I work with pretty awesome people so a team builder isn't really a necessity, but a nicety. I talked a group of alpiners from the Idaho Falls and the Pocatello BLM offices into taking a day off of work and shredding some snow on a two-fer-one day at Grand Targhee Resort. I had 12 participants to start, but they whittled to 6, with the Pocatello office rather under-represented (numberwise, not skillwise, Pacioretty represented). Regardless, it turned out to be an awesome day, though not bluebird, with 5-8 in. new fluffy snow over hardpack...fun conditions...warm temperatures, no wind, no crowds, and oh yea...half price. I was lax on the movie taking...contacts precluded my ability to see the Sapphire controls (a problem I am remedying today)...and frankly, stopping just wasn't something I wanted to do much more than necessary.
Deena working down Chief Joseph Bowl
Break at the Lodge
What I learned about my coworkers...Patch is much better on the hill than behind a semi; Teel is tough as nails; Hill x 2 were all over it; Hill, R.D., just keeps going and going; and Kotansky is magnitudes better than his boots suggest!
This was a great beta-test for another team builder, hopefully this year.
Lessons Learned:
Radios with a group on a big mountain are a must,
Other mountains might accommodate a broader range of abilities,
Get the word out earlier.
Ski On!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Yet ANOTHER Blue Bird Day Valentine's Day 2010
Valentine's Day 2010...with the ones I love, rippin' it up on the slopes. My best friend, Margie; my son, Jeremy; and my soon to be daughter-in-law, Joni, hooked up at Beaver Mountain for a blue bird day of skiing on groomers and powder.
The Big Kahuna Snowman in the Canyon...by the way, this is 10 feet tall, just so you know.
On the Lift
All videos by Sapphire
Playing in Powder, something I've not done enough of
Break at the Lodge
Videos by Sapphire
The Big Kahuna Snowman in the Canyon...by the way, this is 10 feet tall, just so you know.
On the Lift
All videos by Sapphire
Playing in Powder, something I've not done enough of
Break at the Lodge
Videos by Sapphire
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Skiing with the Fam
YET ANOTHER spring ski day. TOO early in the season for that kind-o-stuff. All I have today is a couple videos from the day; mostly for the fam. Sapphire is pretty amazing. The sound pick up and play back is astounding, but when you think about it, that probably should be a given. However, the next generation definitely needs improvements in the video department. Let's start with better lens placement, zoom capability, and a still photo option. A little place to hook a baby leash would be great too. I would use Sapphire more if I weren't in constant fear of watching her careen down a slope, disappear into the snow and/or drop through the deck. Today I figured out in the editing software how to rotate the movie if Sapphire forgets to self-rotate, which she occasionally does. Something else to fix for Gen 6.
Chair Ride
J&J Run
The Deck, Beer, Sun, Snow...Mountain life...gotta love it!
The Mom-in-Law...I prefer MIL, (notice: there is no F in that) ;-)
Videos by Sapphire
Chair Ride
J&J Run
The Deck, Beer, Sun, Snow...Mountain life...gotta love it!
The Mom-in-Law...I prefer MIL, (notice: there is no F in that) ;-)
Videos by Sapphire
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Name That Run !!
Extra points...name that skier...hint: too conservative, too many turns and not all that fast....
It's been too long since I've been to Pebble Creek, a gem of a ski area that we locals don't say much about, because quite frankly we don't want you to show up. 2,200 vertical on ~ 1,000 acres makes for some very sweet runs. All the advertisements say there are trails for everyone. I'm sorry, they are wrong. There's the bunny hill and then there is everything else, at least that is my opinion. You need some descent plank skills to ski here AND enjoy it. But I think everyone should try it once.
Today was a hooky day from work and in nearly spring conditions I had great runs with a work friend. It was supposed to be friends, but the other two bailed...and while I respect their decision to be responsible professionals, I am sorry for them both, for it was truly a great afternoon. Little to no wind, few to any people, good snow conditions, great views of the snow covered valley, comfy temps and enough sun shining through to get an "I've been out skiing" glow.
Things that have changed since i was there last: most all the blue runs have been re-rated to black diamonds (yipee!), the lodge is remodeled (that'll date me), there is a fancy ramp system to keep you from careening into a lodge window (gosh it was so much better with the occasional run-away snowboard shattering the glass), and because there were no wine cups upstairs I was graciously over, over, poured on my apres-ski merlot. I was set up with really sweet demos from John at Scott's for the day, which have totally ruined me and makes my current skis nothing less than anchors to me and hazards to others.
Days like today remind me why I live here, why I commute 100 mi a day to stay here, and why it's hard for me to picture ever leaving. I am blessed by getting to live here and by being surrounded with wonderful people who don't mind hanging out with me. It has been too long since I've been to Pebble Creek. It won't be that long again. Ski On!
Answer to Name That Run?
Videos by Sapphire
Sunday, January 17, 2010
No Whumph - Kelly Mountain
Snow physics is truly interesting. Yesterday, Margie and I went on the same snowshoe route that I did 2 weeks ago on Kelly Mountain. Then (see previous blog), there were several minutes when I was willing to bet Alan and I would make the local paper for starting a slide down Norm's Hill. Just this past Thursday, the northern section of southeast Idaho got hit with a warmer, heavier layer of snow...a wonderful present for the upcoming (this) holiday weekend...and a night and day difference for this area's snow conditions.
Conditions 2 weeks before.
On the way up the Moose Canyon trail, we passed a group of beginner snowshoers and wondered why their "guide" chose the route we were on as it has a steady half-hour or so steep climb. At a junction, two of the group's members decided what we were doing looked more interesting than the turnoff the leader was taking and followed behind us. Noland had maybe 15 years on us (guessing) but was steady and very talkative up the whole ascent. At the ridge, his much-younger-than-us partner had fallen way behind. We had no intention of inviting them with us on the Moose Trail variation, because of it's length and strenuousness, and because someone, who will remain nameless, stayed up too late playing scrabble with a friend the night before and delayed the trip start by 3.5 hours. Since the day was short, we suggested Noland regroup with his friend, wished him well, and took off.
The weather was close to springlike for January. Little wind, lots of sun, and comfortable-cold temperatures. While we still had to break trail a good part of the way, a base of sorts feels to have formed in the snow, and the wind in the last two weeks has done some packing and consolidating as well. We reached the igloo (our usual trip stop) in what would have been record time if we hadn't spent as much time socializing with Noland as we did.
With far less trepidation than 2 weeks prior, we started down Dora's Drop onto Norm's Hill and on an already one-person broken trail. Big difference this time, no whumphs, no cracks, no thrills, no chills. Just an uneventful quick descent. So, it was back to the car and another good day of playing in Mother Nature's gym. (Check Avalanche.org for information about the area you are going.)
Unbelievably, I left my sapphire at home, but remembered the camera has video capabilities too. Just a short clip showing how nice a day it was.
(Make that Highway 26...you can't see I-15, but I had the direction correct.)
Gear Notes. Denali Evo Ascents: I field deployed my floats mid-trek for breaking trail. Removing them when back on packed trails required using my pole tip as a pry bar, just to help pop the set. I used the climbing bars on the steep ascent this time. Because the trail was punched already, the bars helped keep my weight directly over the teeth and kept me from backsliding. I didn't use them two weeks ago in the baseless powder. Traction was better then by having your weight closer to the ground to essentially kick and pack steps...no backsliding then either.
Conditions 2 weeks before.
On the way up the Moose Canyon trail, we passed a group of beginner snowshoers and wondered why their "guide" chose the route we were on as it has a steady half-hour or so steep climb. At a junction, two of the group's members decided what we were doing looked more interesting than the turnoff the leader was taking and followed behind us. Noland had maybe 15 years on us (guessing) but was steady and very talkative up the whole ascent. At the ridge, his much-younger-than-us partner had fallen way behind. We had no intention of inviting them with us on the Moose Trail variation, because of it's length and strenuousness, and because someone, who will remain nameless, stayed up too late playing scrabble with a friend the night before and delayed the trip start by 3.5 hours. Since the day was short, we suggested Noland regroup with his friend, wished him well, and took off.
The weather was close to springlike for January. Little wind, lots of sun, and comfortable-cold temperatures. While we still had to break trail a good part of the way, a base of sorts feels to have formed in the snow, and the wind in the last two weeks has done some packing and consolidating as well. We reached the igloo (our usual trip stop) in what would have been record time if we hadn't spent as much time socializing with Noland as we did.
With far less trepidation than 2 weeks prior, we started down Dora's Drop onto Norm's Hill and on an already one-person broken trail. Big difference this time, no whumphs, no cracks, no thrills, no chills. Just an uneventful quick descent. So, it was back to the car and another good day of playing in Mother Nature's gym. (Check Avalanche.org for information about the area you are going.)
Unbelievably, I left my sapphire at home, but remembered the camera has video capabilities too. Just a short clip showing how nice a day it was.
(Make that Highway 26...you can't see I-15, but I had the direction correct.)
Gear Notes. Denali Evo Ascents: I field deployed my floats mid-trek for breaking trail. Removing them when back on packed trails required using my pole tip as a pry bar, just to help pop the set. I used the climbing bars on the steep ascent this time. Because the trail was punched already, the bars helped keep my weight directly over the teeth and kept me from backsliding. I didn't use them two weeks ago in the baseless powder. Traction was better then by having your weight closer to the ground to essentially kick and pack steps...no backsliding then either.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Whumph, Whumph. Kelly Mountain
I had been itching to get on the snowshoes and get some vertical, and finally it snowed, a lot...actually, too much. What is usually a no-never-mind conditioner at Kelly Canyon took a turn for the frightful....
My friend, Alan, and I ventured out to Kelly Canyon today, where an awesome matrix of snowshoe trails are marked. I was looking forward to a good workout; the entire full-day loop is what I selected. Because of the previous night's heavy snowfall, we had to break through a couple feet of snow, the entire way. I should say, he had to. I took my turn in front several times, but Alan, hands down, took the day's award for trail breaking.
Ridge Stop
It wasn't until we were well past the half way point on the ridge, sheltering in the igloo the boy scouts make every year, and getting ready to head down that it fully occurs to me, "You know, it snowed a lot, there isn't a base, and what we'll be going down is pretty steep. We'll have to stay close to the trees."
Igloo Stop
And so we started down. And it's going fairly well, until I hear whumph. I look around and listen, whumph. I have to get Alan's attention to get him to stop moving and listen...whumph. "That is weird, it sounds like they are blasting the hill (the nearby ski hill), but timewise it doesn't make sense...the lifts are open." I am whispering; he isn't. I suggest we stay extremely quiet. I advise keeping off the open slopes and listening carefully...when we hear it again. We continue down. Whumph. It sounds closer this time and that's when we realize it is us...and then Alan sees "it." "Look," he points, "that crack just appeared." Yike. I look around ... the slope is skiable, the slope is slide-able. This is not good, this is really not good. It's late in the afternoon, doubling back is not an option. There really is no choice other than down and out, and the sooner the better...and that's when I felt the first wave of fright. We quickly head to a tree, reach it, pause, whumph, crack, quickly move to another tree, another whumph, another crack, and the fright continued.
It's not unusual to see an occasional skier when I am on Norm's Hill, a steep, north-facing, lightly wooded, back-country ski slope. It is only 500 feet long, but there are no skiers this day...and no tracks indicating there were any all day. Hum...no base, a major snowstorm, no ski tracks, and steep enough...my stupidity is in full bloom. Worst of all, this isn't news to me. Back-country conditions have been terrible all season. I've watched the Titus Ridge snow pit video, and talked with others that have been out on Teton Pass. But this isn't Titus Ridge or Glory Mountain, it's Norm's Hill for Pete's sake. I can't even process that a slide is possible, but the whumphing and cracking are unmistakable, which means we are exactly where we shouldn't be.
"I think we should head into the thicker area of trees, the more trees the better," Alan said, breaking my self-berating. No argument from me. I stay on his heels...not exactly the prescribed mode of "avalanche country" travel. You are suppose to move one person at a time. That way, if the slope releases, one person should have a better chance for survival and initiate a rescue. But the whumphs continue, we have no avalanche beacons, and staying together and moving quickly and quietly seemed most prudent, so we did. Alan was knee to thigh-high in snow, but it's amazing how fast you can move when you are motivated. Whumph, another crack, whumph, and another. We finally make it to the thicker area of trees and brush. We stop and breathe and do that nervous, relieved laugh. "Don't laugh, we're not down yet," I hush us. We continue down, and the yurt comes into view...there are no more whumphs.
We make our way to the yurt and have it to ourselves. As we warm in the shelter and stoke up the fire, we laugh, and laugh some more, because we can't stop, and I laugh so hard I start to cry, but it was because I knew better. Too greedy to get out I was. Too greedy to be in the beautiful white blanket under tall green pines, and quiet skies, no people, and little wind I was. Too greedy to show a friend one of my favorite places. Too greedy to really remember about being safe. God taught me a lesson in greed today...and even why it is called a deadly sin, because today, it could possibly have been.
Post-Scare Interview (videos by Sapphire [my Ipod])
Philippians 2:3. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but
in humility consider others better than yourselves.
My friend, Alan, and I ventured out to Kelly Canyon today, where an awesome matrix of snowshoe trails are marked. I was looking forward to a good workout; the entire full-day loop is what I selected. Because of the previous night's heavy snowfall, we had to break through a couple feet of snow, the entire way. I should say, he had to. I took my turn in front several times, but Alan, hands down, took the day's award for trail breaking.
Ridge Stop
It wasn't until we were well past the half way point on the ridge, sheltering in the igloo the boy scouts make every year, and getting ready to head down that it fully occurs to me, "You know, it snowed a lot, there isn't a base, and what we'll be going down is pretty steep. We'll have to stay close to the trees."
Igloo Stop
And so we started down. And it's going fairly well, until I hear whumph. I look around and listen, whumph. I have to get Alan's attention to get him to stop moving and listen...whumph. "That is weird, it sounds like they are blasting the hill (the nearby ski hill), but timewise it doesn't make sense...the lifts are open." I am whispering; he isn't. I suggest we stay extremely quiet. I advise keeping off the open slopes and listening carefully...when we hear it again. We continue down. Whumph. It sounds closer this time and that's when we realize it is us...and then Alan sees "it." "Look," he points, "that crack just appeared." Yike. I look around ... the slope is skiable, the slope is slide-able. This is not good, this is really not good. It's late in the afternoon, doubling back is not an option. There really is no choice other than down and out, and the sooner the better...and that's when I felt the first wave of fright. We quickly head to a tree, reach it, pause, whumph, crack, quickly move to another tree, another whumph, another crack, and the fright continued.
It's not unusual to see an occasional skier when I am on Norm's Hill, a steep, north-facing, lightly wooded, back-country ski slope. It is only 500 feet long, but there are no skiers this day...and no tracks indicating there were any all day. Hum...no base, a major snowstorm, no ski tracks, and steep enough...my stupidity is in full bloom. Worst of all, this isn't news to me. Back-country conditions have been terrible all season. I've watched the Titus Ridge snow pit video, and talked with others that have been out on Teton Pass. But this isn't Titus Ridge or Glory Mountain, it's Norm's Hill for Pete's sake. I can't even process that a slide is possible, but the whumphing and cracking are unmistakable, which means we are exactly where we shouldn't be.
"I think we should head into the thicker area of trees, the more trees the better," Alan said, breaking my self-berating. No argument from me. I stay on his heels...not exactly the prescribed mode of "avalanche country" travel. You are suppose to move one person at a time. That way, if the slope releases, one person should have a better chance for survival and initiate a rescue. But the whumphs continue, we have no avalanche beacons, and staying together and moving quickly and quietly seemed most prudent, so we did. Alan was knee to thigh-high in snow, but it's amazing how fast you can move when you are motivated. Whumph, another crack, whumph, and another. We finally make it to the thicker area of trees and brush. We stop and breathe and do that nervous, relieved laugh. "Don't laugh, we're not down yet," I hush us. We continue down, and the yurt comes into view...there are no more whumphs.
We make our way to the yurt and have it to ourselves. As we warm in the shelter and stoke up the fire, we laugh, and laugh some more, because we can't stop, and I laugh so hard I start to cry, but it was because I knew better. Too greedy to get out I was. Too greedy to be in the beautiful white blanket under tall green pines, and quiet skies, no people, and little wind I was. Too greedy to show a friend one of my favorite places. Too greedy to really remember about being safe. God taught me a lesson in greed today...and even why it is called a deadly sin, because today, it could possibly have been.
Post-Scare Interview (videos by Sapphire [my Ipod])
Philippians 2:3. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but
in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Top 10s at Summit Post...
Summit Girl and Deltaoperator (Steve Weston) had the 2nd Best Photo Album of the Year on SummitPost for the "Splattski."
I have been a lurker and participant on the Idaho Summits Message Board for a number of years. The group has an amazing wealth of Idaho mountaineering information, which I have tapped on many, many occasions. This year I finally had an opportunity to climb with them on a group outing and they are just as awesome and inspiring in person. We post our trip reports and photos, celebrating each other's accomplishments, and adding their successes to our respective "project wish lists." Probably because John Platt had posted the most photos on the board of himself with his climbing partners (usually other climbers on the board), we started referring to our own self- and self-and-team portraits as "Splattskis" (his user name). I suggested that we come up with a way for everyone to share their Splattskis, and Steve set up an album at SummitPost...and the uploading began. I then helped "introduce" the Splattski concept to the rest of the SummitPost world through an accompanying article to the album, and the uploading increased.
Perhaps it's the catchy name that has made it so popular. After all, self-portraiture is not a new concept. Climbers have been self-documenting their summits long before we thought to assign a name to it. I have seen a number of John's and he certainly has refined his personal self-photo technique to achieve a very consistent-looking photo through the years. Maybe it was that quality that really made "Splattski" the only name that made sense. Maybe it's just fun to say.
Regardless, amongst the ribbing John endures from us over the Splattski, and our public exploitation of him in this manner, is the graciousness he continues to exhibit. A nicer guy and mountaineering team member you really couldn't find. So our fondness of him, probably above all else, makes the "Splattski" flattery at its finest and aptly named. At the very least, it has been a fun uniqueness to offer the climbing world from Idaho.
Here is the Top 10 Lists and the photo album, and here is the article.
Do you have any qualifying Splattskis to upload? If so, then join us!
Kudos to other Idahoans on the Top 10 lists...Here's to Super Dave (Pahlas) for making two spots in the Top 10 for Mountains and Rocks: White Cloud Peak #10 and Arvals Peak (check his site out off Summit Girl's favorite outdoor links).
Fred Spicker made Number 8 out of the top 10 Routes with the Northwest Ridge of He Devil, and DeltaOperator (Steve) made another Top 10 spot with his Number 4 of the Best 10 Articles 2009: A Petition to Outlaw SummitPorn.
We have a very amazing and beautiful world. While you are at SummitPost, check out the Top 10 Photos for the year.
Idaho Climbers Rock!
Margo's Splattski on the Summit of Al West with the North Face of Borah in the Background. October 10, 2009.
I have been a lurker and participant on the Idaho Summits Message Board for a number of years. The group has an amazing wealth of Idaho mountaineering information, which I have tapped on many, many occasions. This year I finally had an opportunity to climb with them on a group outing and they are just as awesome and inspiring in person. We post our trip reports and photos, celebrating each other's accomplishments, and adding their successes to our respective "project wish lists." Probably because John Platt had posted the most photos on the board of himself with his climbing partners (usually other climbers on the board), we started referring to our own self- and self-and-team portraits as "Splattskis" (his user name). I suggested that we come up with a way for everyone to share their Splattskis, and Steve set up an album at SummitPost...and the uploading began. I then helped "introduce" the Splattski concept to the rest of the SummitPost world through an accompanying article to the album, and the uploading increased.
Perhaps it's the catchy name that has made it so popular. After all, self-portraiture is not a new concept. Climbers have been self-documenting their summits long before we thought to assign a name to it. I have seen a number of John's and he certainly has refined his personal self-photo technique to achieve a very consistent-looking photo through the years. Maybe it was that quality that really made "Splattski" the only name that made sense. Maybe it's just fun to say.
Regardless, amongst the ribbing John endures from us over the Splattski, and our public exploitation of him in this manner, is the graciousness he continues to exhibit. A nicer guy and mountaineering team member you really couldn't find. So our fondness of him, probably above all else, makes the "Splattski" flattery at its finest and aptly named. At the very least, it has been a fun uniqueness to offer the climbing world from Idaho.
Here is the Top 10 Lists and the photo album, and here is the article.
Do you have any qualifying Splattskis to upload? If so, then join us!
Kudos to other Idahoans on the Top 10 lists...Here's to Super Dave (Pahlas) for making two spots in the Top 10 for Mountains and Rocks: White Cloud Peak #10 and Arvals Peak (check his site out off Summit Girl's favorite outdoor links).
Fred Spicker made Number 8 out of the top 10 Routes with the Northwest Ridge of He Devil, and DeltaOperator (Steve) made another Top 10 spot with his Number 4 of the Best 10 Articles 2009: A Petition to Outlaw SummitPorn.
We have a very amazing and beautiful world. While you are at SummitPost, check out the Top 10 Photos for the year.
Idaho Climbers Rock!
Margo's Splattski on the Summit of Al West with the North Face of Borah in the Background. October 10, 2009.
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