A Few Weeks of Fluff

Since Christmas, Wyoming has been blessed with many, many feet of fresh snow. A blessing for sure, but our avalanche danger has been quiet serious with the infamous rain crust on top of depth hore, and record amounts of snowfall sitting on top of this rotten ice cream sandwich. Reports most days have been high, warning people of disastrous consequences if caught. Seeing the Buck Mountain Avalanche really puts it all in perspective, and strikes a chord.

Needless to say, we have been scaling back our objectives during these "hard times," and enjoying some nice low angle treed runs while tip-toeing around avalanche terrain. I will never complain about too much snow and high avalanche danger. It is all about keeping it safe. Enjoy some pictures of "A Few Weeks of Fluff." Thanks to Matt Lloyd for the additional photos.

Jeramie harvesting in Grand Teton National Park:

Matt Lloyd catching an ice cream headache:

Looking for pillows on Togwotee Secret Stashes:

At least two inches of fresh in the Park:

Matt finds a nice little windlip:It has been a great couple of weeks here in Northwestern Wyoming. Looks like this weekend will be bringing the first of bluebird days in a long time. We are all praying to Ullr that the snow will start settling and those bigger lines will start falling.

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First Turns of the Season

Finally, the snow has arrived! Here in Wyoming I have been watching my friend, Steve Romeo getting out and making the best of the early season at TetonAT. Well, our season has started and the early birds get the worm.

I have to admit, I love early season turns almost as much as rippin' pow in cold, deep January. What is there not love? There are no crowds, you get to set the skin track, and it is just so great to finally be skiing or riding again. I hope you enjoy these pics taken this weekend on Togwotee Pass, WY.

Kevin and Al enjoying a wintery mountain morning:

Kevin looking into B-Couloir and getting ready to drop a sick early season line:

Kevin getting his second turns of the season. His first were on Bear Butte, South Dakota:

Big Al from Chadron, Nebraska (originally a UT boy) gets 'er done:

Finally, booting back out of French Spy Bowl on Togwotee Pass:

It was a great first day of the season! The waiting and anticipation for snowsliding is finally over. Now, we wait for those first face shots, gnarly lines, and many good times to be had this season. Game ON!

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3000 miles

Recently the Mrs. and I loaded up the family truckster with our offspring and some gear to tour the west for a few weeks. While the main goal of the trip was to visit friends and family, we (well, I) managed to squeeze in a little outside time.

The Sky Lakes Wilderness Area of Southern Oregon is one of the most amazing and under utilized spaces around. With a variety of entry/exit points, a multitude of trail options, and stunning views, this is a chunk of the Rogue River National Forest not to be missed. Those who have completed the Pacific Crest Trail have already seen the splendor this area has to offer.

Another spot we (well, I again) were (was) fortunate to visit was Yosemite Valley. The park is always a treat for you and the 64,537 other visitors there on any given day. Even on a weekday in late September I found the place jammed with tourons like me. With all camp grounds full, I was forced to rent an overpriced tent cabin in the housekeeping camp. The thought of not heeding the advice of metal signs and sleeping in my car crossed my mind repeatedly, but I’m a straight and narrow kind of kid, and I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

With a less than alpine start of 7:00 AM, I took a little jaunt up to the top of this place called Half Dome I had heard much ado about. The weather couldn’t have cooperated more and the trip was perfect, save a couple of issues I take personally:

Does anyone know how to say “cutting switchbacks is bad” in French?

Littering is another problem that blows my mind. How is it, as intelligent and evolved we humans are, some still think throwing a food wrapper or a water bottle on the ground in the middle of paradise is a good idea? WHY ARE PEOPLE STILL BUYING BOTTLED WATER FOR THAT MATTER?!


[pause for soapbox dismount]


Fortunately, I had room in my pack for the nearly one pound of garbage I hauled from the trial. A big thank you also goes out to the group of climbers that swarmed the park the same week to pick up what others leave behind.

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