top secret especial

East Hayden

Took the intervalometer and tripod up east Hayden today..

And ended up skiing from the Pilot and Index saddle. more or less by accident. (love when that happens)

Got out with the whitebark gurus today...

Dr. Logan, crushing it as always

The winds picked up a bit..

But we still found lots of fun skiing.

Willie Kern, claiming 'best run of the season'!

and Wally Macfarlane, floating effortlessly

go light, go fast, go far

but, be safe.

Just got back from Billings.  I went down to see a best friend's newborn baby.  Little Rhett!

And figured, why not ski a shortcut back to Cooke City (via the East Rosebud.  about 30 miles).

Well, it turned out to be a bit more than I bargained for.  (super gnarly weather)

So I made the sound decision, and pulled the plug.

Opting to drive back instead.

Now, back in Cooke City, REALLY appreciating the comforts of a cabin and wood burning stove.

My next-door neighbor is probably writing a novel

Living in Cooke City, there's generally fewer distractions (aside from fresh powder, and the endless possibilities of adventure and exploration), so one can more-often 'find' time to read and write, and work on various other projects often pushed aside by the hustle and bustle of urban environments.  Thus, here's a short piece I just put together.  It's from a recent trip to New Zealand.

Now, on to the next.

cadence

As in, how fast you turn your feet over.

skinny skins, long approaches

A quick cadence is important.  Especially on big outings.

Control your metabolism (energy).

Control your breath.  

Don't be afraid to breathe fast.

Endurance will come from enjoyment.

(cause it's fun right!)

And just because you go fast, doesn't mean you can't soak up the views.

(photos from today, en route to Cache Creek)

Snow Hawk rally

You ever see a group of skiers on a trail, 

and think of nothing you'd rather do than ride up to them and crack the throttle!

It's probably more of a subconscious thing,  and I'm sure most mean no offense, but it seems to happen with too common a regularity.

Big Snow Hawk get-together this weekend in Cooke City.

(they even have a sanctioned drag race planned!).

Wonder how they'll fair in a foot of fresh snow?!  ha ha

Anyway, I'll be giving them an basic avalanche awareness presentation tomorrow.

Should be an interesting turn out.

Skied up on a fairly fresh moose carcass today...

Immediately my senses went into high alert.

Am I on a steep enough slope, to outrun a wolf?!

or a pack?!

Nice recon of the Cutoff today too.  A neighborhood giant I'm quite fond of.

(just had a fox lope by my window, as I write this... 3 feet away)

And Now... it's snowing in earnest.