10th Mountain Division Hut Trip

Hello, last weekend we made our annual 10th Mountain Division Hut Trip with a group of 16 friends from around Colorado. This year we went to the Harry Gates Hut which is between Aspen and Vail. 10th Mountain Division Hut Association
For the first time, I snowshoed rather than skied. The first 3 miles of the trail were steep, narrow and icy. The last 3.7 miles were up and down on a snow-packed road. Snowshoes aren't as fast as skiing but much safer.
Our friends Darrell and Dana drove our backpacks most of the way to the hut with their snowmobiles pulling a sled. Snowmobiles aren't permitted on the first part of the trail so they went the long way around and met us on the road and then had to park about a half-mile below the hut.
It was a long hike in carrying a day pack and a camera. It took me almost 4.5 hours!
Using the snowmobiles adds a nice safety factor if anyone has a medical emergency, gets lost, etc. Plus they allow you to take more supplies in such as food, wine, beer, snowboards, etc.
The weather this year was almost perfect - not too cold, not too hot and lots of snow. Last year we left for Uncle Bud's Hut in a huge blizzard.
After a good nights sleep, Sara and Jason decided to build a jump for their snowboards while others spent the day hiking or snowmobiling around the area. Four members of our group could only stay one night and hiked out early on Sunday.
On Monday morning we prepared a huge breakfast including Mimosa's, we even added a few raspberries.
Then it was time to clean up and pack up. It only took 2.5 hours to get back to the trailhead. If you would like to see a slideshow of trip, CLICK HERE: Winter Hut Trip

Extreme Winter Sports

Hello, last weekend I was hired by Alex, a bride from one of my weddings last summer, to go along with her husband Jay and his buddies into the mountains on their snowmobiles to the top of the continental divide where they snowboard or ski down extreme chutes and off cliffs. Alex gave this photo session to Jay as his birthday present last November.
Wow, what an experience! Click here for an Extreme slideshow. Extreme slideshow. It was quite a ride just to get to the top and then the wind was blowing at times 40-50 MPH as these guys negotiated which chute they wanted to drop into. Jay listened to the song White Wedding by Billy Idol as he made his first run so that is the song on the slideshow! Don't worry no one was hurt during this adventure and please don't try this unless you are ready to turn Pro.
After a few runs from the top and grilled bratwursts for lunch, they decided to jump off some cliffs in a gladed area to finish off the day before the sun went down.
If you would like to see Jay and Alex's wedding slideshow click here, Jay and Alex wedding. And if you want to see their engagement session which was shot on one of the coldest days last winter click here, Jay and Alex engagement.
Thanks for another wonderful photographic experience Alex/Jay.
Cheers, Kent