JanuBuried

 

Two weeks after I declared the stretch from Jan 11-15 the best week ever, it got better. We had an over-producing storm last weekend immediately followed by another round of absolute nuketown. Fortunately the timing lined up perfectly with Andrea's return from Asia - so we got the band back together and took full advantage. Dawn patrolling Tuesday through Friday, and then huge days over the weekend in the sunshine.

This past week goes down as an all-timer. The entire month has been one for the history books. Best. January. Ever.

Tuesday January 24

Triple Short Swing. We love Mill D on a powder morning for a variety of reasons. Quick access from our house and safe tree skiing on higher avy danger days are two of the main ones. 

Wednesday January 25

Triple Short Swing. For the same reasons mentioned above. And those trees! :-)

Thursday January 26

Triple Flagstaff. Needed a change of scenery from Mill D and it seemed like the last blast of the storm favored LCC. All I can say about this one is: OMG. Maybe the best powder we have ever skied (and we have skied a lot of great powder!).

Friday January 27

Quadruple Flagstaff. Same as yesterday but one more and EVEN BETTER because the sun finally broke out and it was just a stunning morning. I even made several sappy comments about how these are the days that fill up your soul - whatever that means! (but I meant it!)

Saturday January 28

Andrea had her Bioventures class today (the punishment for being smart and successful) so I was solo. After a sub-par (relatively speaking, of course) lap off Cardiff Peak, I headed back to Cardiac Ridge and tried to single-handidly ski it out. Cardiac is the epicenter of Wasangeles and for good reason - its awesome! I love how small you feel when you are back in that drainage. The snow was cold, dry, and wonderful. 

Sunday January 29

Back to Days Fork for a semi-repeat of what we did two weeks ago. Emma to Jaws to Main Days / Banana Belt for a bunch of laps. The wind had done a little damage to the higher north facing ridgelines and the sun had put zipper crust on the south facing terrain, but everything sheltered and on the N/NE/E side of the dial was soft, wonderful powder. 

I've already skied more (in terms of vertical feet) backcountry than I did during the entire 2010-2011 dream season. 

What a winter so far!!!

Now it's time to catch up on sleep for a few days, while dreaming of untracked lines and the next storm cycle.