Diurnal Recrystallization

Diurnal recrystallization occurs in the mid-latitude mountains when cold, clear nights alternate with warm days (there's been an inversion around Cooke City lately).  While the temperature a foot below the snow surface remains relatively constant, snow surface temperatures change dramatically.  The surface becomes extremely cold at night and warms during the day.  The end result is the formation of near-surface faceted crystals.  (Birkeland, 1998).

A mid December mixtape.  Ski touring, ice climbing, and yurt building.

New Years resolutions

Here's to a New Year.  And exploring new routes.  (and health, and piece of mind, ect.)

Photo of the Powder Technician yesterday, half way down a 1700' shot we are calling the 'Root Canal'.

A four-star new line.  Knee deep..

Don't be fooled though.  The winds have been blowing (widespread damage), and causing avalanche activity (a half dozen thin soft slab avalanches observed in the last 48 hrs).  Some running a long ways..

out of the blue

There is pack of wolves cruising around Cooke City right now (eight?), which is very rare, with a mid winter snowpack.  And elk in Silver Gate (common, but good luck getting an eye on them ;)

Just got this email out of the blue.  From a fellow that flew over the AB yesterday and made some photos of our ski tracks.

'Flew over your home surf today scouting, saw some pretty tasty zones. Hope to come out soon enough to make some turns.                  (faster farther link)         Cheerio'


Love that last part.  And how he saw Ben and the gang up at Goose Lake as well.

To dissect the the Fin...

Interesting/ ongoing dialogue with this one.  Science, philosophy, art...  An iconic feature.  I'd call it, the premier powder face in the region.  Mesmerizing.  Skied by two parties over the last three days.  (their tracks are just out of view, in today's photo)  In head scratching style.?   Would it be worth skiing the first four turns on belay?  Then digging a snowpit?  Would that compromise (or enhance?) the style?  Is it worth the commitment?  the risk?  the reward?

wind like acupuncture

 300 additional snowmobiles in Cooke City today.  Give or take.  Also observed a herd of fourteen ewes and a ram today.  A record for me.

Currently out east with my family; drinking lots of fine wine, enjoying early morning ski tours around RLM, you know, the usual holiday sorts of things.  

Word on the street is that the powder skiing is remarkably good around Cooke City right now, but there is also talk of recently buried surface hoar.  (stay on your toes).

Mid December Mix-tape (video) to drop in the next couple days.

dancing with the hippo

happy holidays!

Yule tide

Midwinter new routing north of Cooke City.  

Celebrating the Solstice.