A Weekend in the Missouri Basin

Still haven't had enough snow? Looking for one more opportunity to strap boards on and glide down a mountain slope (or two) this season, or just looking for a training opportunity for some upcoming snow and glacier travel? Then this trip is for you. Your four footed family members are also welcome, so long as no participants object in advance.

On Friday June 14th we will drive from Los Alamos to Buena Vista, Co., departing Los Alamos Smith's parking lot around 12:00 PM with an anticipated arrival in BV around 16:00. We will get dinner there before moving on to the Missouri Gulch TH. From there we will shoulder our backpacks and climb the 1600' vertical to Missouri Gulch and find a suitable site to set up camp. On Saturday, I am interested in getting up Belford and Oxford. I am hopeful that the NW Gully on Mt. Belford continues to hold snow and that it will allow an enjoyable ski descent. On Sunday, conditions allowing I hope to climb and similarly descend Missouri Mtn. We will then return to the cars and drive back to Los Alamos with an anticipated return in the early evening (estimated 18:00).

If you are interested and would like to do any snow and glacier travel training, please let me know as I always like to play those games, and I will include some necessary gear. I would like to share as much load (including tents, stoves, etc) as a team as we can.We can sort the carry of that out before leaving the TH.

All participants should have an Avy kit (transceiver, shovel and probe) as wet avalanches remain a potential concern. All participants should have some type of friction device for their boots (e.g. crampons, microspikes, etc.), and an ice axe is recommended and highly encouraged, especially if you plan to make for any of the summits in the area. The club has avy kits and axes available to borrow. Please let me know if you need any gear and I will gladly pick it up for you.

Plan on a camp dinner on Saturday night, two breakfasts and two days lunches, remembering that lunch starts immediately after breakfast and lasts until dinner. Also, bring bug juice as I anticipate that the mosquitos are doing well this year.

Any questions, call me.