to partake in multiple outings to build on previous experiences to gain a comprehensive skill set.  The four-day backpacking expedition is meant to be a pinnacle trip to bring together all of the skills while traversing the Elk Mountains.

The Irwin Outdoor Leadership Program has been designed by Billy Rankin an experienced guide, wilderness EMT, and a 15-year Outward Bound Instructor.  All Irwin guides are medically certified with exemplary safety skills and have extensive experience working with young adults.  This program is partnered with Crested Butte Mountain Guides, Scenic River Tours, and the Adaptive Sports Center.

Irwin will provide transportation from the town of Crested Butte and provide all technical equipment for the activities.  Participants will need to have appropriate personal clothing and footwear for the activity, a small day backpack, 2 water bottles, Lunch, and snacks.  After signing up for trips more information will be sent out including a personal information sheet, a waiver, and a more detailed personal packing list.

All trips will meet at the Irwin Building at 330 Belleview ave in Crested Butte at 8:00 am.  For Peak Climbs meeting times may be earlier depending on weather patterns.  Most day’s will wrap up between 4:00-5:00 pm.

• Prices range from $60-$80 / day.  Discounts available for signing up for multiple days or the entire series.
• We have the ability to create custom trips outside of the existing dates for groups of at least 4 or more.
• Jr. Guide opportunities are possible for experienced or older participants.
• Scholarship’s available for the full series or backpacking trip

Schedule

Wednesday June 26^th Stand Up Paddle Board Skills Clinic: Lake & River Trip

Wednesday July 3^rd Whitewater Rafting / Inflatable Kayaking: Upper Taylor River

Wednesday July 10^th Hike Scarp Ridge, Lake Irwin Boating (Canoe, Kayak, SUP)

Wednesday July 17^th  Peak Climb: Ruby Mountain

Wednesday July 24^th  Rock Climbing & Skills Clinic

Wednesday July 31^st Peak Climb: Mt Owen or Purple Peak to Mt. Owen Traverse

August 6^th – 9^th   Four-day Elk Mt. Backpacking Expedition

Wednesday August 7^th Introduction to Fly Fishing Skills Clinic  *Must have valid Colorado fishing License

Wednesday August 14^th Peak Climb: Mt. Crested Butte: Technical climb on the Guides Ridge  *Must have participated in a prior rock climbing day or Peak Climb

* Trip locations and activities may vary depending on weather, conditions, group age, skills, fitness, and desires.

For more information or to sign up contact:

Billy Rankin

970.275.2745

billy@irwincolorado.com

To learn more about Irwin Outfitting and The Eleven Check out our websites:

www.irwincolorado.com

www.elevenexperience.com

Next winter, Francesca Pavillard-Cain is set to represent Crested Butte on the biggest stage in competitive freeskiing.  The 22 year old Crested Butte native took first overall in the Freeride World Qualifier series for the Americas, winning events in Taos and Crested Butte while taking second at Snowbird.  We recently got a chance to catch up with Francesca, who just completed her junior year at Western State Colorado University.

Photo: Trent Bona Photography

Pavillard-Cain is one of those people fortunate enough to grow up in Crested Butte.  However, the young lady is well travelled (a characteristic that shows in her demeanor).  When Francesca was ten years old, her family lived in Tumbacco, Ecuador.  During high school, she spent her summers in Leysin, Switzerland.  As a result, Francesca is fluent in both French and Spanish.  At the same time, Francesca supplemented her strong cultural education by attending schools that allowed her to develop her skiing potential. She attended the Crested Butte Ski Academy before attending the Lowell Whiteman School in Steamboat Springs.  Currently, Francesca balances her budding ski career with a Spanish major, a Business major, and a minor in Economics.  Despite her rigorous academic schedule, she manages to do it all very well.  “Im not sure I could do the same thing anywhere else. The school’s new Mountain Sports Program is a one of kind ski and snowboard program that allows athletes to train and compete in many disciplines while attending school.”

On her way to victory in Crested Butte. Photo: Eben Wight

Though she was always passionate, Francesca never thought she would be in her current position in the freeskiing world.  “When I was younger I always dreamed of being a pro skier but it didn’t happen until I gave up the expectation. This year I was simply looking to have fun and push myself, and that is when it fell together. After a win in Taos, NM and a third place at U.S.C.S.A Intercollegiate Nationals I kept telling myself I was content with my season and it didn’t matter what happened at other events. This took the pressure off and I could focus on having fun. The FWT didn’t even seem possible until after my win at Crested Butte, and it was an awesome surprise to make it.”

Francesca can hold it down in the park as well.

Like most Crested Butte natives, Francesca’s no slouch in other outdoor sports.  She hikes, bikes, and climbs very well, in addition to her newfound love for water skiing.  Despite being well travelled, it remains one of her passions. “My favorite place in the world is Montezuma, Costa Rica. I studied abroad there my sophomore year of university, I have never seen such an amazing sunset. If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to New Zealand. A few of my friends have traveled there and the views looks unbelievable.” In addition, the Freeride World Tour will take her to some of the coolest places in Europe.  “I am really looking forward to next season. Like I said this is an amazing surprise and opportunity. I would never be able to do it without help from Western State Colorado University, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Rossignol, Colorado Freeskier, and Habervision.”

We look forward to seeing Franny crush it next year.  It’s awesome when such great things happen to good people.

After a few of the rainiest days Crested Buttians can remember, Alex Stevenson and friends set out to ski some of the area’s best south facing aspects. Here is a quick recap of three peaks and 7000 vertical feet of alpine shred. If you haven’t been getting after it, now is the time to wake up early and slay some corn.

Post powder stoke in Red Lady bowl.

Thursday, Zach Vaughter and I set out for Mt. Emmons.  A few days rain and snow had kept me inside and I lost familiarity with the snowpack.  Another foot dropped in the alpine Wednesday night.  I wasn’t sure if the corn was freezing up under clouded skies.  I knew however, Mt. Emmons offers a variety of terrain options for different avy conditions, and powder could be found.  The heavy May powder bonded well to the old snowpack and was not drifted by wind.  This allowed us to ski the bowl with confidence.  It was Zach’s first time skiing the Lady and she couldn’t have offered better conditions on May 9^th.  The snow was surprisingly great through treeline, offering many tree bonks.

Friday, four of us had our eyes on Ruby Peak.  Bryan Mazaika, Julia Van Raalte, Alex Reidman and I had the sleds spinning around 7am.  A slightly later than ideal start was due to keys being locked in a running car(anything is possible).  We were able to sled up to the base of Ruby at 10,600 ft.  The new snow was easy to hike and we bootpacked a nice mellow pace to the summit. After a winter of conservative terrain selections, it feels awesome to get back up into the alpine.  Everyone enjoyed unobstructed views of the Elk range.

Bryan dropping into Ruby.

We dug a pit and were happy to see how well the new snow bonded to a mostly frozen corn base.  There was no propagation in an extended column test.  We opted to ski the south aspect, offering the best quality snow and 2000 vertical feet of wide open alpine.  Bryan dropped first, just before 11:00am.  The top section skied well.  The new snow was heavy enough, yet still cold so sluffs were not an issue.  The lowest section was very sticky and had everyone flailing some survival turns.  Another fun day in the hills put us back to the car by noon.

Sunday, Bryan and I took his sled back out to Irwin.  A warm Saturday caused most of the fresh snow to slide off east through south aspects.  All remaining storm snow settled and refroze well overnight.  Mount Owen’s south bowl still had a beautiful section that was not affected by wet slides.

Awesome light on Owen

Bryan and I were skinning up by 7:30.  Once at the ridge we switched to a bootpack, giving the huge cornices plenty of distance.  We continued past the false summit by 9:30 and soon stood atop Owen at 13,058 feet.  Other friends, Alex Reedman, Mike and Susan caught up to us at the peak.  We passed time by scoping other lines and planning our next missions.

By 10:30 the surface snow had warmed up perfectly.  I dropped first and was amazed by how ideal the conditions were.  The upper pitch is 1,400 vertical feet between 35 and 40 degrees.  It is nothing gnarley, but an absolute dream line.  I took photos of the next four skiers to drop and everyone was equally ecstatic at the bottom.  This week’s warm weather will destroy south facing lines, but luckily our crew did first.  It’s time to switch aspects and find some rowdier terrain.

Ranchstyle 2013 Slopestyle Highlights on Pinkbike

All Photos: Trent Bona

Jack Fogelquist throws a slick flip-whip off the pinkbike.com booter at the bottom of the venue.

Huge front flip to STOMP off of the hammock ramp.

Carson Storch floats a 360 off of the hammock ramp on his way to a 3rd place finish.

Dominic Megalli hams it up for the camera as he drops off the Red Bull starting platform and into his last practice run of the day.

A huge whip over the 45 foot gap of the Five Ten kicker.

Rider: Everett Garcia
Trail: Upper Loop

The Lupine trail is also open but be aware of a very recent mag-chloride application on Slate River road and maybe plan to ride the trail as an out and back.

Please, please, please ride through the snow plugs and stay the trail instead of going around them and making the trails wider!

Rider: Eliot Rosenberg
Trail: Lower Lupine

Other trails will be coming online in the next few weeks so stay tuned to the West Elk Project and follow us on Facebook for current trail status updates. Always feel free to drop me a line at trent@westelkproject.com with observations and updates from your latest ride!

Get out there to shred and share the stoke West Elk Crew – happy spring!

McConkey Trailer

“McConkey” movie trailer, 4 minute HD from MSP Films on Vimeo.

Schedule:

July 10- Lukas Nelson and P.O.T.R. (Rock)

July 17- Pato Banton And The Now Generation (Reggae)

July 24- Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds (Soul)

July 31- Sierra Hull (Bluegrass)

August 7- Dangermuffin (Roots Rock)

August 14- Mingo Fishtrap (Motown)

August 21- The Drunken Hearts (Americana/Jam)

August 28- The Pimps of Joytime (Funk)

Well done CBMR.  We look forward to an awesome summer.

Spring Skiing from Ian Borgeson on Vimeo.

May 14^th: Rattlesnake, Becks, Notch, Collarbone

May 16^th: Ring Dike, V-Drop

May 21^st: Rattlesnake, Tech Becks, Freefall

Registration fees are $20 per race or $50 for all three.  After the final race, an awards ceremony and gathering will be held at the Last Chance, where both the male and female overall winners will receive a $50 bar tab.

Like “Gunnison Guides” on Facebook to keep informed on any race developments.

Email BenjaminJackson@Western.edu for pre-registration.

Cross training is important, you never want to enter a ski season out of shape.  So I took the liberty of beach living in Thailand this November.  Rock climbing and SCUBA diving is one way to keep the body trained, and tanned.  This provided much more physical activity than pulling tubes on the couch, which how off-season is typically spent.

The Lion King, Tonsai

Once back in the states, sell the car and buy a sled.  Winter parking regulations make cars too difficult anyway.  Here in Crested Butte, the notorious Kebler trailhead is a quick two-mile hitchhike from town and you can leave your sled parked there for the season.  Not to mention the free shuttle from town to the ski resort, or the ability to foot it to work everyday.  Transportation, CHECK.

Her name is Valerie, and she’s a creampuff.

Live cheap.  I slept on the floor most nights.  Except when the ladies came to visit, then I got to use the pull out couch bed.  I did alright, but don’t expect to be killing it when you’re bumming.  After spending summers in a tent the floor seems nice.  Plus, what business do you have doing in your room outside of sleep?  Shouldn’t you be riding?

Couch and floor options. I’ve got multiple beds!

Stop grooming.  Grow the biggest snow-net you can on your face.  Bushy beards are incredibly multi-functional.  They help trap heat so you won’t need that lame face gaiter anymore.  Ski bunnies love them too (think moustache rides).  Your beard helps dictate to others how ‘bummy’ you are, so employers won’t expect much out of you.  And they catch snow trophies.  You know you’ll be throwing up tidal waves of snow all season, flaunt it.  Negative side: people will want to follow you and blow up your lines.

“Don’t follow me, I don’t know where I’m going!”

Now that all those formalities have been dealt with, get after it.  Earn it, when necessary.  Before I had a season pass lined up, I was boot-packing up the ski resort and ripping pow days on lifts where tickets weren’t checked.  Hiking at 7:30am gets your body warmed up so you’ve already got the edge over those under-stretched fools riding the lifts.  Plus it’s great training for all those backcountry missions.

Guns on Gothic

Take a hut trip, a ski bums best friend.  Economical vacation.  Stuff as many dudes as possible into a tiny space and shred everyday.  Costs are kept minimal with more buddies, all you can do is eat, ski, party.  You’ll be eating cheap, typically a Costco trip is involved.  And drinking whatever booze you’ve trekked in, so you can’t blow all your money at the bars or going out to eat.  Just hope you don’t lose all your flow playing dice in the hut.

7 dudes 1 hut . com

Stay healthy, rip hard.  With a lifestyle revolving around riding, it’s a bum’s duty to kill it.  Here are a few snapshots of how much harder than you I tore it up this season:

I was the only snowboarder this day… does my line stick out too?

Super Mario World. Photo: Gradow

Hit Every Pillow Photo: Gradow

How To Disappear. Photo: Gradow

Oh yeah, the party scene.  Ski bumming just isn’t the same without celebration.  You’re reading the words of royalty, this year’s King of Soul.  You’re welcome.  Crowned during a ferocious dance off, I’ve got all the moves the ladies love and the fellows wish they had.  Shortly after the crowning, my duties required me to bring the party on closing day.  A local softball team provided the beer, I provided the party vibes.  I devoted a quick 10-minute build session on a kicker just big enough to backflip the party pit.  Last day of the season = naked backflip.  Somebody has to do it.

Party like its 1974

King shows em how its done. Beer in hand backside 180. Photo: Justin Dersham

Crushing.  One word to describe my 12/13 winter season.  Plenty of riding and partying, not so much working or grooming.  So there you have it, a quick picture book account of this King’s season.  Hope you all had as much fun as I did, but I doubt it.  Keep bumming!

The King of Soul is Nick “The Thrill” Hill.  But you can call him your highness.