A figure from my recent multiphase paper published in the journal Physical Review E was chosen as a “Kaleidoscope Image”. You can see it on the front page of the journal’s website for the month of July:
http://pre.aps.org/kaleidoscope/pre/83/6/061602
Silverton Mountain
The second part of our ski trip to Colorado a few weeks ago took us to Silverton Mountain. It is a new ski resort that opened in 2003 with a different skiing philosophy. They have one lift that takes you to backcountry terrain that can be accessed via short hikes.
You ski in guided groups for safety and to preserve untracked snow. The idea is that you get to ski steep terrain with fresh powder.
Silverton Mountain chairlift
Hiking to the top.
The downside to Silverton is that it requires more physical exertion for fewer runs. We skiied 4 runs the first day, and 5 the second day. We happened to hit it just after a big snowstorm, but the thermometer also hit 60 degrees both days. There was great powder in the trees, but the snow in the sun was very thick and heavy. It wasn’t ideal, but we still had a great time and could appreciate the potential the mountain holds. The clear skies gave us great views of the surrounding scenery.
Storm Peak and the Grande Couloir.
Storm peak and the back side of Silverton, taken from the exit road.
The view from Tiger Claw.
Silverton is definitely a ski area for bros. The base lodge is a tent with a wood stove and no running water. It’s main purpose is to serve beer, and it has an interesting collection of bench seats from mini vans to for seating. The equipment shed is an old school bus buried in the snow.
When you finish a run, this bus picks you up and brings you back to the lift.
The base lodge is a tent. The equipment shed is an old school bus.
Inside the base lodge.
Skiing Palmyra Peak
After two days of powder and clouds at Telluride, the weather finally cleared on Wednesday, and we hiked and skied Palmyra Peak (elevation 13,320 ft). It definitely had the best snow and best views in Telluride.
The peak is 1,500 vertical feet above the Prospect lift, and the hike took about 1 hour, 40 minutes. It was grueling but worth it. It effectively ended our ski day! There were a few difficult to navigate bands of rock, and several stretches of loose rock. This picture taken from Gold Hill, shows the entire hike. The Prospect lift is on the right end of the ridge.
From the top of Palmyra Peak you get this spectacular 360 degree views of the San Juans. The peak comes to a point that is about 10 ft wide at the top.
