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 […]
The Brad Post
I’ll miss Brad Keyes. But not as much as he’ll miss the trails here in Utah. I’ll miss chasing—or being chased by—him in the Intermountain Cup, Friday morning World’s and various lunch rides, night races, and Gooseberry Epic’s. Quite honestly, the flat-landers of the Midwest simply have no idea what has just arrived in their […]
This is the Right Place
“There’s new snow in the mountains.” “Yes indeed.” “We need to go investigate.” “Where do you want to start looking?” “Superior? West Bowl of Silver? Holy Toledo and Cardiac?” “All excellent options.” “Let me take a look at the map…” And so started a chain of events that ended with us all being able to […]
World Views
It is true, we are but faint hearted crusaders, even the walkers, now-a-days, who undertake no persevering never ending enterprises. Our expeditions are but tours and come round again at evening to the old hearth side from which we set out. Half the walk is but retracing our steps. We should go forth on the shortest […]
Persistent Weakness
In October of 2009 the snow started to fall in the mountains. And then, it stopped. November, aside from some intermittent and minor storms was a dismally dry month in the mountains. Good for bike riding. Bad for skiing. And it wasn’t just bad for skiing at that time. Rather, it was bad for skiing […]
Ski Touring American Fork Canyon
American Fork Canyon* has some incredible backcountry skiing. However, because it resides in Utah County (far from the majority of ski tourers) and especially because of the long approaches, many requiring snow machines, AF Canyon sees minimal backcountry traffic. Recently I have started to explore its touring options because, well, I feel it is my […]
