Hey thanks for visiting my site!
My name is Jordan White, and I have been climbing mountains right here in Colorado since I did my first 14er at age 5; San Luis Peak. I’ve come a long way since inching my way up that one, and now I enjoy climbing of all varieties.
Around the time I graduated from highschool in 2004 I had still only climbed 12 or so 14ers (though I had climbed the likes of Uncompahgre around 3 times). I headed up to school in Fort Collins, and climbed a couple peaks here and there but for some reason found the motivation to be lacking.
In May ’05 I was involved in a climbing accident that killed my father and left me with a broken leg among some other injuries. I spent most of the summer of 2005 recovering physically and emotionally, but at the same time had the constant itch to get back into the mountains. I was in a leg boot for 8 weeks, and then instructed to “take it easy” for 2 more after that. Finally I was cleared to get back in the mountains.
That fall I was cleared in the middle of September; and I took full advantage of it. Between school and ultimate frisbee, I spent every spare moment in the mountains. I ended up finishing the 14ers the following September with a climb of Pyramid Peak in Blizzard conditions.
Since then mountaineering has continued to challenge me physically and mentally and I absolutely love it!
During the winter and spring most of my energy is focused on skiing and ski-mountaineering here in Colorado, with the occasional trip to neighboring states or other countries.
The summers have been filled with all sorts of mountaineering including: alpine rock, scrambles, summer snow, and sometimes just a hike with friends.
In May of 2006 I skied the Christo Couloir on Quandary Peak over near Breckenridge, CO. I didn’t own a ski pack, a backcountry setup or even a pair of boots with a walk function at the time, but my dog and I made it up and down on full alpine gear. At the time I had no intentions or ideas about skiing them all. However, a short 3 years later, May 3, 2009, I skied off the top of my last 14er. At the time I was the 5th person to finish in a line of some of the state’s best ski mountaineers. I was proud just to be a part of them.
Today I spend most of my time skiing near Aspen, CO and the surrounding backcountry. I’m still a sucker for an expedition and with a few of those currently under my belt, I’m just looking for the next big trip.
Hope to see you out there.
Igor February 25, 2009
Hi Jordan , nice site.
I am planning an Elbrus trip this year, I was wandering if you used a travel company like AlpineAscents, etc or you did it yourself. Would you be able to recommend anyone.
Thanks,
Igor
Jordan February 25, 2009 — Post Author
Hi Igor,
We did all of our own airfare and travel around Moscow after the trip on our own but a company by the name of pilgrim tours arranged most of our rides to and from the airport and what not. Here is their website:
http://www.pilgrim-tours.com/
Doug March 29, 2009
Jordan,
Your story is amazing. I am quite inspired with how you’ve gotten after climbing the 14ers, and now ski mountaineering. Your determination is invigorating, and makes me want to keep pushing it in the back country as well. Good luck with your goals!
Doug
ryan May 5, 2009
Congrats. Jordan I would be curious what gear you settled on in the end. I assume you went through a bit and learned the cons and pros. For instance, what pack(s) worked best for you?
Jordan May 6, 2009 — Post Author
Ryan,
I can’t say that anyone pack that I ever had was perfect, but by far my favorite so far has been the Dakine Poacher. It has access from the back, ample storage for everything, diagonal ski carry and an ice axe storage that I can easily take out without removing the pack.
As far as bindings go, I’m finally sold on the dynafits. Though it took a while. Beyond ice axes I’ve broken just about everything I’ve ever owned, so I can’t say beyond a shadow of doubt that anything is the best yet.
ryan May 7, 2009
Jordan- Thanks for the reply and info.
I have actually been looking at the poacher, it is certainly feature filled and I like the ice axe holder. Personally I am a big fan of the diagonal ski carry, but of course most people lean towards the a-frame style for bigger ascents. The problem I find with the poacher is that it seems too big for a day trip. It has that big shovel/probe compartment, the nifty top loader pocket and then you also have the external ice axe holder, so I just can’t imagine how I could come close to filling up the main compartment.
Interesting about the dynafits. I need to give them a chance, i just don’t know if I would trust them on a big aspect with lots of exposure, of course i have almost no experience with them. I am still using fristchis.
Happy climbing
Jordan May 7, 2009 — Post Author
Ryan,
I think it depends on what your day trip ideas are. If you need to carry a harness, rope, crampons, plus food, water, clothing. It’s amazing how fast it can fill up. All that said, I’m 6’4″ 225lbs, so everything I own takes up more room than the average person.
I was a fritschi guy, still am, I still have a couple sets of boards with the fritschi’s on them. But the low stack height, with the rigid touring ability of the dynafit’s has been hard to beat for me.
I had a pretty big problem with the fritschi’s on side hills as I would miss the heel lifter because the toe had so much play in it (but I also have a size 14 foot). The ft 12’s are a pretty big improvement to the dynafit line, i keep them dialed at 12 and haven’t come out yet.
J