tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post6039177630554285175..comments2024-02-27T11:26:39.655-07:00Comments on Southern Rockies Nature Blog: Of Avalances, Machismo, and Derring-DoChas S. Cliftonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923547685265741325noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post-43258783135303651452015-11-29T10:31:30.608-07:002015-11-29T10:31:30.608-07:00That's absolutely classic!That's absolutely classic!Chas S. Cliftonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00923547685265741325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post-52849833538432246422015-11-29T09:31:34.968-07:002015-11-29T09:31:34.968-07:00PS That should read "above Leadville". ...PS That should read "above Leadville". Sorry!Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14316091005058053074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321070.post-4758223124178676292015-11-29T09:30:03.131-07:002015-11-29T09:30:03.131-07:00I was once skiing in the backcountry, high about L...I was once skiing in the backcountry, high about Leadville in the Mosquito Range, a bit above timberline. I was skiing alone, itself a big no no... it was a heavy snow winter. I was skiing into a bowl, as I went I looked at the slopes ringing it--the snow was hanging over everything, looking like it could let go at any time. I was rather nervous, but kept going up in the floor of the bowl. Suddenly the ground erupted all around me, with a very loud roaring noise. I closed my eyes and said to myself, "Well, here it comes, goodbye world". After a few seconds I noted that I was still alive and upright. I opened my eyes and saw that I had skied right into the midst of a flock of ptarmigan, they were in their winter colors, of course, and pretty much invisible on the ground. The sound was the popping and roaring of their wings as they all took flight around me. I like to crapped my pants. I figured it was time to turn around and go home, and I did. Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14316091005058053074noreply@blogger.com