Happy New Year !

Monday, December 30th, 2013

May the new year bring many magical, safe, backcountry days !

Crystal in Paradise

Thanks for all the great times in 2013

Chief Mel Whippin’ up some goodness

Sunrise on South Lookout Peak

A Little Beta While We Wait – The Real Deal

Sunday, December 15th, 2013

A little beta while we wait for the next dump. Wise up y’all !

We see group after group lug pounds and pounds of food and booze to the hut each year. Dragging 80 lb. sleds up the 3.5 mile road route to the hut. Then dragging half that back down in trash and extra crap. We provide food and all the blankets you need at the hut so you don’t have to do that.

Tip : Buy your meals at the hut and take a more exciting route to the hut.

Mels Perfect Pizza

Come in from the Telluride ski area, Red Mountain Pass, Ice lakes basin ……. Get a map ! make your own route !

Ronjas Couloir – Drops into Ruby lake from Columbine Lake

Paradise Basin in the foreground – Clear Lake behind.
Showing route into Clear lk. fr. Swamp Canyon.

San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act

Saturday, December 7th, 2013

Support the San Juan Mountains Act. Some might imagine that huts and wilderness don’t go together. Obviously, huts can’t be built in wilderness areas, but huts do help to protect the environment. By increasing the awareness and appreciation of the surrounding wild lands, those who might not spend time in the mountains can become comfortable with the wild and learn to defend it. This is the mission of the OPUS. You may have assumed it was all about partying and skiing.

Clear Lake ridge; Ice Lakes Basin

Clear Lake Basin

Paradise Basin

Goldenhorn shoulder – Ice Lakes Basin

Clear Lake Basin – Entry Ramp

Going through old photos yesterday I came across a few good ones of the front yard, which will all be protected under the proposed wilderness study area. In fact everything on the south side of Ophir Pass road would be protected.