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James Pulfer II

Colorado Native having spent a few years in Montana. An extreme snowboarder who enjoys rock climbing, fly fishing and mountain biking among other things. Lift Operations veteran of nine winter seasons at resorts such as Big Sky, Crested Butte, Telluride and Powderhorn.

Trip Report: Ouray, CO – Home to North America’s Newest “Via Ferrata” Route

If you’ve never heard of a Via Ferrata, you’re not alone. These routes are gaining popularity, and feel like somewhere between high consequence hiking, and rock climbing. All participants must wear a standard rock climbing harness, equipped with a “via” specific lanyard system, containing required shock absorbing cord. Additionally, a standard rock climbing helmet is worn. Gloves are recommended, while […]

Post Tag for Trip ReportTrip Report
James Pulfer | October 6, 2020
0 Comments

Western Colorado Fishing Report: Cochetopa Creek

I recently had the pleasure of teaching a good friend the art of fly fishing and some streamside Entomology. I chose an off the beaten path creek, to avoid more popular waters and their seasonal crowding. Cochetopa Creek is a tributary to Tomichi Creek, which then meets with the upper Gunnison River and flows into Blue Mesa Reservoir, which is […]

James Pulfer | September 22, 2020
1 Comment

Trip Report: Powderhorn Mountain Resort, CO Downhill Mountain Biking

Report from the weekend of 12-13 September 2020 I recently had the pleasure of riding a new (to me) Lift Accessed Downhill Mountain Bike course. It just so happens, it was at the same great little resort that I learned to snowboard (and ski a bit) many years ago. Powderhorn Mountain Resort has been hauling bikes uphill since 2016, with […]

Post Tag for BikingBiking
James Pulfer | September 16, 2020
1 Comment

Ritz Carlton Reserve Niseko Village, Hokkaido, Japan Opening Soon!

The powder paradise of Niseko Village, Japan is opening its first Ritz Carlton Reserve luxury hotel. The “Higashiyama Niseko Village” will have 50 rooms with access to the legendary slopes. They will feature two delicious restaurants as well as a lounge area for members. There will be a high-end day Spa and Fitness Center on-site as well to enjoy. Related: 4 […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
James Pulfer | September 5, 2020
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Denali National Park, AK To Expand Access

Denali National Park And Preserve intends to expand their season, as well as the infrastructure within. These changes are in response to a rise in eager visitors during the off-season months of September-May. Numbers are up 400% in the winter from years past, although that only accounts for a few percent of Denali’s annual visitors. Majority occurring in the summer […]

James Pulfer | September 5, 2020
1 Comment

Solitude Mountain Resort, UT Wants Ambassadors

Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah is looking for some enthusiastic new recruits to help create and capture media. The ideal candidate would be a Utah local, capable of committing a minimum of 2 days per week to bike or ride the resort. Someone who shows a genuine passion for snowsports as well as Solitude Mountain Resort specifically. Someone to help showcase […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
James Pulfer | September 3, 2020
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Fewer Flights Will Mean More Locals On Aspen, CO Slopes In 2020-21

aspen, colorado, coronavirus

Delta Airlines has decided not to service Aspen/Pitkin County Airport for the upcoming winter season. The decision was influenced by multiple factors, including uncertainty surrounding this ski season. Two flights per day between SLC and Aspen were planned for the summer before one got cut when the pandemic struck in late March. Delta has also cut service to Yampa Valley Regional Airport […]

James Pulfer | September 2, 2020
0 Comments

Bureau of Land Management Decides Not to Auction 85,000 Acres Near Moab, UT for Oil and Gas Development

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has recently decided not to auction 85,000 acres near Moab, UT. The land was set to be leased for oil and gas development. We the climbing community voiced our opinions, and the BLM heard us. The BLM planned to auction 85,000 acres, out of 100,000 originally applied for, this September. The Access Fund called […]

Post Tag for ClimbingClimbing
James Pulfer | August 25, 2020
0 Comments

Budweiser is Vying to be “Official” Beer Of Utah

utah, Budweiser, beer

The “king of beers” is trying to become the “official beer” of the Beehive state. Anheuser Busch InBev, the company that owns Budweiser, is vying for this title. They are attempting this through an advertising campaign, including this hilarious star-studded T.V. Commercial. Consumers will vote through Twitter using a specific hashtag, which will be counted in a running total. If […]

James Pulfer | August 21, 2020
0 Comments

Fire Season Shows No Signs Of Letting Up In Colorado

Three new wildfires started in the past 24 hours, all in Eagle County, Colorado, very close to where the #GrizzlyCreekFire is still ravaging the Glenwood Canyon area. The Murphy fire is burning ten miles outside Edwards, CO, and started Wednesday evening but is not advancing. The Camp Hale fire started Thursday, but they were able to get it contained within […]

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James Pulfer | August 21, 2020
0 Comments

Non-Stop Flights To Steamboat Springs, CO Now Offered

Southwest Airlines is offering more flights into the Steamboat Springs area than ever before. New this year, starting December 19th and running through April 5th seasonally, ski tourists from all over the nation will be able to visit Steamboat Springs and their legendary ski slopes, now with less hassle. Services will fly into Hayden-Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN), about 30 minutes […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
James Pulfer | August 18, 2020
0 Comments

Lizard Head Pass, CO Upgrading Avalanche Mitigation System

Lizard Head Pass on CO Highway 145, in Southwestern Colorado, is receiving state of the art avalanche mitigation equipment. In the months of August and September, 5 towers will be installed just outside the town of Rico, Co above-known slide paths. These towers will provide remote detonation abilities to CDOT’s arsenal on Lizard Head Pass. This project will be installed […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
James Pulfer | August 14, 2020
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Hometown Mountain Shoutout: Powderhorn Mountain Resort, CO

Just below the northern rim of the “Largest Flat Topped Mountain in the World”(Grand Mesa), lies Powderhorn Mountain Resort, CO (PMR). Offering more than 1600 skiable acres, just 45 minutes driving from Grand Junction, CO. PMR graciously receives at least 250″ of beautiful Colorado powder each season. Consisting of Spruce, Fir, and Aspen trees, Powderhorn offers incredible glade skiing. With […]

James Pulfer | August 14, 2020
0 Comments

Liquid Climbing Chalk Appears to Kill COVID-19 Instantly

Encouraging new research coming from the Anschutz Medical Campus, regarding liquid climbing chalk and the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. Two professors at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, along with a virologist have concluded through their research. Liquid climbing chalk does in fact kill the virus responsible for causing COVID-19. Ross Kedl and Michael Schurr are both professors […]

Post Tag for ClimbingClimbing
James Pulfer | August 14, 2020
0 Comments

Soldier Mountain, ID Scorched By Wildfire; Halts Bike Trail Opening

Soldier Mountain Ski Area near Fairfield, ID was slated to open a new Mountain Bike trail network this weekend. Unfortunately, lightning started a fire on Aug. 5th, paired with high fire danger in the Sawtooth National Forest. The fire exploded by late Friday and had tripled in size by Saturday, fueled by high winds. The fire sat at 684 acres […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
James Pulfer | August 10, 2020
0 Comments

Historic 2019 Avalanche Cycle In Colorado Creates Research Opportunity

March 2019 was a historic avalanche cycle in Colorado of great importance. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center, or CAIC, had reports of nearly 1000 confirmed slides during that cycle. The true number was likely multitudes higher. D5 is the highest possible rating on the destruction scale for avalanches. March 2019 saw 3 avalanches earning a D5 rating. Two of which occurred […]

Post Tag for AvalancheAvalanche
James Pulfer | August 10, 2020
0 Comments

Snowbird, UT Offers Free ‘Passholder Promise’ on All Season Pass Purchases

With all the uncertainties around this coming ski season, let alone daily life, Snowbird, UT is making it easier to justify putting the money down towards a pass. Snowbird is providing a new level of protection with your pass purchase, against any unforeseen closures within the season due to COVID-19. This newly created option is called the “Passholder Promise” and […]

Post Tag for Industry NewsIndustry News
James Pulfer | August 6, 2020
0 Comments

Mountain Biking One Minute, Taking Cover The Next! Steamboat, CO Bikers Come Under Gunfire

Two mountain bikers in the Steamboat Springs, CO area were enjoying a beautiful summer ride in the Buffalo Pass area. They were riding a popular trail named “Flash of Gold.” It was 7:20 pm last Wednesday when they started to hear gunfire nearby. They soon realized it was aimed in their direction and immediately took cover behind anything they could manage. […]

Post Tag for BikingBiking
James Pulfer | August 4, 2020
1 Comment

Bear Protection, Spray or Pistol? Or Both?

A Missouri man was shot in the leg this past Sunday in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. Interestingly enough, the man reportedly shot himself accidentally, when he set his backpack down. You can read the full article about it here. My question is; “what would one be carrying a gun for, on a day hike in RMNP?” If your answer […]

James Pulfer | July 31, 2020
2 Comments

8 New Wolf Pups For California’s Lone Wolfpack

The Lassen wolfpack has brought eight adorable pups into the world, the pack’s fourth litter. The litter consists of four confirmed males and two confirmed females, awaiting results on the other two pups. The Lassen pack stands as California’s only documented wolf pack and now sits at 14 animals total. Related: First Wolf Sighting in Colorado Since 2015 Confirmed as […]

James Pulfer | July 31, 2020
1 Comment

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