Living in Paradise
“Yesterday was one of those days you’re glad to be alive and living in paradise.” So wrote Bruce Tremper in the Friday morning avalanche advisory. And frankly, he understated the brilliance and unmitigated beauty of the day. Indeed, I have never seen a morning as bright, clear, and breathtakingly wonderful as I did Thursday, January […]
Of Freedom and Avalanches
New Year’s day offered the best skiing of the year. Obviously. But it was also the best skiing of the season—so far. Deep, creamy, and plentiful. There were ear-to-ear grins all across the Wasatch. In fact, skiing fresh powder has an effervescent quality about it that eludes even the mountain bike. Powgasm. It’s that amazing and unequaled experience that drives people out of bed […]
White and Red is Pink.
In March of 1939 Charles “Chick” Pfeiffer was found dead in his Salt Lake City shoe shop. He was still wearing his ski clothes. Chick Pfieffer was one of the founding members of the Wasatch Mountain Club, a group dedicated to outdoor recreation and exploration. Indeed, its club charter stated its purpose as—among other things—”to promote […]
My Favorite Things (2010)
2010, goodbye. And thanks. The expectations I had going into 2010 were met, and in most cases, far exceeded. It was one of those years of ongoing and deliberate adventure, exploration, and even—although modest—success and self-discovery. From a bike racing point-of-view, I am not sure that I could ask for anything more. Despite the delusions […]
Auld Lang Syne
“We meet today, To thank Thee for the era done, And Thee for the opening one.” ~John Greenleaf Whittier “Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.” ~Alfred Lord Tennyson “Write it on your […]
Hike. Ski. Hike. Ski.
If you have read this space for any prolonged amount of time then you no doubt, by now, understand that backcountry skiing is rather like a Hollywood movie. That is, there is a certain formula that is almost always and forever followed: Hike. Ski. Hike. Ski. It’s that simple. But, like the movies, the beauty […]
2010 Favorites (Part 4)
This was taken just recently with my new Canon Powershot S95. I’ll be posting a full review of the nifty little Point & Shoot soon. Everyday I see this view –I know, it’s hard on the eyes, right?. And everyday I think about spending more time on Lone Peak, and in the Dry Creek drainage. […]
How To: Dawn Patrol
There is nothing inherently complex about a Dawn Patrol. And yes, despite Dug’s insistence to the contrary, I will now, and forever, use that term. Step 1: Get up absurdly early and hike up a mountain. Step 2: Keep hiking. Step 3: Hike a little more. And enjoy the sunrise. Step 4: Stop hiking. Commiserate with friends about the […]
