Attack of the Atomic Llamas: Day 1

Llama/ Ski Trip, Silas Canyon
Popo Agie Wilderness Area, Shoshone NF, Southern Windriver Mts.
July 1st, 2006

"Atomic" Llamas

I had so much fun the prior weekend up Silas Canyon that I decided it would be a great place to spend a few days with the whole family. I was lucky enough to acquire the services of a couple of my favorite Llamas for the journey- not sure it would have been possible without them. I'm strong, but skis and equipment for two, a 3 month year old and all of the provisions that go with her can get a bit weighty.

The plan was to pack 4 to 5 miles into Silas canyon and camp at the base of some couloirs around 10,000 feet, for a couple nights. I wanted to ski the couloir I'd left behind the last weekend I was there. This trip would also be Mandy's (my wife) first venture back into to the backcountry since Tallulah was born. It would be Tallulah's first ever backcountry experience, though at 3 months, I'm not sure she really cares too much. Ha!

Meet the "Atomic" Llamas...

Atlantic; a "hard core" professional packing Llama.

Pylon; well trained, experienced ski packing Llama.

Mandy leads Atlantic up the trail, on the way to our campsite.

Atlantic eyeing the grubs around the campsite I chose. The couloir to the left was my goal for tomorrow. The one on the right, which had melted out quite a bit, is the "Wishbone Couloir" I skied the week prior.

After unloading the Llamas and setting up camp, I had time to get a couple of runs in on the slopes right next to our camp. Turned out to be pretty good runs.

July turns in straw hat weather. Can't beat it!

The gear pile back at camp, with my lines in the background.

Mandy and the kiddo hangin' in the tent. Actually, I think it was Tally's bed time- her first night out in the wilderness. Awesome!

Pylon and Atlantic settle down for the night. Actually, for some reason, Atlantic decided to jump a small cliff and settle down right next to our tent. I'm not sure what he was thinking. I think he liked Tally.

Llamas, turns, and tents... always a good recipe. Later I had to move Atlantic though. Mandy said, although Atlantic might be better looking, she was already married to one wooly face and that was scary enough for her. Ha!

Tally bundled up and tucked in for the night. It's hard to find infant backcountry gear, we had to get creative. We found her stroller liner worked pretty good for a sleeping bag. It seemed to suit her. She sacked out pretty good for the night.