December 22, 2014

Early season SkiMo


The early season snowpack in the Wasatch is thin (Dec 17 Snotel)Thin is good in running... not so much for skiing! We're not alone - the entire West is hurting so far (although several feet of wet, heavy snow is coming down as I type this, so hopefully I'm not jinxing a reversal of our fortunes).

So while we haven't been skiing any deep powder, Andrea and I have been out a few times with the local SkiMo crowd - Tuesday night races at Brighton and Sundance's Alpe D'Vert. These have been a fun way to log some vertical and start getting our legs under us for when the backcountry season really ramps up.

I keep saying I'm not getting into SkiMo racing... We'll see how long that statement lasts :-)


Alpe D'Vert at Sundance


Andrea and Amiee after Alpe D'Vert




A little ski tour on December 14th... searching for winter

December 8, 2014

Moab in December

Delicate Arch is fantastic place to finish the day

Andrea and I would rather ski on a big fat snowpack (in t-shirts) in May/June than on a shallow snowpack, scuffing up our bases on rocks in December. With WARM temperatures (high 50s) in the forecast, we decided to drive down to Moab after work on Friday afternoon for some more fun in the desert. Southern Utah has treated us very well this Fall.

I got in a pair of runs on a favorite route (Kane Creek Road). We hiked around Arches National Park (had the place to ourselves). We rode our mountain bikes on the M-O-A-B brand trails (fun!). We stumbled across the Moab Christmas Electric Light Parade (who knew such an event existed?!). We went out for some good food (we highly recommend the Moab Brewery).

Winter is coming. I don't know when we'll be down south again, but I'm itching for some ski mountaineering in the La Sal range next spring.

The clouds parted just in time after an overcast day



Another shot of Delicate Arch



Turret Arch



Andrea under the North Window



Balanced Rock



Running on Kane Creek Road



Andrea biking on the Bar-M loop

Christmas Electric Parade in Moab. Surprisingly entertaining!