087 - 2010-03-21 Shadow Mtn

It had been all too long since I'd been in Jackson Hole proper and Gibby and John had never been there. With weather gods delivering in spades, his had the makings of a great day and we had the place to ourself. Shadow Mtn is on the east side of the hole and the trail, actually an old 2 track, starts out mostly flat and then winds back into the woods and hills that eventually become the Gros Ventre. After 3.5 and 1500 of vert you find yourself on a mellow ridgetop looking across to the most magnificent range on the continent.

Hung out there for a while, enjoying the view, fine beverages and some eats. Run back down was great, mostly avoiding the up track and making some mellow turns through open glades. Ended up popping out of the hills between 2 McMansions - oops! Highlight of the day was Gibby being in the zone and leaving us in his dust - another win for 5 Hour Energy! Got back to town too late to take in the pond skim at Snow King. Finished the day at Nikai; a little trendy, a little impressed with itself, but not too bad.

Conditions - Total bluebird windless day, it just doesn't get any better! Snow was sled made death cookies on the trail for the first halt and then started to get a bit moew pliable. Was able to get a bit of crust skating off the trail while still on the flats, but the Karhu's suk for skating. Way back down was soft spring fun.

Ski - Karhu Dorado 195 Worked well for the first bit, then let John use them because they have better grip, though they still are teh suk for skating.
Rossi TMS 205 - These were the bomb back in the day, but that was a long time ago. However they ain't too bad and they just don't make double cambered tele skis these day, but they were the ticket for this trip. Waxed them tip to tail with blue special and red in the kick zone - it worked! Run back down went well and holy s@^t I can still turn 205s.
A few more pix at http://teleturn.smugmug.com/2010-Winter/Shadow-Mtn/

086 - 2010-03-20 Teton Village

Second day in Jackson with bluebird skies. Walked up and saw no line for the Tram - Yee Ha lets go! On going through the turnstiles a patroler said it was the worst conditions he had ever seen; this was a prescient statement. On the way and at the top we could take in the North American Ski Mountaineering Championships, a mostly, yes there were a couple lonely telemarkers, randonee race. Once up top, we skied to the top of Corbet's to watch the racers boot up. After that we traversed over to Rendevous Bowl, where the steep icy bumps destroyed my spirit and more; I was in teh sux mode!

This continued until we moved to the eat place near the top of the gondola for a break. After that we headed over to Apre-Vous. Maybe it was some food or conditions changing toward softer snow, but of a sudden I was in the zone, total opposite of before. Though some say it was due to the Jaeger. Spent the afternoon over on that side and slowly moved toward the center of the mountain. A good full day, but a bit uneven for me. Highlight of the day was Gibby blissfully unawares skiing past several closed sign. Closed the day at Mountain High Pizza Pie - still the best!
Conditions - Icy evil in the morning, soft and fun in the afternoon.
Ski - G3 Rapid Transit 178

085 - 2010-03-19 Snow King

Rolled into Jackson, checked into the room and had a fine lunch. Then we headed out on the hill for what is termed night skiing, but with a sunny day and daylight savings time, it was a nice late afternoon ski with questionable snow. Total highlight of the day was some guy who loaded a couple of chairs in front of us carrying a bunch of race poles. Somehow it didn't work out for him and he was hanging by an arm from the chair - oops, things hanging by a thread! Lifties and patrol got together a bunch of of giant cushions and, after a bit, he dropped into them. Ran into Jack McConnell, who I hadn't skied with in 20 years. Lost my phone, but they found it at the top of the Couger lift. After a few more challenging runs, went back to the room to find John and Yatsuko already into the beverages and the obnoxious fun began. Carried the fun patrol to Teton Thai - best in a long time, thank you internet!

Conditions - Death cookies times two. Jack, who runs patrol there, said it was the worst of the year. I kinda liked it and the whole day had brilliant sky and air.
Ski - G3 Rapid Transit 178

084 - 2010-03-14 Bridger

A nice sunny day at Bridger with Hayden, Mahala and Jen. Spent the morning skiing with Jen across the mountain in mixed conditions. Afternoon with the kids was also across the mountain, with the terrain park thown in. Gus joined us for a run down Pierres Knob. Then up hooked with Todd and Dave for a cold beverage in the Deer Park Chalet. A fine day out.
Conditions - A couple inches of fresh (Thank You God!) made for dust on crust in the morning, and there were a few sweet spots. Things got soft and enjoyable across the board in the afternoon. Plus I didn't suck!
Ski - G3 Rapid Transit 178

083 - 2010-03-13 Goose Ck

5 days of no skiing atrophies the mind, body and soul. A good remedy is to slap on skins and head to the top of Chesnut Ridge with Niko and Gibby. The up part went well, the down part less so.
Conditions - Funky overcast day, that was mostly below freezing, quite chilly on the ridge. Skin track up was very firm. Coming down the upper open snow fields was breakable crust that I linked wrecks on, trail back down was a bit more fun.
Ski - G3 Ticket 174

082 - 2010-03-07 Sourdough

Went up to Hyalite where Catherine was going to show me and Niko the skijoring ropes. Some idiot forgot his boots and didn't get to ski at all. We did get some pointers and Niko got in a good short ski with her while wearing a full harness.

Later that afternoon, me and Niko went up Sourdough. Slow Snow + Slow Dog + Slow Me = Slow Ski. Still feeling the cold and misc minor injuries. The first mile and half were rough and I had to make a couple stops. Things got a little better after that and we made it to the base of the hill a way past the 3 mile marker. Run back down was slower than I would have liked.
Conditions - A very warm day, first flat part was almost sloppy. Somewhat better after that.
Ski - Fischer SCS 185

081 - 2010-03-06 Bridger

Went to Bridger for the Pinhead Festival and a bit of skiing with Yatsuko. This year's theme was Carnival and a good number turned out in full party attire for fun in the sun and snow. Still feeling a bit bashed up and my skiing was not as on as I would like it to be. Did some minor hamstring damage and it hurt while turning. Yatsuko dragged me over to Schlasman's, where we had a good view of the crown from the huge Saddle Pk avalanche a couple weeks ago. Interesting run down that I would like to revisit when I've got the mojo back.
Conditions - Warm and sunny day with plenty of sun softened snow. I think the term is Spring Skiing, a bit early for my taste though.
Ski - G3 Rapid Transit 178

080 - 2010-03-05 Moonlight

JC's last day before a return to Chicago and a year of no skiing. A splendid opportunity to abuse him! But abuse was not his alone, started out the day feeling beat up from a cold and finshed feeling beat up from misc face plants. Began skiing well and dragging JC around to various places. After some good morning runs, things devolved to agro skiing with a number of painful mistakes. Ran into Gibby who was taking an Av Level I. Highlight was a Lone Tree traverse over to the upper bowl and nice arcs in 4+ of fresh. Finished off with cold beverages in the Moonlight Lodge.
Conditions - A firm base from the last few warm days with 2-4 of fresh. Mostly cloudy and temps around freezing. Worked out pretty well.
Ski - G3 Rapid Transit 178

079 - 2010-03-03 Sourdough

A real warm day in the valley, maybe 50. But the skiing was splendid, even wore shades for a portion, good opener for the first March ski. Powered up to the 2 mile marker like never before and held well to 4. Might be the first time I made to the bridge on a mid-week after work blast. Run back down was fast, but in control. Maybe 9.8 miles in 1:10 with plenty of light at the finish.
Conditions - Warm spring like snow, but packed and not slop, it held the skis well.
Ski - Fischer SCS 185

078 - 2010-02-28 Moonlight

JC is in town, so a day at Moonlight was in store with him, Dunc and Gibby. Another good Moonlight day with a strong crew. Hit a bunch of good stuff off of Lone Tree, Headwaters and other points. Skied well, even zippering bumps - what's up with that? Highlights were JC just having a real good time and Gibby doing a full body descent down Obsidian without skis. Best run was a soft and sunny trip down some of the Challenger terrain from the Headwaters lift. Finished with cold beverages at JC's condo with his extended family.
Conditions - Started out warm and sunny. This made for soft and enjoyable snow. Clouded up a bit later on, but stayed good.
Ski - G3 Rapid Transit 178