Turns above Christina Lake Ski Camp

Christina Lake Turns, December 20th/ 21st and 27th/28th- above the camp

Here's the "Big Mountian" above Christina Lake. Lots of lines. Still not filled in quite yet, but it's only December- March is the best!

I've dropped lines all over this, but on Dec. 21st, 2005 I climbed and dropped from right knob or ridge- the one to the right of the big one.






Here's what the view looked like from up top on big Mountain- looking down the southern most end of the Wind River Range. Way out there you can see the Oregon Buttes.

This is what the Mountain looked like a week later. After I got to camp, I had time for one run, the weather wasn't cooperative though (very windy 30mph gusts) so I didn't go high. If you look close you see my line and turns. Click on it if you wan to enlarge it.

The next day, the weather started clearing. It was still iffy and squally in the morning, so my first run was small. Fun turns though.

Looking down on Christina lake and my next fun run for the day! Might half qualify as a couliour? At least a training coliour. Ha!

What a blast. Check out those turns. Not quite powder, but close. A little soft slabby. Even though the weather was clearing, this made me think I'd better stick to lower angles, especially since I was solo. Mandy was back at camp. Also, my binding was a bit damaged. Couldn't resist making some turns though.

Oooweee!!! The weather kept getting better. Check out this line. It's only the bottom part of it! Damn, I wish I'd brought my good skis and had a partner who wasn't 7 months pregnant! Would have been a great day for the big stuff!

Speaking of partners... here's mine. Even though she's temporarily out of service for the big stuff, she still tags along. 7 months, okay. 8 months I don't think so. I don't think I'd do a very good job of delivering the kiddo in a tent 25 miles back in the wilderness, in the winter. I'm excited though. In a few years, maybe I'll have my own army of ski bunnies to help me tear up the backcountyr slopes.

(This pic was taken a few days before the Christina lake trip, up around Togwotee-kind of around behind Lava Mountain)

Happy trails and stay tuned for more. I head to Jackson and the Teton country tomorrow.

Christina Lake Camp

December 20th/21st and December 27th/ 28th 2005- Christina Lake Backcountry Ski Camp

On December 20th I set out with a camp to set up, by snow machine twenty some miles into the backcountry behind Lander to Christina Lake. Once I reached Christina Lake I skinned up and hooked up the sled. I pulled the camp up to an area around 10,000 ft., just below what I call "Big Mountain". It was about a mile or so pull. Lotsa work! On Dec. 27th, Mandy and I (after a buddy cancelled) headed back up to the camp to see if it survived a week in the Winds. This is what we found (above).

After a mile (she says two) skin up the mountian, Mandy was thrilled to find the camp intact. She was beginning to think I made it up. Not a bad day for someone who's seven months pregnant. Go Mandy!

I was happy it was still there too. I was pretty tired after dragging two dudes worth of gear and having to fuss with broken ski binding (flipped the sled on the way in and drug my ski).

Our new best friend! This stove rocks. No smoke and all heat. Way cool!!

Mandy and Shad loving the stove!







Our Bangtail Relite Montana Canvas tent rocks! The Cedar City Cylinder stove really cooks too!

Here's our camp at night. Snowed and blowed all night, but we stayed toasty and warm! Nice way to spend some Christmas vacation!

The next day, I got up and got some turns in above camp (see Dec. Big Mountain turns). The weather started to clear, and it was time to point the skis down hill toward the snow machine, back a the lake. What a pleasant outing.

Looking back at "Big Mountain" from Christina Lake and our snow machine. Our camp sets to the right of the mountain, just amongst the upper most tree line.

Greetings

Greetings!

More to come as I figure this blog stuff out. Might be an easier way to post my backcountry adventures.

Stay tuned.