Backcountry 101: Avalanche Basics

Skiing outside resort boundaries holds an increasing appeal to me, and it seems I’m not alone, considering the abundant backcountry gear options available in traditional ski shops and numerous mentions in the mainstream ski press.

For me, it’s a desire to explore new venues for my ski lust and to try new things along the way. Moreover, owning a condo at Solitude, Utah – where there are great lift-assisted backcountry options at the summit and many more at Brighton just up the road – definitely helps stoked my interest in earning turns outside the resorts.

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Greg Petrics of Famous Internet Skiers

Greg Petrics of Famous Internet SkiersWe first noticed Greg Petrics and the famousinternetskiers in December of 2009.  A early winter storm had dumped rain on most of the east coast, but at the highest elevations on the Green Mountain spine, skiable snow had accumulated.

The photos and accounts posted by Petrics and FIS on their website captured my imagination.  Who were these guys, who were doing exactly what I wished I was doing, while I was at work?

It wasn’t long before everyone in the ski blogosphere knew of them, and knew they’d raised the bar.  Greg Petrics, a founding member of FIS, agreed to answer a few questions. Our interview follows.

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The Blue Ledges on the Hudson, NY

The hike to the Blue Ledges on the Hudson is another Southern Adirondack classic. Accessible and beautiful, delivering in spades: a nice trail and an exciting destination for a small effort.

On the trail to Blue Ledges

To reach the trailhead take Route 28N north from North Creek. Turn left onto the Northwoods Club road, near the top of the big hill heading out of Minerva. Take it very far, over the bridge at the Boreas River, and then go three miles more to the trailhead at Huntley Pond.

To be fair, accessibility can be limited by rain, which can degrade the road and make the trail muddy. We saw none of that recently when he hiked the route at the end of an exceptionally dry summer.

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