Outdoors

Staff-AnnMellick
Ann Mellick

Tuesday, December 14, 6:30 p.m., Sheridan Opera House, Colorado Avalanche Information hosts a fundraiser. The event features ski and snow films courtesy of Mountainfilm in Telluride, including the feature, "The Edge of Never," as well as some shorts by local filmmaker Mark Plantz.  Beer (included in the ticket price of $15 to benefit CAIC's Northern San Juan field office) thanks to Stone Brewery. In addition there will be auction items, including a Telluride ski pass.

Since 1950, avalanches have killed more people in Colorado than any other natural hazard.The purpose of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center is to minimize the economic and human impact of snow avalanches on recreation, tourism, commerce, industry and the citizens of the state. With a staff of just 15 avalanche professionals, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center achieves its purpose two ways: forecasting and public education.

[click "Play" to hear Lance Waring's conversation with Susan]

 

Ski_The_Himalayas_LARGEIMAGE Telluride Inside... and Out recently announced the availability of an adventure documentary by local filmmaker/mountaineer Ben Clark on Dish Network Pay Per View.

The 90-minute "Ski the Himalayas" chronicles three climbers' attempts at climbing and skiing 23,390' Baruntse. Local mountaineers Ben Clark, Josh Butson, and Jon Miller spent 750 days attempting to climb one mountain in a way that had never been done before just to ski one run. A twist of fate sent the adventure into overdrive as the explorers met scenarios that forced them to ask; What is it really worth? They pushed forward anyway...

The catch: you need a dish and a Dish subscription to view "Ski the Himalayas." At least you did until now. On Saturday, December 11, 8 p.m., The Nugget Theater sponsors a special screening of Clark's film. The event is a fundraiser for Telluride's Horizon Program.

A day-long "Trainers Training" session for Telluride Adaptive Sports Program snowsports instructors was led by Program Director Tim McGough on Monday, November 29. The day was mostly devoted to sharing information, talking about areas to improve, but there was time in the late afternoon...

[click "Play" to get Erik's take on what's-for-Christmas]     On Tuesday, November 23, the annual Locals Show at the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art marks the soft opening the holiday/winter season in town. The hard opening is Wednesday, December 1, when locals...

Ski The Himalayas, a film chronicling three climbers' 2009 and 2010 attempts at climbing and skiing 23,390' Baruntse is now available on Dish Network Pay per View in HD and SD today through April 14,  2011.  In the 90-minute documentary, ski mountaineers Ben Clark,...

Telluride, Thanksgiving Day, 2010 There was a line to pick up my season's pass, and I spent some time filling out the paper work for one more season instructing for the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (my 12th year). There isn't much terrain open...

[click "Play" for Erik Dalton's discussion about the gear they used in Nepal]

 

SUMMIT THORANG PEAK Generally when a person reaches the top of whatever heap, he wants to hold on tight to his position. Not Telluride local/mountaineer Ben Clark. His objective was to get there and get down.
 
As many who followed Ben's adventure on his popular website skithehimalayas.com (or Telluride Inside... and Out) already know, he set out on October 14 on his ninth trip to Nepal with one objective in mind: summit Thorung Peak, a 20,200 foot peak in Himalayas. (In Spring 2010 Ben sprained an ankle attempting  Baruntse.) Mission accomplished in early November.

Editor's note: For eight years, Telluride local/mountaineer Ben Clark and a few friends/professional colleagues have made Spring treks to the majestic Himalayas. Follow his adventures on Telluride Inside... and Out, including links to his regular podcasts. If you have missed any of Ben's posts, just type "Ben Clark" into Lijit Search to find them all.

-2 We made it, we skied it, we are done in under two weeks with one ascent and one amazing descent. Our goal, to follow our noses to some of the best snow in Nepal, has been a success. Our summit day on Thorung peak occurred four days ago and we now sit in the comfort of Pokhara Nepal, 19,000 feet lower.

 

Editor's note: For eight years, Telluride local/mountaineer Ben Clark and a few friends/professional colleagues have made Spring treks to the majestic Himalayas. Follow his adventures on Telluride Inside... and Out, including links to his regular podcasts. If you have missed any of Ben's posts, just type "Ben Clark" into Lijit Search to find them all.

Folks, this is my ninth Himalayan Expedition. I have seen crazy stuff happen before, but never anything like this.  We are on our way to the mountains but nowhere near where I thought when we landed in the heart of the Annapurna range just days ago.   21a.thumbnail
 
If you know me well, you know I often joke about getting a tattoo across my chest of two tigers holding hands with the statement "Expect the Unexpected" emblazoned underneath. Well...it is because my life as an adventurer and explorer has put me into some of the most twisted realities I can or can't imagine. I live life daily and this week has been no different.