Mount Crested Butte, Colo. —(for immediate release) — On the second stop of its nationwide backcountry education tour—the GORE-TEX Backcountry Magazine Basecamp—has teamed up with Patagonia, Crested Butte Mountain Guides, Crested Butte Avalanche Center and AIARE, and a host of other sponsors, at Crested Butte Mountain Resort on March 15-16 for a celebration of all things backcountry.
Featuring education, the latest gear and apparel and free, guided backcountry tours, Basecamp opens its yurts Friday afternoon, March 14th for the GORE-TEX U.S. Ski Mountaineering Championships registration. Races start Friday evening and run all weekend. (For more info on the Ski Mo races visit elkmountainevents.com)
On Saturday, Basecamp action starts early (follow the scent of bacon) with the first of two FREE, guided backcountry tours, which leave the yurts at 9:30 a.m. (the second group leaves at 1:00 p.m. and space is limited for both so sign up early by calling Tiff at Crested Butte Mountain Guides 970-349-5430 or email info@crestedbutteguides.com). Throughout the day there will be FREE equipment demos, Pros sharing tips and tactics on safe backcountry travel, plus the latest on snow safety, backcountry skis, boots, bindings, skins, splitboards and more.
“We’re excited to give newcomers the tools they need to get out there,” says Backcountry Magazine Editor in Chief, and Western State alum Adam Howard. “It’s our imperative to both educate and stoke our community. It’s in everyone’s best interest to be better informed and prepared for the backcountry.”
At 4:00 p.m. the party heads from the yurts to Butte 66 where Salem will rock the house and the Basecamp sponsors will raffle off more than $20,000 of gear, safety equipment and apparel with 100% of the proceeds going to the CB/Vermont-based International Avalanche Nest-egg Fund, the Crested Butte Avalanche Center, Crested Butte Avalanche Dogs, and Crested Butte Search and Rescue. You don’t have to be present to win. Tickets are $10 (or four for $30) and can be purchased through ski patrol and at The Secret Stash, The Last Steep, Izzy’s, The Powerstop (in Gunnison), The Hammer (in Gunnison), Teocalli Tamale, Mountain Spirits, The Avalanche (on the mountain), Flatiron Sports (on the mountain), Colorado Freeskier (on the mountain), Montanya Distilleries, Bliss Chiropractic and The Majestic Theater.
All the on snow madness will repeat on Sunday, including two more guided tours.
“We’re excited to work with our key partners to spread the word about what people need to do in the backcountry in order to stay dry and be safe. Backcountry is helping spread that message,” says Tom Boyle, Gore Strategic Marketing.
Following the Crested Butte stop, it’s off to Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Vt. on March 29-30 for the final weekend of the Backcountry Basecamp Tour. For more information on the Tour, visit backcountrymagazine.com/basecamp.
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About Height of Land: Founded in Jeffersonville, Vermont in 2002, HOL is one of the few remaining independent publishers in outdoor action sports. Our mission is simple: We are core, adventure-sports media by those who live it, for those who aspire to it. HOL print and electronic brands include Alpinist, Backcountry, Kronicle and Climberism.
About the Ian fund: The International Avalanche Nest-Egg is a non-profit fund designed to support the children and families of avalanche victims, as well as provide educational and preventative services aimed at reducing avalanche fatalities worldwide. For more visit Ianfund.org.
About the CBAC: The CB Avalanche Center’s sole purpose is to provide valuable and needed information and support to the community and neighboring towns. Volunteers and forecasters of the Center will observe, record, and report daily weather, snow pack and avalanche activity and provide regularly updated avalanche danger ratings accessible to anyone interested via telephone, internet, radio, and paper postings. For more about the CBAC visit cbavalanchecenter.org
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