WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020

In this episode, BD Ambassador Mike Barney and Doug Krause, Irwin Cat Skiing’s Snow Safety Director, are humbled in the presence of a powerful winter storm raising the avalanche danger to high in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.    

Video: Jason Ebelheiser

As a longtime professional ski guide, Barney spends nine months a year skiing and guiding in mountains all over the world. But even he gets antsy when the snow starts to fly.  

“It’s poor visibility and high avy danger,” he says. “But we are out getting some exercise and making the best of it.” 

Barney and Doug navigate high avalanche danger while storm-skiing and keeping it real in Silverton. If you are planning on riding the backcountry for a long lifetime, every day isn’t going to be epic. But it might be another day of working towards that perfect run.

MORE STORIES

Indian Creek Rack

INDIAN CREEK RACK

The essentials for sending splitters in the desert.

READ ARTICLE
Black Diamond Presents: Hard Sends with Seb Bouin—Le Chant des Muses (5.15b)

BLACK DIAMOND PRESENTS: HARD SENDS WITH SEB BOUIN—LE CHANT DES MUSES (5.15B)

Watch BD Athlete Seb Bouin find inspiration in an undone project near his home in...

READ ARTICLE
Black Diamond Presents: Hard Sends with Seb Bouin—Le Champs des Muses (5.15b)

BLACK DIAMOND PRESENTS: HARD SENDS WITH SEB BOUIN—LE CHAMPS DES MUSES (5.15B)

Watch BD Athlete Seb Bouin find inspiration in an undone project near his home in...

READ ARTICLE
Making Of The Mission Duffel

MAKING OF THE MISSION DUFFEL

True Alpine-style. 

READ ARTICLE
Anything But Mid: How to Navigate the World of Midlayers

ANYTHING BUT MID: HOW TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD OF MIDLAYERS

Our essential layering picks for cold-weather mountain pursuits.

READ ARTICLE
Gear Myths: Does Anyone Use Stoppers Anymore?

GEAR MYTHS: DOES ANYONE USE STOPPERS ANYMORE?

They started the clean climbing revolution; now they may be a relic of the past.

READ ARTICLE
The Founder

THE FOUNDER

A film about the life of Peter Metcalf and the creation of BD.

READ ARTICLE
Black Diamond’s Love Letters to Indian Creek

BLACK DIAMOND’S LOVE LETTERS TO INDIAN CREEK

Bears Ears National Monument has been reduced (again). We are angry, but our love for...

READ ARTICLE
The Black Diamond Fleece Guide

THE BLACK DIAMOND FLEECE GUIDE

Fleece that provides foundational warmth for any pursuit.

READ ARTICLE
This Year I Lost My Mind

THIS YEAR I LOST MY MIND

Featuring BD HEX Athlete Zach Galla.

READ ARTICLE
Black Diamond x Norda Lookbook

BLACK DIAMOND X NORDA LOOKBOOK

In this photo essay, photographer Forest Woodward followed him through the hills and ridgelines of...

READ ARTICLE
The Yosemite Rack

THE YOSEMITE RACK

Climbing essentials for the Valley.

READ ARTICLE
The Technology Inside the Solution Collection

THE TECHNOLOGY INSIDE THE SOLUTION COLLECTION

How PrimaLoft® Gold Cross Core® powers our shutdown insulation.

READ ARTICLE
What to Wear Hiking in the Mountains

WHAT TO WEAR HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS

Essential apparel and equipment for high alpine hiking.

READ ARTICLE
How To Choose Climbing Shoes

HOW TO CHOOSE CLIMBING SHOES

Choosing the right pair of shoes is a crucial step for success, from gym bouldering...

READ ARTICLE