Stranded backcountry skiers return

by Andrew Travers and Troy Hooper, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

A pair of expert skiers emerged from the woods on the east side of Aspen yesterday afternoon, after spending a night stranded in the backcountry in blizzard conditions.

Training for the rigorous Elk Mountains Grand Traverse - a backcountry ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen - Zeke Tiernan, 32, and Sean Thomas planned to ski up Express Creek from Ashcroft to Richmond Ridge and then down the face of Aspen Mountain on Sunday.

Frontier landing in Aspen early

by Catherine Lutz, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

Locals planning an off-season trip to Mexico can now find a cheap flight on Frontier from Aspen three weeks earlier than expected.

On Friday, the low-cost airline quietly moved its start date up for Sardy Field service from May 15 to April 26, Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas confirmed Monday. Hodas announced the change on Plum TV's MorningNoon&Night Show on Saturday.

Council backs one beer rule

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

Aspen City Council did not find that the community development department abused its discretion when it told the Aspen Brewing Company that under the current land-use code, it could only serve its patrons 16 ounces of beer over a 24-hour period.

But at Monday night's meeting, the council did leave the door open for the brewery proprietors to come back in a month and make the case that the land-use code should be changed in order for them to have more latitude in running their business.

Base of Ajax planning begins

by Curtis Wackerle, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer

Last night's Aspen City Council meeting could be considered the puck drop on the master plan process for the redevelopment of the Lift 1A base area of Aspen Mountain.

Ex-Aspenite hoping to bring ski area to Pikes Peak

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Famed climber and former Aspen resident Harvey Carter is helping hatch a new ski resort on Pikes Peak within easy striking distance from Colorado Springs.

Carter, the founder of Climbing magazine, recently agreed to sell a 320-acre parcel for $4 million on the famous mountain to John Ball, former chief executive of Boulder-based Eller Industries. Ball is proposing to develop the acreage on Pikes Peak as a ski area, resort and condominiums.

Avalanche control delays gondola opening

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
The Silver Queen Gondola opened an hour late Monday morning, leaving hundreds of powder hounds waiting - toward the end somewhat impatiently - for their first taste of 13 inches of fresh snow that had fallen on Aspen Mountain.

It was at least the second major delayed opening of the gondola this season - the first falling on the first major powder weekend of the winter in early December, and a few shorter delays. But yesterday's was unique, said Aspen Mountain Manager Peter King.

Senior center closes doors for roof repair

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
The Pitkin County Senior Center closed its doors Monday after a ceiling leak that was covered with plastic developed a mold. Air quality tests are being conducted by Ecos Environmental Professionals.

"Ecos is using a huge fan they call an "air scrubber" to pull air out of the building," said senior services director Marty Ames. "It is so noisy we couldn't hear each other talk. We had to leave the building while mitigation is under way."

OBITUARY — Timothy Kennedy Donovan

Aspen Daily News Staff Report, Aspen Daily News Staff Writer
Sept. 13, 1944 - Feb. 20, 2008

Timothy Kennedy Donovan, 63, died on Feb. 20, 2008, at his home in Carbondale. He was born Sept. 13, 1944, to Robert and Katherine (Kennedy) Donovan in Cincinnati. He graduated from Chaminade High School in Dayton, Ohio, in 1962.

Update from Westwater Canyon

by Steve Skinner, Aspen Daily News Columnist
It has been a slow rafting season for me this winter. I usually get the boat out in December and January and go visit the ducks and geese somewhere along the Colorado River. I haven't even had my boat inflated since my last trip down Cataract Canyon on the Colorado in early November. This winter I have been skiing, working and focusing on staying warm.

That all changed last weekend when I made the first 2008 raft descent down Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River. I convinced two friends to join me on the stretch from Loma to Cisco, about 50 river miles. We arrived at the deserted boat launch at about 2:30 on Friday afternoon, under cloudy, heavy skies. During the summer, the launch would be jammed with boaters from far and wide, racing their way to the best camps and a glorious weekend at "Black Rocks." But on this day it was just a trio of hearty adventurers and a blue Hyside raft. Another friend pulled up and would float the first section with us, spending one night and leaving us before the thundering rapids in Westwater.

Clinton can't win

by Richard Cohen
There is dissension in the Hillary Clinton camp. Top aides have been in arguments, shouting back and forth about differences in strategy. Should Clinton come on strong? Should she go negative? Should she be upbeat and positive? Here's my answer: Stop campaigning.

The evidence is overwhelming that since Super Tuesday, the minute Clinton steps foot in a state, her numbers start to plummet. Of course, Barack Obama has something to do with it. He's a phenomenon, a political version of Roy Hobbs, "The Natural" of Bernard Malamud's wonderful novel, whose physical repose is TV perfect and who will, when the time comes, provide a jarring visual contrast to the much older John McCain. Obama is nearly as good as he thinks he is.

Idling a lame use of resources

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

Increasing fuel costs are making each trip with our vehicles more valuable. One way to maximize the efficiency of every gallon of gasoline we burn is to reduce or eliminate our idling times. Idling cars are not only a waste of this expensive resource, they are a risk to the health of many and a danger to the environment. If you need more reasons to eliminate car idling from your daily habits, keep in mind that these idling cars are getting zero miles to the gallon and idling is actually harmful to today's vehicle engines.

The organic food dilemma

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

As a food retailer, I am constantly asked about organic food and more specifically about organic fish. The best way to make sure you get what you purchase is to educate yourself to make sure what you pay for is what you actually get.

Listen to the troops

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

Our active-duty military personnel have spoken ... why are we not listening? Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul has received campaign donations from active-duty service people at a rate greater than all other candidates combined.

Identity crisis

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

My name is Jacqueline Daly, 43, from Basalt and owner of Jackie Daly Photography, not to be confused with Jacquelyn Daly, 40, of Aspen who was arrested at Carl's Pharmacy for prescription fraud last week.

Just wondering

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

Was the letter written by "Dr." T. Lankering a joke or was he serious? One thing is for sure, the guy definitely has an ego problem and/or is a legend in his own mind. It's obvious he has never taken a basic bacteriology course because if he thinks he can prevent or cure highly communicable diseases with good nutrition, he better go back to school. By the way, what exactly is a bio-energetic chiropractor? Get a life "Dr. Tom Lankering."

For the record

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Editor:

In response to Mindy Weston's letter to the editor of Feb. 21: Your letter has brought much sadness into my life. My friends are calling to inquire as to who you are. Please call me so that we can talk and I can know the source of your misinformation and find peace in our lives.