Bluebird at Alta. Not a bad way to end a trip.

Woke up to impossibly blue skies this morning in Salt Lake. Thankfully I'd remembered the time change last night. Anyone else wonder why we can't just stay in this time zone with more daylight and longer afternoons?

Checked the snow report, and Alta had picked up a few inches. I pointed the rig up Little Cottonwood Canyon.

New hemlet, old me. Skiing with tunes was great. Should've listened to Coco years ago!

Little bit of everything today. Some firm snow, some soft stuff, and later sun softened as the temps rose in the afternoon.

The evil geniuses at Alta Ski Patrol opened the Castle later in the morning, and I hiked/traversed up a couple of times. Found some great snow and stunning views off the top on the second trip. My flatlander lungs and legs did pretty well after ten days at altitude and a day off the boards yesterday.

The weather for tomorrow looks like snow, which is great, but unfortunately not for me. The snow is forecast to be moving in too late for me to catch it, but the clouds and cooler temps likely mean a morning of bulletproof conditions.

Sadly, I changed my ticket to head home a day early. I say sadly, but it's been an incredible ski road trip with all manner of snow conditions, skiing with good friends, meeting new people, and time alone with myself. Most importantly, time in the mountains.

While I'm sad to be leaving the mountains and snows of the west, I'm really excited to see Coco. I hated leaving her alone so long, especially for a ski trip, as that's usually one of our favorite things to do together.

Time alone can be spent or squandered, and, while I can't claim a perfect success ratio on either count, along the way I think I (re)learned a few things about myself. I don't need to ski every day, but there's a huge part of me that wants access to the mountains to be just a little bit easier. Winter or summer, having the option to go skiing or hiking that doesn't involve the TSA and playing roulette in the airfare casino or timing post work traffic on the interstates has enormous appeal.

I guess that's the part where striking a balance comes into play.

Definitely not your father's Oldsmobuick.

What's next? Who knows... More Adventure! More Fun! More Snow!

Thanks for taking a look at my first blog effort.

Cheers!

Back to SLC

Dropped the Logans at the airport and took one last spin through Jackson before heading south. Not much to report, but a pretty drive through some desolate and spectacular country. Travelled through the Targhee and Bridger National Forests. The latter, judging by the number of trucks, trailers, and tracks is a favorite with the snowmobile set.

The photo above is a view of the large elk herd at the National Elk Refuge just north of Jackson. They supplement the elks' diet during winter months, which is why you may be able to see a tractor driving near the herd.

These elk antler arches mark the four corners on the town square in Jackson. There was a similar antler structure spanning the four lane road through the town of Afton, WY further south.

Mountain goats taking advantage of the warmer weather at lower elevations.

There is something quite extraordinary about driving through this vast, sparsely populated countryside. Sorta gives you all the time and space you could ever need to pause and think a spell.

Traffic jam, southwest Wyoming style.

Whole lotta nothin'

Tomorrow Salt Lake.

Cheers!

Last Day in Jackson Hole

Back to the mountain for my final day in Jackson. The mountain picked up 6" on the upper slopes last night as a fast moving cold front blew through the valley. We found colder temperatures up top and some soft skiing in the trees and steeps on north facing slopes. The weather lifted later in the morning and provided incredible views of the surrounding peaks and valley. I have to confess after ten straight days on the boards my legs were junk.

In fact, all three of us were pretty well done. We retreated to grab some grub and check out the sights of Jackson mid-afternoon.

Lobsters are just a bit more expensive here.

Toto, I don't think we're in Ipswich any more...

The world famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.

After roaming about a bit, we made our way to Teton Thai for some incredibly good thai food.

Teton Thai is a tiny hole in the wall, but an absolute do not miss, if you're looking for truly tasty eats. The restaurant is so small, in fact, that it only has a few counter seats looking into the cooking area, and the next group that came in after us was seated in the pantry/prep area.

The staff are all incredibly nice. They clearly thought your humble corespondent was pretty funny looking as my head became drenched with sweat after eating one of the medium hot dishes. They asked and took a picture to document the event, but were kind enough to allow me to return the favor.

Cheers from Wyoming!

Utah tomorrow.

Grand Teton National Park Backcountry

Today we went for something different. Backcountry skiing in the quiet and extraordinary beauty of Teton Nationsl Park, although in reality only 15 minutes down the road, felt worlds away from the crowds on the mountain and the hustle and bustle of the town of Jackson.

We met Ben Gilmore of Exum Mountain Guides at 8:00 and geared up. Although he spent his childhood on the coast of Maine learning to climb in Acadia National Park and later working as a climbing guide in North Conway, NH, the allure of the big mountains of the west proved irresistible. He worked in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest before landing in Jackson in 2004.

After a refresher on the use of our avalanche beacons, we began skinning up the 3500' climb to our destination. Hard work climbing at altitude with packs and all our ski gear! We were all new to AT skiing, but it quickly became obvious why the sport places such a premium on light weight gear.

Beautiful climb with a few stops through forest accompanied by only the sounds of the wind, my own breathing, and the occasional call of the ravens. We popped out of the trees in open sections that afforded beautiful views of the valley below. Easy going and affable, Ben pointed out the far mountains and had ready answers to our questions.

The whole trip up and down was an amazing experience and has inspired me to do more of this kind of skiing. Of course, it will require a different mind set toward risk as well additional knowledge, planning, and gear, but all worthwhile. Must be why so many of my friends who are backcountry skiers spend so few days on lift served mountains.

Heading to bed happy and exhausted to the sound of the wind howling as the next system moves into the area.

More tomorrow.

Cheers!

Jackson, Day Two

Great day at Jackson Hole today. Woke to 5" of new snow on the upper mountain. The new fluff freshened conditions up and apparently did the same to my quads as they felt noticeably better today. Fantastic laps through trees and soft snow on north facing slopes off the Thunder and Sublette chairs. A really great day of skiing.

The day started off with bright sunshine and a distinct thermocline felt as we lifted up the hill. Provided an opportunity to get some photos of the stunning scenery. People were hiking into the side and back country and going huge. If you look closely at the mountain behind Brian and Brooke in the photo below you should be able to see tracks where people had been launching large cliffs.

The afternoon socked in, however, and started snowing again. Locals say it's been snowing like this all winter. Maybe no epic 30 inch dumps, but rather 4 inches, then five, then ten, day after day after day. Building, filling, and refreshing the snow, all making for a truly phenomenal season.

Knocked off around two and ended up grabbing a bite in a bar packed with the Teton Gravity Research crew. Sounded like they'd been out taking advantage of the sunshine and clear conditions and doing some filming.

Hunger extinguished, we headed into town to rent AT gear for our next adventure. Had to go to a few different shops to get everything we needed. As luck eould have it, a number of the stores were holding their end of season demo gear sale and were reluctant to rent the gear they hoped to sell.

Tomorrow, we're meeting with a guide from Exum Mountain Guides and heading into the national park. Should be an interesting change of pace away from the lifts and people in town and on mountain. I'm looking forward to seeing the scenery and working uphill to earn some turns.

Quick photo of the cabin where I'm staying.

More tomorrow. Cheers!

Fat Tuesday at Jackson Hole

So, following the evening of one thousand mustaches, we pick up the story again with my first day at Jackson Hole. Skied here about 18 years ago (part of a road trip driving an unregistered car from Portland, OR to Boston... Long story) and haven't had the chance to get back since. Clearly, a massive, glaring gap in my ski resume, if not my sanity. Of course, my first day back wasn't just any day; it was Fat Tuesday.. Mardi Gras in all of it's debauched glory.

And yes, she works here.

The snow that started last night didn't amount to much, and Brooke, Brian, and I were fried and sore from epic laps yesterday at Targhee, not to mention their powder day Sunday at Jackson. One of those situations where I am absolutely stoked for them and cursing at the same time as locals told them Sunday was one of the top three days of the year.

Despite aching legs and knees, we found some good skiing higher up off the tram and Thunder lift, but lower down the sun and warm temps had worked their evil spell and crust with dust was the order of the day. The north facing slopes and trees were great, but the bottom of mountain was a little brutal.

The back and side country were clearly where it was at, but we lacked in both the gear and local knowledge departments.

In the wildlife department and utterly apart from costumed Mardi Gras revelers, saw two moose on one of the trails today. I'd never seen a moose before. Tried to get a photo, but I wasn't fast enough. Strange, gangly looking animals. They trotted by on the cat track and then headed off into the thicker trees and brush.

Snow showers throughout the day, but little accumulation. Found some decent tree lines and then called it for the day. The sun came out and afforded some great views of the mountain. Beers on the deck, Mardi Gras, and snow in the forecast... Not so bad.

Thanks to Brooke and Brian for some of the better photos.

Coming up, more Jackson Hole and then a guided back country adventure in the national park.

Happy Fat Tuesday. Cheers!