Summer, What's Summer?

I'm not sure if Colorado has decided to play the longest April Fool's joke known to man, or if it's just decided to exclusively host winter. If you haven't heard the word, Colorado has A LOT of snow. Not the "a lot of snow" where the peak hiking trails won't be open for another week... It's a lot of snow to the point that Keystone Ski Resort, that has been closed for 6 or more weeks, decided to reopen this weekend. It's "a lot of snow" to the point that ABasin has extended it's closing day into July. A lot of snow to the point where cities down river are planing for catastrophic flooding. And even a lot of snow to the point where Mother Nature said forget it and decided to just keep sending snow instead of rain.

Below is a collection of all things snow. The first is a video taken May 5th of Loveland Pass, Colorado, from the Loveland Ski Area parking lot to ABasin's. A few feet of snow have actually fallen since this video was taken. *Note that the real snow doesn't start until 1:35.


Next is an article from Weather.com about the flooding concerns in the west... something I never thought I'd have to worry about.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/flood-fears-west_2011-05-20

The next is an article that actually concerns the state of Washington, but I found it relevant. It seems like the whole West is dealing with snow concerns right now.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1387344/Washington-State-Route-20-Highway-buried-75FEET-snow.html

And lastly, some pictures Keystone posted on their facebook of their reopening this weekend... Absolutely insane.

Best of 2010/11

This will be my last post for the end of the school year. Last year I ended with my favorite photos from the year, so I think I will do the same for this year- it will be a tradition! Keep checking the blog this summer though, as I will be posting through out with all my summer adventures!!

As always, I apologize for the quality of the pictures... 98% were taken on my iPhone. And don't forget to click them for a larger view!

Best of Sunrise / Sunset / Sky Photos
At home in Breckenridge.

From my house.

Coming home from class in Dillon. Looking at Buffalo Mountain in Silverthorne.

Coming down from my house, looking towards Frisco/Silverthorne.

In Breckenridge.

In Breckenridge.

From my house.

Looking at Breck Ski Resort.

Even caught a few sunrises in Salt Lake City!

 Even the not-so-colorful ones are cool.

A mountain peeking through the low spring clouds at Copper Mountain.

It snowed for three days straight before I took this picture. We got a quick glimpse of the sun before another storm moved in in April.

The most recent sunset, taken last week at my friends house.

Earlier this season driving to Copper Mountain... this isn't photoshopped.

After an early season storm in Breck.

Best of Winter
My roommates made a snowman after the first real snowfall of the season.

 

Breck's new 22ft pipe that I fell in love with.

 Me, disappearing in a plum of powder!

See that girl on the top of the podium? Yeah, that's my bestie! 

Denver Big Air, funnest event of my life. Look at that crowd!

My mom coming out to visit and learn how to ski!

Best injury of the season: My friend Matt's face. Three broken bones and a surgery later, he's doing fine!

 Out of bounds between Peak 6 and 7 at Breckenridge on a pow day... one of the funnest of my life!

 Along the road leading up to my house. CRAZY!

Driving through the desert on my way to Utah.

An extremely fun mountain. Snowbasin, Utah.

Best of Fall/Spring
Fall in Breckenridge.

 

Hiking Baldy Mountain with some friends in Breckenridge.

 Hiking Peak 10 with some friends in Breckenridge. Standing at 13,250ft.

 Now that's what I call a true friend!

Off-roading in Breckenridge.

I fell mountain biking this past fall. (The snowflake is part of my tattoo.) The scar is just as gnarly.

A monumental photo, though simple, taken last week. My first ride on my first dirtbike that I've waited for for over 11 years.

What Month Is It?

Thursday was the first sunny day in a long time, and thankfully it was decently warm too. I got to ride my dirtbike for the first time and it was beyond fun. It took me a while to get the clutch down the first time... it's been a while since I've used one, and I've never used one on a normal sized motorcycle. I would move maybe a foot and it would stall out, HAHA! It was very frustrating, but after about 20 minutes I finally got it and didn't stall it the rest of the day!

 

Then yesterday it decided to cloud up and start snowing again... And not just snowing... it was DUMPING. I woke up this morning and was almost confused about what month it was. 

500"

Well, it's official- Breckenridge hit 500" for the season!

That is approximately:
12.7 meters
13.9 yards
41.6 feet
1,270 centimeters
12,700 millimeters

Or in other words...

A LOT OF SNOW!!!!

Loveland Pass, CO 

On the note of a lot of snow, I found out that A-Basin's closing day is June 5th, which is my 21st Birthday!!! I am beyond excited that I will be able to ski on my birthday! I'm hoping a good amount of my friends are still in town... that will probably be the best Birthday of my life!

As much as I love the snow I was really looking forward to a nice day today, though. I'm picking up my dirtbike later this evening and I was really looking forward to being able to ride it. I've been waiting for this day for 11+ years and now I have to wait even longer, gah! It's been dumping on and off all day... but that's April in CO for you!

I also just thought I would thrown in a picture of my mom (left) and I from her trip out here. She looks like she could be my sister, huh? Love you, mom!