Southern Wind River Winter Adventures

Turns Before Trick or Treat

2009-11-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

Turns Before Trick or Treat
Absaroka Range
October 30th and November 1st

Jack-o-Lantern courtesy of Tally and Seamus

Friday, October 30th

First real turns of the season, for me.

With one elk in the bag, and a three day weekend on the calendar- and snow in the hills, it was time to focus on hunting some powder. I decided to do a solo tour around the base of Sublette Mt. on Togwotee Pass. It was cold snowy and very windy. I got some turns in though.

Looking down on part of my first run.

Looking back on a couple of runs.

Happy to have icicles in my beard again!

Lots of North facing tree skiing- other aspects were pretty thin.

Sunday, November 1st

Getting ready to head up Two Ocean- would seem right to start they season without it!

Two Ocean Mountain on Togwotee Pass

On top of Two Ocean, the Tetons it the background.

The snow was deeper- though it was good, it was a little wind effected and a bit creamy. Can't complain too much though, for November.

After few runs, it warmed up pretty good- almost too much.

It was so warm when I got home, I couldn't resist- I had to ride. Turns of another sort I suppose.

Nearing the end of a great day. Powder turns for breakfast and a road ride for dinner!

Absaroka Hunting

2009-10-11T19:42:00.000-07:00

Hunting in the Absarokas
October 10th and 11th, 2009

The Cabin

The Cabin Interior

Headed up to my folks for some deer and elk hunting this weekend. Lots of snow. Dad drove his jeep up into the cabin in a blizzard Friday night. Hadn't heard from him since he cleared the last high point before dropping into the cabin. Figured he was safe, but it gave me a good reason to get out and up there- check and make sure anyway.

My transport up the mountain, to the cabin.

Once I got up there and found everyone in one piece still, figured it was time to hunt. Decided to try a new method...

I tried hunting off of skis this weekend.

Conditions were perfect for it.

My first turns of the season!

Looking towards the East Fork, getting ready to sail back down to the cabin.

Ski Hunting Video

Never saw anything to shoot at, but the XC skiing was good!

Dad, speckin out the elk tracks from the night before, that went right by the cabin, Castle Rock in the background.

Good stuff!

Dad and his two Jeeps (the dog's name is Jeep).

Driving up out of the cabin.

Looking into and up the Wiggins Fork Canyon

Dad climbing up out of a steep draw above the Wiggins Fork.

Didn't really see much this weekend. A couple of Elk ran by the cabin Saturday night, about a mile away. A deer or two, here or there- nothing worth shooting. Not much shakin' up the Wiggins either. After I left though Dad went back up Bear Creek, where we had scene sign of some bigger herds, and got into them- a group of 40 or 50 elk. I guess he shot a few times (out of range) and chased the heck out of em' till it got dark. Maybe he'll get one tomorrow. When I got home, I heard Barney had got one Saturday afternoon and was looking for help to drag him out- seems like a good year for elk hunting so far.

Wind River Elk Hunt

2009-10-07T05:36:00.000-07:00

Mexican Creek Elk Hunt
Shoshone NF, Southern Wind River Range
October 9th -13th, 2009

The pursuit of large ungulates seems to lead me on rather epic adventures often including very challenging situations... alright, I'll be honest- sometimes a dumbarse attack or two as well. This year I'd like think I avoided the latter, but definitely not the first two. A few days before elk season opened, one day after school I took the family up the mountain on a mad dash to set up a camp. I borrowed an old tent from my father-in-law. I'm not sure he would have loaned it to me, if he would have understood more about what it would lead to. Anyhoo... Mandy and the kiddos helped me set it up, about half of it in the dark. We ended up getting home about 10:30pm that night- did the whole 4WD ride down the mountain in the dark. Camp was set though. My plan was to use it all throughout Elk season. I couldn't wait to get back up there and try it out. The rest of this blog entry/ trip report is dedicated to telling story of my first four nights in my canvas castle, while hunting the ever elusive Mexican Creek Elk- a couple of them being unintended.

The First Night: Friday, October 2nd

Arriving at camp

I packed everything up Thursday night, preparing for a quick get away after work Friday. Friday, I zipped home, changed and loaded up- headed up the mountain before 5:30pm. The area is only about 15 miles up the mountain from our home in Lander, but most of those miles are up rough mountain roads, and the last four or five miles is pretty much mostly an ATV road. It's alright for 4WDs when conditions are dry, but it's so rough you can't go much more that 5 mph in a vehicle. ATVs are much faster. I dumped my ATV at the bottom of the mountain, opting to park my truck down there in case the weather got bad. The forecast called for snow on Sunday, and I didn't want to have to drive my truck down slimy, muddy, snowy switchbacks. Been there before- not pretty. Took me about 3o minutes or so to buzz into camp on my ATV loaded with a few days of supplies. When I got to camp, it was still standing- impressive considering some of the winds it endured a few days before. I was thrilled. I unpacked and fired up the stove... double bonus- it appeared to work really well too. I gathered a night's worth of wood before settling for the night.

A panoramic view of the interior of my canvas condo.

Complete with gas lighting

As darkness settled in a full moon illuminated camp- beautiful evening.

Sweet dreams... of giant wapiti.

The First Day: Saturday, October 3rd

The view of my camp from a ridge above it, Red Butte in the background

Well rested, I got up very early the next morning, fired up the stove, fixed some coffee and some oatmeal and prepared my pack for morning hike up the drainage behind my tent, up to a ridge (Windy Ridge) that's always proved to be a good spot for elk to hang out.

Calling for elk on Windy Ridge

The only thing I saw on my hike up was a pretty nice deer. Too bad deer season wasn't open yet. Doubt I'll see him after it opens. Ha! Conditions were dry and sunny- not the best for hunting elk in this area, so decided to try my bugle. I found some interesting blinds of sorts constructed out of stones and sticks. I parked it in one of these an bugled. I did this for hour- enjoying the views. No answer though. No elk. Oh well.

Bragg Mountain

After my morning hike, I headed to camp, ate lunch and then decided to take a stroll up Bragg Mountain. Didn't seem like much was shakin' anywhere and I was curious about the view from the top of this hill, so it seemed like something to do. It was.

Looking down into the North Fork canyon from the top of Bragg Mountain.

Looking out towards Red Butte and Lander from the top of Bragg Mountain. I guess I have "Bragging" rights now.

After the Bragg Mt Hike, it was time for a nap.

A look back at camp as I headed out for my third hike and final hike of the day- another none productive one.

My Saturday night feast.

Complete with live entertainment... featuring a homemade rendition of the Big Wapiti Blues!

After jammin' out for a while, I threw a big log in the stove and crawled in the sack- probably around 10pm. I thought maybe Barney, a trusty ol' hunting partner, might show up. However I figured he'd roll in a little earlier. I gave up on him around nine. Go figure though- there was a hollerin' at the tent door not long after I hit the sack. The Barney had arrived. Mexican Creek elk were doomed, I thought. I slept well.

Day Two: Sunday, October 4th

Early Sunday Morning

As I peaked my head out the tent door early Sunday morning and saw this (2 to 3 inches of snow on the ground) I grinned and said to Barney "We're in business!" Conditions were perfect for assaulting elk in this area now. I figured it was only a matter of time now.

Barney blazes trail through 3 going on 6 inches of snow- looking for elk.

We put a three hour hike in this morning and never cut a track. Visibility was low as wet, soggy snow piled up at an alarming rate. It appeared that the elk just were here yet. Barney figured they just were here yet- still higher up. More likely, I thought, they recognized the sound of Barney's four wheeler the night before- knew it was Barney, and ran for their lives... I'm sure he's a legend amongst them- a terrifying one. Probably not one of them who hasn't lost a relative or two to Barney over the years.

After a few hours of slogging through snow and blizzard, we arrived back at camp, cold, wet and tired.

After lunch and couple of hours of resting and drying off, Barney decided his presence was intimidating the elk, so he figured he'd head down the mountain and return a couple of days later- maybe catching them by surprise, after the storm. I decided to weather out the storm. I'd made some arrangements to take Monday off anyway and figured with Barney leaving and the snow flying, the elk were sure to come. After Barney left, I spent some time shoveling snow, shaking the roof and gathering/ cutting firewood. Then I headed out for another trudge through the snow in a different area- hoping to fine some tracks at least.

A look back at camp on my way out for an evening hunt.

I figured I'd better brush my four wheeler off and fire it up at least. Over a foot of snow now.

My luck didn't improve on my evening jaunt. No track, no elk- nothing. Not a fit night out for man nor beast. I got back to camp, shoveled some more snow, at dinner and turned in for the night. I was beginning to wonder just when this storm would stop. There was nearly two feet of snow on the ground now. I was having my first thoughts about maybe how hard it could be to get out of here, if the snow continued. I slept alright anyway.

The view outside my tent, just before I went to bed Sunday night.

Day Three: Monday, October 5th

I awoke to sagging but holding strong roof. The snow had tapered off, though it was now nearly thigh deep. I made coffee and oatmeal while warming up near the blazing stove- plotting my attack for the day. I was thinking with this much snow, there'd have to be some elk down and around now. I decided to try the same hike as I did the day before with Barney. Immediately I noticed the deer were out and about- lots of deer tracks. I took this as a sign that critters might be more active today, although it was still snowing and overcast. After making only a third of the distance in twice the time, because of the snow, I cut my hike a short and climbed- or wallowed up a hill above my camp. While making may way back down to camp, I noticed some critters not far from my tent. I figured they were deer, some that I had seen the night before. As I got closer, I realized they were big deer. Big deer with small ears. Then I saw one with antlers- holy crap/ Boone and Crocket size antlers- for a deer. Then he turned sideways. Elk! Right there by camp- not far from my four-wheeler. The hunt was on!

You might say, I got my sneak on. It was a down hill assault. Between the trees loaded with snow and the white-out squalls- they never saw me coming. Until I popped out from behind a tree 200 yards away in front of the five by six bull that had just settled down for a nap. He stood up when he saw me. Then I employed my typical method of full on assault. I leveled off my 300 H & H magnum and put the squeeze one of the hot dog sized cartridges. Kaaaboooom! Thwack! He just looked at me- trying to walk slowly away. I knew I hit him, but my practice over the years, I've grown to perfect, seems to be to go for a gut or arse shot first. This usually slows them down a bit, where I can charge them and finish them off at closer range. Such was the case here. I gut shot him with the first shot. I proceded to fire off a few more rounds in haste- just to get him moving. I reloaded and charged. He made a run for the trees. I gained on him. at 50 yards in the trees I fired off a few more round- grazing his back and poking an eye out. He ran some more- I was right behind him, snow flying, dodging trees, grunting and panting the whole way. He stopped again as he got out of the trees, I fired once or twice more- this time from 15 yards away. This time I took out his front running gears. He was going down. I reached down for more shells- "Shit!", I thought. I was out of ammo already. There was more in my pack, but I didn't have time to fish those out... "Fix Bayonets!"

Actually, I just waited. He didn't go much further, and didn't try when I didn't follow him. I could see him the whole time. I knew he was beggining his journey to reunite with his former cousins and brothers that Barney had sent on their way in years past. It was smooth, peaceful journey.

Parting shots of the majestic.

He's gone. Just grubs now.

I paused for a few shots with him, using the time delay- I was alone.

The 300 downs it's third bull. Now the real work began...

20 or 30 minutes later I had him cleaned out.

Took me about an hour or so to drag him threw the two and a half feet of snow, down to the parking area by Uncle Tom's Spring- at least it was mostly downhill.

I drug him out hole.

As I was dragging him out some hunters that were staying in a nearby cabin that I had met earlier showed up. They helped my drag him the last 100 hundred yards or so. They had watched me dragging him for a while. As they approached, one guy said "Jesus, I thought you were just dragging the head and cape!" Then another guy exclaimed, "Nope, that's the whole fuckin' elk!" The third guy said, "Cripes son, what'd you eat for breakfast? I want some." "Oatmeal", I replied.

After getting the bull to the parking area, I began quizing the hunters about the private road they used to access their cabins in the area. I was concerned with the snow, and the fact that I had seen absolutely nobody else in the area, that the road I had to use to get out was going to be impassible- the snwo being too deep. They told me that they did use another road, and it could get you out (it was all down hill), but that they wouldn't leave to go down it until they had all or most of their elk. They hadn't gotten any yet. I told them where I was camped and that I was going to scout the road and try to get out, but if I didn't- I might need their help, because I only had food and water enough for another night. They were nice folks- willing to help.

Before I loaded up my elk, I hiked back to camp and took my ATV downthe road to scout conditions. I had issues driving it up the first serious hill I came to- really big issues. The next hill was four times as long twice as steep and snow as likely even deep on it, because it was in the trees. I was exhausted from hunting and dragging elk all day and only had half a day left. At this point, I knew I'd be staying another night- if nothing else, just to gather my strength for day of shoveling my way up snow hills, just to get home. I went back to gather up my elk.

My elk loaded up on my ATV.

Apparently I didn't eat enough oatmeal to load him whole onto my ATV. I quartered him up in order to conquer this job. I figured it would ride better this way too. I knew it was going to be one heck of interesting ride out.

Before turning in for the night, I went out to check on the elk and warm up the ATV again.

While I was out, the folks from the cabin cam by again. I told them I didn't think I'd be able to get out the way I came. I had cut more wood and was set for the night, but I told them after that, I might need help. I was also banking on the possibility that Barney would return to hunt on Tuesday, like he talked about Sunday. I thought maybe he could break open the roads by going down them on his way in. Later that night I called him- I did have cell phone that I used to call Mandy once a night. The batteries were getting low though. My hope was renewed a bit that night after I called Barney. He indicated that he did intend to head up my way the next day, with a friend on another, bigger ATV with chains, shovels and winches.

My "survivor" clip- settling down after big day of hunting and packing elk, preparing for a fourth night in my canvas cabin.

My best friend through it all- the stove. Don't leave home without it!

I slept nervously all night, not knowing exactly when or if I'd be able to off the mountain. Around 11pm that night as I was drifting in and out of slumber, I began to hear noises. Elk noises. The elk were talking. At first I thought I was dreaming, then I got up. There were bulls bugling, snorting and grunting- at least two of them. Ten yards from my tent. Cows and calves were chirping and squeeking all over. It sounded like a herd of 40 or 50 elk, surrounding my camp. They were here now, in full force. It was a good omen.

Day Four: Tuesday, October 6th

The next day I awoke to bluebird conditions and shots being fired. I had made arrangements to call Barney at 8am to check on their progress, if they hadn't arrived by then. The news was bad. In short he said, "You aren't getting home this way." Turns out the big, steep hill that concerned me was the issue. They sent the bigger ATV with chains and a winch down the hill, in hopes of plowing it a bit so as to make it possible to drive up it. It didn't work. They spent an hour or two winching that machine back up the hill. Yikes. I told him that I'd heard shots and was hoping that it was the folks I met yesterday and maybe they'd gotten some elk and were going to head down. I packed my gear and set out to find them.

As I was packing my gear onto my ATV, I saw one of them drive by. I followed. Turns out they had gotten into a bunch of elk- the night before and that morning. Probably some of the same ones that came through my camp the previous night. They had three down. I explained my predicament and gave them the latest on the road conditions. I offered to help them track a wounded elk and drag the others etc. They said they'd get me out- they had to get their elk down now too. I helped them track their elk. I found the trail. After a couple of hours of hikingup hill through deep snow, it became clear that the elk was not critically wounded and that he was not slowing dnw any time soon. The shooter made the call to bail on it. It was time to go home... finally!

The view Tuesday morning from up high on ridge around the Mexican Creek area.

The private road they used to go downthe mountain worked good. It went through three locked gates though, and it was so buried in the snow, I never would have been able to find it by myself. Eventually it ended up spitting us out on the North Fork road about 12 miles or so from Lander- 30 from my truck. I actually had to drive my four wheeler- loaded up with elk and all my gear- through Milford, down the highway and up Main Street in Lander. I'm sure that was a sight for passing motorists. I dropped the meat off at the processor on the way home. I drove home on my four wheeler. It was good to be home. This time, it was almost maybe the best part of the hunt.

Seamus checks out the elk- pets it actually.

Couldn't pry him off the four wheeler.

Me the kiddos and the elk.

It wasn't over though. I still had to go get my truck, which was still parked at the bottom of a different road at the base of the mountain. After hugging mom and kiddos, I set off again on the ol Bombardier Quest 650 to go get my truck.

Approaching my truck.

Although the road was sloppy, it wasn't bad.

The one thing I have learned over the years is to leave my truck at the bottom of this mountain this tim of year, instead of using the upper parking area. The road can go from dry to white knuckle, greasy, steep switchbacks in a matter of hours. Been there done that. Learned from that dumbarse attack a few years back. Ha!

Had to shovel the two feet of wet snow out before I load up the ATV.

Eventually I got things loaded up and slopped my way down the road to the pavement. Whew! Made it! Now it was over. I cranked up The Black Crowes, a warm tingly feeling came over me, an ear to ear grin broadened and I let out one heck of a "Yaaahoooooo!" It was over, I made it. Everything came out in one piece, or all pieces (the elk). What a hunt!

The funny thing is, chances a damned good I'll be doing it all over again soon, maybe even in a few days- probably for someone else's elk.

Two Weeks Later...

Two week later- still standing!

Almost two weeks later conditions had warmed and dried out enough I was able to get back into my camp again. The mission this time was packing it out- before the next storm.

How in the heck will all of this fit?

Dunno, but it did.

Heading up out of Mexican Creek on the section of road that was impassible two weeks ago- the snow was just too deep in here, plus the road is very steep.

Everything back down at the truck- in one piece still.

Looking down at the load from the back of the truck. Whew! Got it all out.

The End!!

2009 Cycle Season

2009-09-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

2009 Cycling Season

Bear Lake Classic

Lined up with Russ, ready to start at the Bear Lake Classic near Garden City Utah.

The Bear Lake Classic is a good early season race in May. It's a flat 50 mile ride around Bear Lake. Packs tend to stay together for the entire race and it's a big pack sprint finish. This year I didn't miss the turn. Most of the time there's only split seconds separating winners from the rest of their group. That's how it panned out this year. There was an uphill time trial the night before that was fun.

Waiting for the start... first race of the season!

High Uintas Classic

Waiting for the start of the Cat 4 group at the High Uintas Classic.

The High Uintas Classic is a great stage race. Maybe my favorite around here- or close to here. It's run by the Evanston cycling club. The road race starts in Kamas Utah and goes over a 10,000 ft. pass (Bald Mt) and ends in Evanston. The next day there's a Time Trial and Criterium. This year weather played an interesting role.

Lined up at the start.

The weather was cool at the start of the road race- a little rain. As we gained elevation, the rain got worse. At nine thousand feet it was constant- with intermidant snow/ sleet. The ride down the other side of the pass was fridgid at 40 -50 mph. Anyone that didn't have a jacket or sleeves or something got hypothermia and dropped out. Over half the riders in my group took DNFs (Did not finish). I finished, I ended up taking 4th or 6th in road race- 6th or 9th overall. Hard to say for sure- the results got all fubared in this race. The Crit did not count in the overall scores. It was definitely hard with the weather- a definite test of how much you coudl endure.

At the end of a very cold, very wet race!

Wydaho Mountain Bike Race

First MTB race of the season!

The WYDAHO race at Grand Targhee, on the 4th of July is just plain fun. It's a beautiful groomed seven mile single track loop. Experts do it three times- 21 miles. It's a shorter, sprint type race- not something I train as much for. Although I cut some time from last year, I didn't place as high this year- bottom third. I nearly won the hill climb again though! Had lots of fun.

Mandy's sister took bird's eye pictures of the race from the chairlift as they were going up.

Two third of the way up the hardest climb on the course.

Rippin' into the finish.

Taming the Tetons

Taming the Tetons was another circuit/lap type race at Grand Teton Resort. It was more technical than the WYDAHO race- more rocks, steep climbs, more switch back and steep descents- bridges and tighter trails. It kicked my arse. Was hard for me to go fast on. Hard to get into a rythm. Pretty much sucked. I came in dead last in the Expert division. The riders from Utah (it's part of MTB series from their state) smoked me. It was really fun riding- awesome, tight single track- I just couldn't go fast on it.

Teton Pass Hill Climb

The day after the Tetons Tamed me, came the Teton Pass Hill Climb. This is two races starting in Wilson. One is on road bikes, the other is for MTBs. They both go up Teton Pass. I think it's a fundraiser for their local club. They do a great job with it. Andy from Wilson Backcountry sponsors it and hosts a picnic, lunch/ prizes afterwards. Because the Tetons Tamed me the day before- my times were slower than they were the previous year. Kind of figure this would happen though. Again- good training and a great way to spend a Sunday!

The Laramie Enduro

No pictures from the Enduro. Went down there last minute with Chuck. They let us in late because they knew Chuck and we were from Wyoming. This was a great race- a near 70 mile loop. Lots of single track and dirt. A pretty fast 70 miles! Not knowing the course, I took it easy- still placing in the top third of our category. Chuck won our age group though- kickin' arse and takin' names. I really enjoyed this race- I'll probably have to do it again.

Leadville Trail 100

Lined up and waiting for the start with Bob.

Leadville 100- the big one! The one I train for all year. Was hoping to go under nine hours this year. It weren't to be though- mother nature had plans of her own.

Wearing the Wyo jersey, just before the start.

The start- Dave Wiens defending Champion in green with Lance Armstrong in black behind him.

As you can see- the road was wet. The first few hours of this race was cold and wet. This killed me. I didn't drink enough. When I rolled into the dam aid station at the bottom of the biggest (2500 ft.) climb- my water was still pretty full. Yikes! As a result I ended up cramping big time two thirds of the way up Columbine (the name of the Mt. that was the last big climb). It was my slowest tie up the Mt ever. Chuck and Karla's Tandem time up that Mt was faster. Grrr!

Lance rolls through the Dam aid station- probably only an hour or so ahead of me at this point.

The storm finally started breaking when Lance rolled back through the Dam Aid station on his way back- probably only a few hours ahead of me at this point.

I felt better going into the last huge climb (power line). The climb still wrung me out though.

Rolling through the last aid station.

My sister, who flew down last minute to crew for me- which was awesome, met me at this aid station and told me Bob was only 10 minutes ahead of me. That inspired me to kick in gear a bit more.

I caught Bob near the top of the Boulevard, just few miles from the finish. I caught this guy on the red carpet, just before the finish line. I'm right behind him in this blurry picture. My time was just under 10 hrs 30 min- my slowest out of three attempts. Not drinking really killed me. Lance Armstrong one the race about completing it about 4 hrs ahead of me.

Bob did awesome, finishing his 11th Leadville just a few minutes behind me.

Chuck and Karla rolled in a while after Bob- taking third place in the Tandem Division. Next year will be their tenth on a Tandem!

Dakota Five O'

The Dakota .050

Lined up the start of the Dakota Five O'

This race rocks! After Leadville the pressure is off. The Five O' is based out Spearfish, SD. It's a 50 mile groomed single track Lolly Pop loop. It's totally awesome/ classic Black Hills style riding- good stuff! Fast and rolly! The last aid station (bacon station) they hand out bacon and PBRs. Yummy! After the race, you can kick back listen to tunes, watch your kids race and slurp free beer. It's a good time. Good folks too! I did well this year- was on pace for 4hrs 30 min. Absolutley smokin' for me. I was hydrating the whole time. However, even though this was my third time racing this race- I missed a critical turn right off the last ascent and went off course a few miles. It cost me 15 or 20 minutes. Bummer- maybe shouldn't have had that PBR at the last aid station. Ha! Still finished under 5 hrs, placing 30/ 120 plus riders in my category. Guess I'll have to try it again next year though- I know I can do better!

I probably had about as much after the race, watching Tally race her new Strider.

Ready, set, go!

Cousin Maddy and Tally both claimed their prizes (water bottles) after finishing their races. Great fun!!

LOTOJA

Last race of the season.

Unloading, early in the morning, getting ready for LOTOJA- a 206 mile road race through three states and over three mountain passes. A killer! It starts in Logan Utah and ends in Jackson Hole, WY. Chuck said it hurt him more than Leadville- I decided I needed to try it. It hurt. One thing I'm starting to learn- if the race starts in the dark, or you line up for it in the dark- it's gonna hurt.

Some of the first packs taking off- in the dark.

Go Lander Cycling!

All LOTOJA riders get a leg stamp- they had trouble figuring out where to put mine.

It was light out (barely) by the time my pack started.

The fifty rider Cit Cat 5- 35 plus pack I raced in. I signed up for the race back in March, before I bought a Cat 4 license. They wouldn't let me change. Oh well- worked out alright because there were other folks from Lander in this group.

And they're off!

10 hours later at the finish in Jackson Hole at Grand Teton Resort.

A video finish!

Mandy's folks agreed to watch our kiddos for this race, so Mandy could crew for me. Thank goodness they did. Mandy spent all day driving 200 plus miles, stopping at various aid stations meeting me for water/ food stops. Was nice to see her smiling face all along the way.

Everyone that completes LOTOJA gets a custom hanger to comemmorate the event. Yup... that's right... a hanger! Interesting. I definitely felt like I was hung out to dry by the time it was over.

My, my giant and my hanger. I survived.

After the helmet came off.

While loading my bike up we noticed a staple or wire that pierced the tire. Hard saying when that happened or how long I road the race like that. I never flated. Crazy!

I ended up taking 4th place in my Category- making the podium! 10 hrs/ 17 min.

I might try this race again- it did hurt though. Not quite like Leadville this year, but close. Need a few more months to forget about how much it hurt. Ha!

Now it's hunting season...

Ross Lake

2009-08-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

Ross Lake
Fitzpatrick Wilderness Area, Shoshone NF
August 6th, 2009

Recently I was called to duty for Lander LLama Company, to go into Ross Lake and pick up a fishing camp that had been dropped there about a week prior. I took few pictures along the way, even some video...

Heading up the Whiskey Mt. trail.

A look up the Torrey Creek drainage and Bomber Basin from along the Whiskey Mt. Trail.

Traversing a boulder field.

This trail is similar in nature to the Glacier Trail (the one used to access Gannett Peak). It's pretty much 4 to 6 miles of 2500 hot and dry vertical feet-- right off the bat, before you get to any decent camping. It's a grunt!

Looking back down at the trail head, about 2000 vertical feet later and a couple of hours.

A profile of the Glacier trail as it climbs up and over Goat Flats and Burrow Pass- it's a long hall. It pretty much follows the green all the way. Click to enlarge.

The basin/ cirque Ross lake lives in.

The flowers were still out in force. Pretty cool for August!

A look down the trail as it clear a pass below Whiskey Mt and heads down towards Ross Lake.

More flower and cool rocks along the way.

Time for a water break.

Looks like a good place to call home for the night! (backside of Whiskey Mt)

Later that evening I hiked down to Ross Lake to scout the trail and get a time estimate of how long it would take us to get to our "x" the nest morning. The lake was pretty cool- very large. Not alot (any) places to camp around it.

Ross Lake

Taking a breather- enjoying the evening and the view.

A fading view of the meadow we camped in, just before tucking in for the night.

The next morning we got up early and headed down the steep, nasty trail into Ross Lake.

Not maintained for horses.

Negotiating a "no fall" zone along the trail.

The llamas did great, although go up this steep stuff with full packs on was a little slower.

The llamas enjoy a water break in the meadow we camped in after climbing back up out of Ross Lake. It was about an hour and half of technical and steep climbing on the way out. Only had one saddle slip going up too- which was pretty good considering how heavy they were and steep the trail was.

I recruited one of my high school students to help with this trip. I'm not sure I could have managed by myself!

Going up an over the pass, heading back down to trail head.

All down hill from here, 2500 feet worth!

Cook Lake

2009-07-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

Cook Lake Llama Trip
Dickinson Park TH, Popo Agie Wilderness Area,
Shoshone NF July 18th-20th, 2009

Cook Lake

Kutz and Mandy's Awesome Adventure!

Mandy with Kutz and Stoney

Decided to do a little backcountry jaunt out of our favorite trailhead last weekend. Initially we thought we'd take the kiddos, but the grandparents in Casper wanted some entertainment and voluteered to take them for a few days. That was nice. Saturday then, Mandy and I headed up to Dickinson Park with two wooly friends, packed for a few days in the Windriver backcountry.

The trail out of Dickinson Park.

Mandy leads Stoney along (it was Stoney's first time packing in the backcountry).

Pausing for lunch, and a great view of Windriver Peak.

We headed up the Smith Lake trail, hoping to camp at Cook Lake and explore that canyon and cirque a little more the next day. The view just off the trail here overlooks the North Fork drainage Windriver peak dominating the background.

A view of the Cathedral Buttress from Middle Lake.

Mandy wades the creek coming out of Middle Lake with Kutz.

Shad dances with Stoney in the creek.

Stoney's view of Cloverleaf Lake

The next morning as we were getting ready to do some day hiking up the canyon, Stoney somehow pulled his stake and headed for home. He made it just few hundred yards before he got tangled up. Little bugger! We made sure that couldn't have again.

Mendarin Lake cirque

During our layover day at Cook Lake we hike way up into the canyon above it. All sorts of beautiful country up there- waterfalls, lakes, streams- ending in an impressive cirque that surrounds Mendarin Lake.

Mandy poses in a glaciated clearing.

Adventure pose: Shad points out potential ski terrain.

Revealed: The twinkle in Mandy's eye.

The aftermath and path of a huge avalanche (some years old now).

Mandy, on the rocks... above Mendarin Lake.

Good spot for lunch.

"Peek-a-boo!"

On our way back down we took a route that gave us a good look a these spectaluar falls.

A look down the canyon, towards Cook lake.

Looking back up the canyon.

Nap time.

A panoramic view.

YIKES! A pink sasquatch drying off after a mid-afternoon dip! Very rare sighting.

Mandy roasts her dinner while day-dreaming about the day's adventure, particularly the sasquatch sighting.

Captain Llama packer prepares to give a lesson in packing, after slurping a quart of freshly pressed, stout coffee!

Gear for two, all laid out and then packed into the panniers.

Kutz, before and after.

Stoney pauses while Mandy hydrates (her camel back was in Stoney's pannier).

Coming out we didn't have enough wieght for two Llamas, so we made Stoney carry our day packs. Good training!

Enjoyed lunch from our perch above the North Fork again.

Mandy strides out with Kutz on the home stretch.

Woohoo! We made it. Back at the trailer.

Great trip, good to get out with the Llamas again. Thanks Scott!

Southern Wind Mountain Biking

2009-07-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

High Plains Cruisin'
South Pass City Gold Rush Days
July 12th, 2009

Mandy pedals west, the Oregon Buttes in the background.

High Prairie Pedal Porn

Takin' a breather.

Rockin' before rolling!

Earlier in the week, I took a nifty spill off my road bike while powering around a corner. This is what it did to my helmet. A great reason to wear one!

(click to enlarge)

This is what it did to me, even with a helmet on. Lots of road rash, even on the inside of lips. Sucked! The bike came out okay though- just some dings on the shifters.

Fairfield Hill Loop- MTB Ride
July 13th, 2009

Had a great ride Monday, after getting off South Pass. Did the classic Fairfield loop from my house in Lander. Great ride- beautiful country!

Profile of ride (click to enlarge and read). It's a lung buster!

The view after the first major climb.

A look into the Leg Lake cirque part way up the last climb.

Me, getting ready to drop a couloir on the Kona, Windriver Peak in the background.

Another angle on the couloir.

Looking down at the rest of the trail.

4000 vertical feet of climbing in 16 miles took about two hours. I was happy with that.

MT Biking at Grand Targhee

2009-07-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

MTB Riding at Grand Targhee Resort
Grand Targhee National Forest
July 4th and 5th, 2009

A view of the tetons from the top of of the resort.

Headed up to Grand Targhee for the WYDAHO MTB race (http://www.grandtarghee.com/summer/mountain-biking/WYDAHO-Mtn-Bike-Race.php) on July 4th. We decided to stay up there over the fourth and ride a bit more as well. I did okay in the race, despite a 20+ mph crash and burn, I still managed to shave a minute off my time from last year. However, everyone else road much faster this year. A time that landed me mid heap in the expert category last year, only kept me a few riders away from last place this year. Short fast races are not my strength- but it sure was fun. Absolutely beautiful riding. I reccomend the race to anyone. The 24 hour race they do in August is great too!

Mandy's Dirt Queen Flick

Mandy didn't race, but she pre-rode the course with me on the morning of the 4th. This first climb is a doozy!

Sucking it up and riding the last bit.

Super Grover likes single track for breakfast!

Awful purdy country!

Mandy feeds her Kona an extra helping of yum yum!

Miles of groomed wahooo!

Wild flowers and wild riders in full force!

The road to the top of the mountain (resort).

Sunday, the morning after the race I got up and decided to ride the 3 miles of 2000 vertical feet up to the top of the mountain. It took me just under an hour (5o minutes). Had to walk a couple of short ups (probably could have cleared them had I been fresh). It was a great climb! Stunning views on top, with nothign but stellar single track to ride all the way down. Not any picture of the single track- I just couldn't bring my self to stop and take any it was so tasty!

Nearing the top.

Looking back down the road aways.

A panoramic view looking down the road from the top.

Beartooths

2009-05-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

Riding the Gardner Wall
Beartooth Mountains in Wyoming
May 25th, 2009

The Gardner Lake head wall.

While visiting good friends in Cody over Memorial Day weekend, I figured since I was in the neighborhood, I might as take a quick run over into the Beartooths for some classic spring skiing. I got up early Sunday and found myself up on the pass looking at the Gardner wall, just as the sun was starting to illuminate it.

Video Panoramic

Saddled up, ready to ride!

The routes I skied for the day (click to enlarge).
I did it all the old fashioned way- hiking. No help from vehicles this time.

A look down the ridge as I approached my first run.

Looking back up at my first few turns. The photo doesn't do them justice- that first rollover was way steep! Plus the snow was still a little cold.

A view from the bottom of my first run.

Looking back up towards the top of runs 2 and 3.

The hike back up (four times for me). Note how many people there are. It was pretty much a steady stream of folks all day- popular place.

Gardner Lake Couloir- time to try it on my board.

Board view at the top looking into the Gardner Lake Couloir.

Dropping in.

The view from about half way down the couloir.

Steep!

Looking back up. The snow was prefect for big steep turns.

Wearin' the grin... in May! Gotta love it!

A final look back.

Sioux Pass Powder

2009-04-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

Sioux Pass Powder
Southern Wind River Range
April 25th, 2009

Mandy skins above Sioux Pass.

Mandy and Shad Powder Flick

Mandy leaves the sled in search of pow pow.

The latest storm cycles seem to be working our pretty well for skiing the Winds above Lander. Though temps in Lander for most of the week were in the 70s. Friday it started snowing again. It's getting trickier to get the sleds up high to the good powder- all the trails down low are melting out. It can be done still though. We did it. Dunno how many more times we'll have the chance. Judging by the weather today, as I write, it's looks like maybe I guy might get away with a run in May next weekend. Again though- it was a lot of work getting the machine in there and out. Great day though- I'll take it!

Perched on top of a good looking run.

Time to ride!

First turns initiated an interesting little new snow slough slide.

Enjoying the view as I transition for another run.

"Look out! They're everywhere! They're everywhere!"
Little green Mandys kept gobbling up the pow. I couldn't keep up!

Looking back on Mandy's first run.

I do a quick boot pack up to the top of a good looking little shot.

A look back at a couple of runs.

Mandy tears it up!

Skiing off into the trees near the bottom of the run.

Mandy enjoys the tree skiing back to the sled.

Back at the sled, packing up for the ride out.

My thoughts on the day...
before I tipped the Polaris over and got it stuck three or four times on the way back.

Tried to dig out a trail for the Polaris on a side hill. It didn't work. I cussed alot.

Turned out that getting back to the truck was much harder than I had anticipate. We were only about 10 or 15 miles away, but the snow had warmed, and I was punching through it whenever I got off the main trail. There hadn't been any traffic on it either- probably for at least most of the week. The side hill above gave me lots fits too. I didn't have to deal with it on the way in- I was able to go straight over the hill. The way over the hill on the way out is much steeper, and the Polaris with all of our crap on it couldn't do it. I had to try the road instead. I ended up getting suck down off the road in the bottom, where the snow was soft. We pretty much had to dig pack and build a road for the polaris out of the bottom and back onto the main road. Only took about an hour or so. Long story short- it took just under an hour to get to where we skied. It took us over 3 hours to get out. My arms are rocked from lifting that heavy machine and shoveling my brains out. It was fun though! Glad we got out. We were late picking up the kids- but not as late as I thought maybe we would have been at one point. Several times I figured we'd be waiting till dark for the snow to firm up as the temperate dropped, before we'd be able to get out. Glad we didn't have to do that. Mandy was thrilled too. Always and adventure!

Spring in the Winds

2009-04-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Southern Wind River Range

April 19th, 2009

Matt skis the Southern Winds

On top of The Notch

Left Lander early thinking maybe conditions would be similar to the conditions I had on Big Mountain a week earlier, especially since it snow another foot or so the day before. It was a little different this time. Eventually the weather cleared and we got some classic warm pow spring snow. When we first got up there though, it was snowing and winds were strong and out of the North. Which took me a while to figure out. After a long tour and traverse, some of our first runs were on south facing slopes protected and loaded from the wind. It was good. Eventually the weather cleared though and things warmed up, the southern slopes got too warm, but other aspects turned from the wind crust into great soft spring snow. Before it was over we racked up nearly 6000 vertical feet of skiing in around eight hours. Great day!

Matt traverses his way across the Winds above Christina Lake

Climbing up The Notch.

Looking up the Range towards Big Mountain and Atlantic Peak.

A profile of our first lines, Christina Lake in the background.

Looking down on Matt's line through the bottom.

Carvin' it up!

Matt cruises in for a break after good run down the peak in the background.

A better look at some of our lines (click to enlarge).

Going up for more.

Matt prepares to drop The Notch.

One of my favorite shots yet, in the Winds this year.

Matt series in The Notch.

Weeehoo!

Pausing for a quick look back.

The last few turns of a 1000 ft run.

Not done yet!

Matt poses on another little peak.

Matt shows off his custom Tele/ AT bindings in Tele mode.

Looking a back on some of our earlier lines, later in the day (click to enlarge).

Looking back on the last hill of the day.

A look back into the canyon/ drainage we were skiing.

A look back at The Notch Mountain as the sun begins to set.

Another view of The Notch from across the lake.

Shad Teaser

A final look back on much of the range and terrain around Christina Lake- red arrows indicate places we skied from.
(click to enlarge and read labels)

Big Mountain Powder

2009-04-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

Big Mountain
Christina Lake Area, Southern Wind River Range
April 10th, 2009

Big Mountain

Wouldn't be a complete ski season without a run from the top of Big Mountain. After another small storm looked to have dumped about 6 inches of fresh snow in the Winds (without much wind) I figured conditions might be ripe for Big Mountain with powder. I figured right. It was definitely a Good Friday!

Looking at the mountains I'd be skiing, from about 2o miles away.

Yup, I'd say the new snow as of late sure has improved the coverage on the trails.

Looking back as I make may way up through the tree toward Big Mountain.

Flying solo this time.

Making progress.

Looking back about an hour later (click to enlarge).

Hooeee! This Mountain's alot of work- especially when it's loaded with fresh pow.

The summit is in sight.

Looking back down the ridge line as I make my way to the top.

Almost there!

Oh yea!! Powder all the way up!

Rockin' on the summit!

Looking down across my boot pack. Boy the snow looked good!

Scoping out the line.

Time to ride!

Rock on! The best conditions I think I've ever dropped from the top in.

Awesome!

Big lines, on Big Mountain.

Another look a the run from a different angle.

Yet, another view (click to enlarge).

Looking down towards the bottom of my run as I make my way up for more.

Big Mountain profile.

Conditions were getting pretty warm, so I decided to play on aspects that were a little less exposed to the sun...

The snow was still great!

Bottom half of the run was good too.

While climbing up for yet some more, the weather started to get a bit more over cast. Lighting on the open slopes was tricky, so I began to ride the treed pow more and work my way be back to the sled.

Looking back on Big Mountain shrouded by clouds, from across Christina Lake.

The bigger picture.

Back at the truck, celebrating a Good Friday!

Popo Agie Pow Pow

2009-04-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

Backyard Powder Fest

Sinks Canyon (Switchbacks on Loop Road)
April 4th, 2009

An over fed powder pig resting at the bottom of some 600 foot blower powder shots, just past the first switchback on the Loop Road in Sinks Canyon.

Popo Agie Pow Pow!

Unbelievable! Planned on skiing this day no matter what- made day care arrangement for the kiddos. Didn't figure it'd be one of the best powder days in the Winds all season, and only a few miles outside of town. Incredible! South Pass was closed so Sink Canyon was our only local option. We headed up. We made it as far as the cattle guard by the climber's area parking lot before the snow was too deep to drive in. Plus some dude had their truck stuck in the middle of the road. Indicator number one that it was going to be an epic powder day. Mandy was thrilled!

We parked and dumped the sleds at the pull-our near the cattle guard- after a snow plow clear it for us. I knew right where I want to go. I've tried the ski the run a few times- never with the right gear or conditions though. The snowmobiling in was sick. Just sick. Over the top, but nearly impossible to get stuck. Hero pow for the sleds for sure! Wow!

After the mechanical powder pigs got a good wallowing, it their riders let them rest and make ready for their own feast.

The cleanest my face would be all day!

Mandy works for pow.

The grin. We all had it!

Karla climbs through the pow covered forest.

Chuck and Karl skirt around a cliff band above some good runs, being careful about avi conditions. The new snow was sloughing in steep terrain- over foot sometimes.

Yummy!

No words for the rest...

Mandy Series:

Still got the grin!

Chuck Series:

"Mama!"

Karla Series:

"Faceshots!"

Looking back...

(click to enlarge and see the wiggles)

It was snowing so hard many of first tracks were nearly filled in. I could have skied until it got dark. Mandy was happy we had to get the kids by 5pm though. We saddled up the pigs for the ride down about 4pm. I had nearly as much fun wallowing in pow all the way back to the truck.

You know it's a good pow day in Sinks Canyon when you get your sled stuck on a guard rail.

The last major event of the day!

The Day After:

The next day I had an awesome ski with the kiddos, we stopped to admire the previous day's work.

Tally's reaction: "Oh maaan!"

Out of Bounds

2009-03-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Skiing Out of Bounds
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Teton Range
March 27/ 28th, 2009

The Matt Show

The JHMR Helicopter

I had a pass left to use at the Resort in Jackson before they closed. Since they were getting hammered with new snow, I figured it was a good time to go. Matt had some days to burn as well, so he agreed to come come with and introduce me to just a little of the backcountry skiing available outside of the resort boundaries. There's lots of traversing and side-stepping required to get to it all, so I decided to bring my skis. I haven't skied much this year. It was obvious.

Rendezvous Mountain and the top of the tram, in the background, from somewhere around Four Pines.

After a run down Four Pines Matt thought my snow plow turns were looking good enough to try an icy couloir. I think he was trying to put me out of my misery, or his. Ha! Nearly worked.

Dropping into Zero Gravity Couloir, working on my survival skiing. I only plunged a hundred yards at uncontrollable, break-neck speeds once.

Matt survives the ice and makes the rest look easy as he bombs through the couloir.

Bombs away!

Traversing our way over to Pinedale Canyon, where the best powder was hiding.

Dropping into a nice bowl above Pinedale canyon.

A look back at some of our lines.

Matt launches off a cornice.

Sticks the landing...

and rides the pow!

Power turns... or something.

Scoping out another huck.

Launching!

Where's Matt?

Oh! There he is. Right on!

The end of a great day.

We wrapped things up around 6pm or so that first day. After the lifts closed, we broke out the skins and clobbered some more. The snow was awesome!

Day Two:

Matt climbs up the Headwall as we make our way over to Granite Canyon.

The snow was great over there, and the lines were huge.

Matt positions himself for take off.

All clear for lift off.

Lift off!!

Matt tears it up as we get suck further down a couloir into Granite Canyon.

I'm the black dot in the middle of the couloir.

Dunno what this one is called, but it was long and fun and full of great pow.

I ride skis like I ride bikes and horses.

One last look back at a terrific run.

Pretty cool scenery on the big long traverse out of Granite Canyon.

Lots and lots of this inorder to get out of Granite Canyon and back to the resort. We did it a couple of times. Good stuff! Every bit as much work as skinning.

Some dude on skis.

West Angle Mountain Bowl

2009-03-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

West Angle Bowl

Northeast side of West Angle Mountain
Togwotee Pass, Absaroka Range
March 22nd, 2009

With a big storm in the forecast and the previous days weather hitting 50 degrees, we really weren't sure what kind of skiing conditions we'd find. One thing was clear though, the day was designated for turns. Passes were secured. We were headed out to try something. We eventually decided to buzz the machines up the Snow Cat track on West Angle Mountain and see what was left for north facing powder shots. With sunshine and a good few inches of fresh powder on the ground, things were looking better than we'd anticipated.

The a view of the Tetons from where we parked our "Snow Cats" on top of West Angle Mt.

Matt drops into our first run of the day.

Scoping out the entrance.

A look up at Matt from a different angle.

His view of me as I dropped in.

Looking down at Matt and his exit tracks. Looked delicious!

A look back up at the first run of the day. It was already pretty tracked up, but not out. It was an awesome run. If this was any indicator of what the entire day would be like... oh boy!!!

It turned out, it pretty much was an indicator of what the rest would be like, only it just got better! Two feature motion pictures worth of better...

The Shad Show

The Matt Show

The rest of day in photos...

Matt leads the way to virgin pow.

After skiing a great tracked up run, we decided to push a little further east along the mountain, in search of fresh pow that hadn't been pillaged yet. Didn't take long before we discovered massive quantities of untouched powder fields.

Loads of cornices too.

My first glimpse of what was below one of the cornices. It made me giddy!

Matt, all grins as he let's me plow the road up, after our first run.

After a while, he took over.

A look up at one of four runs we did in this area.

A couple more.

Another perspective.

A look up from farther down.

Yet another run.

I make my way up for another.

Dropping into a little couloir as the weather finally began to deteriorate a little. This would be our last run of the day.

A look at our lines through it.
(click to enlarge and see the sloughing action)

A look back from a little farther away.

Matt expresses his dismay over the black storm clouds approaching as we decide to call good for the day and start the skin back to the sleds.

The weather was moving in fast on us. Made for some interesting views of the Tetons.

Finally back at the sleds in near white-out conditions.

It went from blue-bird to sasqwatch conditions in no time at all.

And then changed back by the time we had the sleds loaded.

One great look back at the bowl we'd spent most of the tearing up. Another, unexpected, epic day. Really worth getting out of bed for!

Another Day in the Winds

2009-03-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

Another Day in the Winds
Christina Lake Area, Southern Wind River Range
March 15th, 2009

A good view of Christina Lake

We headed up into the Winds yesterday, in hopes that some of the 16 inches of snow that fell earlier this week would still be around. It was, but the weather didn't cooperate as much as we would have liked. It was hurricane windy, which pretty much kept us in the trees. It was a good day though- any day in the backcountry is a good day!

Chuck goes up.

Looking down on one of our first runs.

A look back at a few turns. Pretty much as high as we would get today.

Karla series...

Good stuff!

The Chuck...

Ride the Winds!

Kickin' back in 30 plus mile an hour gusts, waiting for some visibility.

The end of another good day in the Winds.

Jules Bowl Couloir Festival

2009-03-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

Couloir Festival
Jules Bowl
BTNF Special Management Area, Shoshone NF
March 7th, 2009

Jules Bowl Couloir Festival Film

The Trip Report (click to enlarge photos):

Jules Bowl and the Couloirs we skied.

We scored some absolutely awesome conditions for this trip. Much better than we expected. There we six of us piled on three snow mobiles. About a foot of fresh powder dumped in area just a day or two prior. We motored up towards Bonneville pass and decided since there weren't any fresh tracks going into Jules Bowl, to go on in there. We also had a variety of ability levels with us and a bigger group than I was used to, so I felt a little more comfortable heading into familiar terrain. Visibility was great (blue bird) and the snow was stable, so we motored for the bowl, figuring folks could climb as high as they wanted. as much as they wanted and ski it up! Conditions in the couliors were perfect. Powder deep and stable enough to skin up to the top of most of them. Massive face shots with every turn going down them. It turned out to be a fantastic day!

One of many fabulous views of Jules Bowl, from up high within it.

Part 1: The Upside Down V Couloir

The Upside Down V Couloir

Making our way up into the Upside Down V Couloir.

Putting in a skin track up a couloir- that's how good it was!

Looking back at Karla and Keith as they enter the couloir.

Chuck tries to catch Matt and Stacy.

What Chuck looked like from their point of view.

What I looked like.

Getting steep.

Almost there!

Matt and Stacy greet me as I near the top.

Finally there!

Looking down- time to drop!

Stacy tele tears it up!

I tear it up as a fly out of the couloir.

Weeehooo!

Looking back up at our lines down the Upside Down V Couloir. One down, two to go!

Part 2: The Chalkstone Dog Leg Reverse Couloir

Making our way up towards the entrance of the Chalkstone Dog Leg Reverse Couloir.

Snow still deep and stable enough for skinning!

Chuck paves the road up this one.

Heavenly scenery!

Looking down the couloir at Matt's kicker, from about half way up.

Getting closer to the top.

Looking down at Karla as she readies for boot packing.

Splitboarder vs. Telemarker

Chuck nears the top.

From the Tele's perspective.

Wearin' o the Grin!

Chuck summits the Chalkstone Dog Leg Reverse.

Chuck and Stacy hanging on the sunny side, enjoying the view- looking down on Lava Mt.

A view down the Chalkstone Dog Leg Couloir (not the Reverse).

Stacy and Chuck looking for Matt.

A look down at lines coming out of the Chalkstone Dog Leg Reverse Couloir. Wow!

Full on shredder Chuck!

A final look back up the Chalkstone Dog Leg Reverse Couloir.

Part 3: The Bottleneck Classic Reverse Couloir

Charging the Bottleneck Classic Reverse Couloir.

This one is pretty straight forward. All business!

Still skinning though. Unbelievable!

Finally gets steep enough for Matt to resort to boot packing.

Matt nears the top.

Ofcourse, he's also got to ski from the very top!

Awfully tight!

Looking back at the Bottleneck Classic Reverse Couloir.

Part 4: Just Plain Fun in the Pow!

De-skinning, preparing to ski powder off into the sunset!

After three couloirs, it was time for gravy. We headed for some fat powder to wrap the day up.

All tuckered out, at the bottom of another great run. What a day!

Headed home, Jules Bowl in the background.

Maybe some of the best powder skiing in couloirs I can remember!

Coyote Nipple Peak II

2009-03-01T15:13:00.000-08:00

Coyote Nipple Peak
Christina Lake Area, Shoshone NF
February 28th, 2009

Coyote Nipple Peak
(11,800 feet)

The Shad Show

Coyote Nipple Peak, as seen from Christina Lake
(click on photo to enlarge)

Park and ski.

It's been a few years since I tackled this peak. The last time I did it was back in March of 2006 (that's when I dubbed in Coyote Nipple Peak- dunno why- I think I saw a coyote that day, and well- from a distance it looks like a...). You can go back and look at that March 06 TR on my blog. There was more snow. The Winds really are looking rather skimpy right now. We haven't skied them much this year for that reason- pretty much no snow since December/ Jan. SNOTEL indicated they received a good eight inches this week though, so we thought we'd make a run up there- see what it was like. Like always, even when conditions aren't the best, we found enough snow and terrain to keep us entertained. Also found evidence of other skiers (tracks)- a NOLS trip. Don't usually see them up there. Interesting.

Chuck traverses up the canyon.

Chuck got the two stick itch. He's been getting jealous of Kara's transition time. Ha! He wanted to taste some of that dynafit/ AT magic for himself. Plus be cracked his snow board bind and was too lazy to fix in time for this trip. I let him try out my K2s for this adventure. The K2s new the way- they made the trek back in 06.

Popping up, over a ridge, the peak comes into plain view.

Charge!

Time to boot.

Chuck makes his way up another aspect of the peak.

Near the top of Coyote Nipple Peak.

Preparing to ski.

Chuck rips it up!

Throwing in a power turn, showing off for the camera!

"I'd rather be boarding."

A look a back at our lines down the peak. Classic Windriver schralping conditions.

Chucks skis off into the sunset.

After 4 to 5K of vertical, a welcome sight! Another great day in the Winds!

Jewel's Castle Couloir

2009-02-23T05:12:00.000-08:00

Storming the Castle
Jewel's Bowl Area, Shoshone NF
February 22nd, 2009

Jewel's Castle Couloir

After hanging out in Jewels Bowl with my wife for a day, near this couloir, I couldn't resist going back in there to take a stab at it. It's been a few years since I skied it last. Chuck and Karla hadn't ever actually been in Jewels' Bowl, and it'd been a few years since either of them climbed up couloir. With fairly stable snow conditions, seems like the time was right to raid the Castle.

Ode' to the Scrubbies

A few look back the other way, towards our sleds, as we begin the climb. Even though there was more fresh snow, it must have come with more wind. Open slopes were looking and feeling a bit more wind affected.

Chuck and Karla at the base of the Castle Couloir.

Chuck makes his way up.

Pausing for a breather.

A look down at our tracks from the top.

Chuck in the Castle!

I get ready to drop.

Looking back on a few of my turns. Kind of variable scralpy conditions- not ice, but not pow either.

Chuck drops.

Weeehooo! All the wasy down.

One last look back, as we headed of in search of powder.

Maybe I'll get up this one again this year?

As the day went on, we dialed in the pow and scored some classic runs through it.

One of many little powder patches we put the chomp on.

A view of Jewel's Bowl from near the top of our powder shots.

Another great day in the backcountry. The second day this year I've spent in Jewels Bowl when we were the only ones in it all day long. I'll take it!

Vianni's Hole

2009-02-18T04:48:00.000-08:00

Vianni's Hole
Absaroka Range, Togwotee Pass Area
February 16th, 2009

I hooked up Matt, his wife Kerry and their dog Lyle, on President's Day. Since there hasn't been gobs of new snow lately, we opted to take the machines a few miles off the road, up near the wilderness boundary where we could access the an area in the wilderness called Vianni's Hole. We figured that was a solid bet for finding an abundance of un-tracked wild snow. Turned out to beautiful day in the backcountry. Got some great video footage. Warning though, the feature motion picture in this TR is my longest yet, 5 minutes. You might get some popcorn before you play it. Ha!

Vianni's Hole

Looking back towards the Tetons from where we parked the sleds.

The forecast called for overcast, cloudy conditions. I expected conditions to very similar to when I skied this area for the first time about two years ago (go back to Feb 2007 on the blog to see that TR). It turned out to be bluebird conditions for most of the day. I'll take it!

Looking down a Matt and Kerry as they pop over the saddle and look into Vianni's Hole.

Looking up towards Matt as he reaches a high point and scopes for lines.

On our way up this ridge line a cornice collapsed underneath me, which sent me sailing down the slope a few feet. We go to looking around and noticed it was actually the crown of an old avalanche that had collapsed. After looking around more, we realized it was a huge avalanche- probably released around the same time as the Lava Mt slide. It slide to the ground pretty much, or the November rain crust layer. At the time though, since we were right on top of it, we really didn't realize how big it was, or realize it had slide to the ground. Thus, we decided to try dropping down it for our first run.

I eased onto the bed surface of the old slide (you can make out the old crown).

As soon as I slid on to the bed surface I start scraping rock, nearly like try to ski gravel. My first two turns initiated a large sluff slide (all new snow) but it stepped down a couple of inches and pulled out all of the snow that was on the bed surface. When that happened it was pretty obvious the bed surface was the ground. Pretty much a steep scree field. Rocks were rolling everywhere. I wanted off the slope.

Watching all the snow fall down the mountain.

I stopped here, turned around and climbed back up to the top. We went back down to Kerry and decided to drop from there. It was a slightly different aspect that hadn't slid. It turned out to be good stuff.

Kerry tears it up.

Looking back on our first run of the day. Beautiful!

The bigger picture.

The photo highlights the old slide. It was big.
(click on photo to enlarge)

The blue outline indicates what slid (to the ground). The blue crisscross indicates the old debri field. The green arrow is where I tried a couple of turns. The red arrow is where the undercut crown line collapsed on me. The slope is mostly north facing. Angles vary between 30 to near 40 degree in some places. Most of the bed surface was scree- small rocks. The snow that was left in places looked like the November rain crust layer. We're guessing the avalanche was at least a few weeks old- probably occuring during the last major cycle.

Matt plows a staircase up a couloir.

After dropping into Vianni's hole we spotted a nice, big, fat couloir that needed some wiggly lines pasted on it. We went to work.

Matt nears the top.

Looking down on me as I near the top. You can see our skin track below.

Posing near the top with the Tetons in full bloom behind me.

Looking back up at our lines and the couloir we just dropped.

Another look from a different angle a little later in the day.

My thoughts on the run.

Lyle soaks up some rays.

Matt paves the way to another run.

Looking back on at where we came from.

Looking up at my tracks from the third run of the day.

Matt and Kerry skin and saddle up for another.

Matt pokes his way across a slope, looking for a gourmet line.

I drop into one that suited me just fine...

Actually initiated a bit of a harder suncrust wind slab on the first turn, but it didn't go too far. After that is was really nice powder. All about face shots!

Looking up at a variety of nifty runs. We only hit a couple.

The view from my last high perch of the day, back out of the wilderness up above the sleds.

Last turns of the day.

Matt throws in some final tele-turns.

The end of another fine day in the backcountry on Togwotee Pass. We could really use another big dose of snow though.

Me and my monkies after a long day of playing.

Jewel's Bowl

2009-02-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

Jewel's Bowl

DuNoir Special Management Area
Absaroka Range, Shoshone NF
February 7th, 2009

All my usual partners in pow were busy this weekend, so I was forced to drag out my secret weapon... the Mandinator, aka- powder assassin extraordinaire! Actually, I think maybe she felt sorry for me and decided to humor me. Plus, she really was itching to put some more miles on her new skis. Either way, it turned out to be a great day!

We dropped the kids off at day care at 8am, something we've never really done before. They loved it- they never get to go anymore since mom is at home now. Tally misses her pals there. I think they tore it up as much as we did. We picked them up about 4:30pm. Minus the drive time, that gave us a good four hours in the backcountry. When you're short on time, it's pretty handy to be able to just drive right up to terrain like this. Closing it to snowmobiles, like some groups are advocating, would make adventures like this, for folks like us, pretty hard to come by.

Sled Head Tinker, decked in Artic Cat green! I think every one just figured her sled broke down and I was giving her a ride. Ha!

After an 8 mile ride into all the way up into Jewel's Bowl, we parked the machine and started skinning...

Going up.

Mandy earns her turns.

That's my wife!

Right on!

The Mandy Movie

Mandy was hoping that the view through rose colored goggles would make the climb less painful. Such an optomist!

De-skinning, preparing to drop, Bonneville Pass and Austin Peak in the background.

A Powder Assassin at work!

Skinning up for more.

Na naa nana nana! Go green lightening go!

Good stuff!

After a couple of runs Mandy took a break and watched me go for a lap...

Making my way up.

Suprisingly good powder up pretty high even.

Taking aim.

Down at bottom again, after a great little shot!

Looking back up at some of our lines.

A panoramic view of Jewel's Bowl.

A few hours went by in a flash! Time to saddle up and head back. We picked up the kids a little after 4pm. We were showered and munching pizza by 5:30pm. Great day!

Tallulah and Seamus had time to get dressed up for dinner.

Seven Sisters

2009-02-03T05:12:00.000-08:00

Seven Sisters Powder Play
Togwotee Pass, Northwest of Two Ocean above Moccasin Basin
February 1st, 2009

Seven Sisters Ridge

Actually, I'm not quite sure what this little mountain goes by. Matt said folks from NOLS dubbed it the Seven Sisters (seven different chutes running off it). Works for me. It's a mountain and ridge line that sits just NW of Two Ocean Mountain. Not super big, but the aspects have the right ingredients for good powder. I've always wanted to scope it out.

Making my way up, Breccia Mt. in the background.

The weather was fantastic. I was kind of thinking about some bigger objectives today. The snow pack seemed to be stabilizing. The nasty November rain crust layer is still something to be scared for your life about though. This was evident as I drove up the pass this morning. The whole east face of Lava Mountain (http://landerbackcountry.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html) ripped to the ground, just a couple of days earlier...

(click to enlarge)

This made me reconsider bigger objectives. I was plum happy just to play in the pow.

Matt makes his way up, pausing for a sweet view of the Tetons.

On top of the ridge looking at all of the options.

Cornices galore, ripe for the plucking.

Matt spies a line.

The Matt Show

Sliding in to find a seat for the Matt Show. Ha!

Looking back at the Seven Sisters Ridge.

After a couple of runs in this area, we spied some more interesting, bigger terrain across the way a little closer to Two Ocean Mt. Since we had the sleds, we decided to load up and buzz on over across the way and try another mountain.

Matt nears the summit of a lesser peak just across from Two Ocean.

I pause and look back as I near the top. What a view!

Good stuff!

Matt takes a beverage break, just below the summit out of the wind, Two Ocean peak in the background.

We found some good pow and a great kicker on the first run down.

Looking down our first lines and the kicker and Seven Sisters ridge in the background.

Shad's hucking series- click to enlarge.

Just plain fun.

Our next run brought us up into a cliff band near the top. Matt hunkers down under a ledge and takes in another great view.

The view.

Moccasin Basin, The Mt. Leidy Highlands and the Tetons all spread out below.

Quite a comfortable little perch.

The black arrow indicates where we were- where we dropped from, click to enlarge the photo- if you can't find it. Our first run we dropped from the summit, a little high up- through the more prominent notch lookers left.

A look at the mountain from a little further away. The runs were probably about a 1000 feet.

This pretty much sums up the day. Another good one!

Classic Southern Wind Pow

2009-01-26T19:50:00.000-08:00

A Classic Powder Day in the Winds
Notch Mountain/ High Marker Hill Area- Christina Lake
January 24th, 2009

Just below "The Notch"

With 3 to 5 inches of fresh snow and no wind, we opted to try the local hill this weekend. We haven't received the snow pack that Togwotee and the Tetons have so far this year. In fact, with the high winds we've been blasted with, parts of the trail into Christina lake are looking pretty bald- perhaps the worst I've ever scene it. We just didn't expect to find the powder or conditions that we did today. Quite a nice surprise! The video says it all, one of my favorite so far...

Go!

Climbing up.

And up some more. Good powder seemed to be sticking pretty high up today.

Chuck transitions for the drop.

Karla skis it up.

The powder just got better and deeper all the way down.

Looking down a few of our runs.

Looking up at some of the same lines.

At the bottom, splitting and skinning up for more.

Chuck rides.

Chuck rips down the mountain, Christina Lake below.

My line down a classic, nifty little shot.

Chuck approaches the same shot.

Launches and lands. Poof!

My turn.

Blower

Christina Pass below.

I had my eyes set on this little kicker.

On approach.

Steady.

Weeehoo!

Poooffff!!

Is he alive?

Oh yea. Great fun!

I actually stuck my first run at this angle and approach. Check out the video (very last run) if you don't believe it. I was proud. Ha!

Six runs, 4 to 5K of vertical later, looking back on a classic Southern Wind stash. What a day!