Quivers for All!

Coloradans love their quivers, there is no questioning that; you can talk to just about any active local Coloradan and many of the folks that have moved here and are blending in, what their favorite ski, bike, climbing shoes, fill in the gear blank. You'll likely receive a response something along the lines of "Well...for_____? Or ________? I've got my powder, rock, resort, backcountry, nordic, skate etc. skis for all those different conditions (or lack of), or downhill, crosscountry, cruiser, road bikes...or slab, offwidth, thin crack, sport, all day, climbing shoes."  

Photo by Elliot Bernhagen

I realized this morning while driving from a local bouldering area to scout out a new fly fishing area, before swimming some laps and going for a mountain bike ride with my uncle, that I have quivers for my quiver of sports. Yes, I have a problem and I'm not trying to solve it at the moment, as the more that I considered it I began to consider that this might be the key to dealing with unexpected variances in weather, energy levels, availability of partners etc. This spring has been rainy and full of work and so climbing has been side lined in favor of fly fishing and a bit of mountain biking. When weather has been better and partners more abundant, I climb. It's been awesome because it means that instead of wallowing in a coffee shop while it rains I still get outside (I do also acknowledge that here in the west I've been spoiled by the 330+ days of sun each year). 

Not stellar ski conditions? Try ski blading!
Photo by Todd Babos

The downside of course to all of this is those dolla billz, and finding ways to fund all of these experiences and passions. I find that I am constantly turning down more sports because I lack the room in the van for a kayak or surf board and because those funds are better spent on refining my current quivers. Growing up I always thought of myself having a summer activity and a winter activity and that was my quiver. I find it's not quite so simple any more with the fair and foul weather outdoor pursuits for every season...but eight sports isn't so many right? 

How many sports are in your quiver? Why? Which would you like to add?

Perfect temps in a nice weather window on Moonlight Buttress in Zion N.P.
Photo by Derek Chang

Great weather on a ski tour in the Elk Mountains.
Photo by Todd Babos

Sam's Winter misadventures - Highlands and Owl Creek

Through work I have the unique opportunity to go out on adventures using gear sold at the Ute and abuse it/get a feel for how it works. With a short write up and a few pictures we get a pat on the back and after enough a bit of cash in hand. I figured they'd make decent little write ups on here to keep it fresh and mix it up from the monotonous van life drivel that I've been spouting recently. So here is the first of hopefully a whole passel. 

Just the other day I went skinning up Highlands with Maximilian, we ventured forth seeking the sickest, gnarliest pow to schralp but all we found was cat crud and the ski patrol hut.

The outing took about 3 hours including pee and whisky breaks, we met many nice ski-mo folks; which completely changed our perceptions of their elitist ways. We now understand that they also just like to go fast but their internal compass is off by 180 degrees. The sky was clear the snow was old and all in all it was a delightful outing.

After skinning up Highlands and skiing back down on the jittery Fishers, Maximilian and I decided to take the adventure up a notch and drove up Owl Creek road to scout out some bowls that were just little hills. However while out and about I scored at least 20 siiiiick ankle deep pow turns before poling across an open meadow back to the car. This outing included a 5" deep pit to discover that there truly was very little snow except on the road (the only place we skied), a slight fiasco reassembling the split board, the realization that we were not where we thought we were and a bunch of quality chuckles. Our mis-adventure lasted a couple hours and was not too exhausting.

Gear taken out included:

OR centrifuge jacket

Dynafit Radical ST bindings

Folsom Completo skis

BD ascension skins

Scarpa Maestrale

Julbo Sunglasses

BCA snow study kit

G3 Ion Bindings

Fischer Hannibal 94s

BD ski traverse poles

Was a pit necessary...absolutely not, but it was fun.

Splitboard strugglefest.