Berthoud Pass, or simply "Bert" to its Friends, connects the I-70 corridor (Yellow Brick Road) to the Middle Park basin and the headwaters of the Colorado River. This section of Hwy 40 gives access to Jones Pass (motorized) and Berthoud Pass (non-motorized) recreation areas, and follows the upper Clear Creek and Fraser River valleys. This is the place where I went deep into splitboarding -- literally and figuratively. Bert is where my awareness of avalanche safety began, and where I was lucky enough to ride with a group of fun and intrepid souls who love Bert with all of their hearts, devoting their time and attention to keeping her safe for others, cleaning up trash and operating as real stewards of her chutes, cirques, pillows, glades and wind-scoured peaks. I spent many days and nights volunteering on Bert's behalf, learning secrets from the hardcore locals, and diving into snow science and terrain management as a Friend of Berthoud Pass. A four-season adventure park that harbors consequential terrain, incredibly alluring vistas and remarkably complex views, Berthoud Pass brought me joy in so many different ways. It truly holds a special place in my heart.
