As i sit here and write the winter is not really over. 3 Days ago we got 5in of snow and right now it's snowing outside.
It is the end of ski patrol for this winter.
It was a good year. I had lot's of fun and some great times. I think the best times were when i was teaching avalanche classes. I love knowing that when these students leave me they have a healthy respect for the mountains in winter.
I won't be coming back to patrol full time next year but i will be back part time. We'll see how many day's they want me to work. I wish patrols paid more but they don't so i can't do it full time any longer. They say the pay is low because everyone wants to patrol. This is true but what they get are people who only do it for a short time and are not dedicated to the profession. At Keystone the pay is so low that our turnover is very high. We need a livable wage seeing as we're the ones keeping our guest alive. That's too bad but that's the way it is. I too can no longer be dedicated to patrol.
So, I'm moving to Boulder (I almost moved back to Aspen). I found a great little house with little yard to grow a vegi garden. I'll still guide for Aspen Alpine Guides and work for Neptune Mountaineering. On my time off I'll climb Eldo Canyon, do alpine routes in Rocky Mountain Nat. Park, run trails, ride my bikes and be with my friends.
So, this blog is shut down for the summer, it is called Ski Patrol Chronicles. Next winter I'll start it back up. It'll only be "Part Time Ski Patrol Chronicles" but it'll be filled with fun adventures of the winter.
See you next winter.
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2 comments:
Greetings!
Don't recall how i stumbled upon your blog, but i've enjoyed it.
I'm a pro ski patroller at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, finishing up my second year there and forth as a pro. I can certainly relate to your feelings on pay.
It's sad what we get paid, especially considering the amount of training we have to have (and keep updated) and the amount of gear we go through. Sure, if it paid more, more people would want to do it, but how many more would be able to do it?
Considering the large amount of "institutional memory" required to run an effective ski patrol outfit, especially on a large, avalanche-prone mountain, it's odd how little it gets recognized.
I know that very few of us are big fans of unions, but maybe it's time to start looking in that direction...
BTW, any chance you know Jeff Feragi over at Breck?
Have a great summer!
mark
Hey, I did a google search trying to find the Keystone Ski Patrol and you were all that turned up. I know this blog is old, but I hope it still connects to flesh and blood. Anyhow, if you get this could you email me back at James.Dannelly@mac-bsa.org?
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