POWDER HOUND

Update my life

2011-09-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hello all its been a while since a I posted here. There has been quite a few changes in my life since last January.

We'll start where I left off. I had interviewed for a company named Splore, in SLC. The interview went well and I was hopeful that I would be offered the job. It was a day back in February I was teaching a private ski lesson and we had braked for lunch. I got a phone call from my suprevisor Janine that Splore would like to offer me the job. I was so excited. The position is titled Northern Program Manager. My position is like the one I had in Vermont with Vermont Adaptive, only the program is bigger. I also have full time paid staff, and I still manage volunteers.

I started back in April 4th. Last 5 months have blown by. It was a real trail by fire. There is nothing like walking into a program you know little about, only 2 months before your busy season. I have done well. Our user days are up and all my staff are happy which leads to happy clients. So you all know how I like to feel bad ass. So what is more bad ass then being one of about three guiding companies in the Wasatch to have permits to use US forest service land.

I have also been falling back in love with a Miss Kristen Courtney. We had dated briefly back in 2009. Since then we have kept in touch and rekindled what was so meaningful to each of us. It has been a long and torturous road since we wrote letters in February. Lots of travel and periods of no communication.

Kristen had been living in Tucson, AZ then Durango, Co. Durango is about 7 hours from SLC, UT. Once things began to get more serious we decided to travel the long distances for visits. I hopped on a plane in February to visit the heated state on AZ. Total switch from the winter wonderland of UT. While I was there we visited the desert museum and the Bio Sphere. The place was cool and educational. If you are ever in AZ check it out. I was also able to see the southern most ski resort in America. There was still snow there, we didn't ski. The visit only solidified that fact we never stopped loving each other.

It wasn't long, March, before Kristen was up here and we got to ski together. We spent the day at Solitude. I probabaly snowed and we had a blast, as per ususal chasing each other around the mountain. Since March Kristen was back in Durango. This made things a little better. It was a seven hour drive and more managable on our wallets. This journey we have embarked on has been both hard and fruitful.

As time drew on Kristen was getting more and more burnt out with the company she had been working with. We were also wanting to be closer and not have to travel so far. After I got the job with Splore we decided Kristen would move in with me in SLC. She found a part-time job, a cute puppy and headed up to SLC in August. Its been a month and things are still good between us. We had always looked at having roots as a burden. As it turns out having roots is just a stable place to come home to after any adventure.

On to May. Scott and I have been talking about buying a house. We believed it was better to pout money into something that was ours and not somebody else's. I was away on my mountaineering trip, pictures on facebook, in Stanley ID. When I got back to my truck and checked my phone Scott had put a bid on a house. He did so because the house needed nothing done to it to live in. So we now own a house. We are always tinkering and have projects going on, now we have a huge project that will hopefully make us some money when we go to sell the house.

It is now September, the end of September. our house is more our home. We have painted, planted, remodeled, and made it our own. My partner, Kristen is moved in and I have a real and stable job that is challenging and fun. Now for the fun part of the story. About 24hours ago I had just gotten home from ACL reconstruction surgery.

I had partially torn my right ACL in Jan. 2010, while skiing. I missed most of that season. I ended up getting it scoped and the doctor thought it would be fine with some PT and a brace. Not sure why but it turned out it wasn't. In the year and a half til I saw a new doctor, I must have done more tearing and my new doctor said," If I was strong enough I could pull your knee apart." So yesterday I got a new ACL. The short time I have been post surgery has been fine.

I am motivated to give 115% to recovering and working out to be in better shape then when I got surgery. Wish me luck and feel free to ask how things are going. I could use all the accountability I can get.

Well now you have been updated to my life. Life is good and getting better. Hope you can say the same, if not make a change.

Time Keeps ticking, ticking, ticking...

2011-01-27T19:59:00.000-08:00

So my Norwegian Ski School director reminded us yesterday in our morning meeting that there is only 2.5 months of the season remaining. We all cringed a little, the words were like painful and disheartening. Today I didn't work, so I got to ski all day, well at solitude a full day can be skied in about 3 hours. A few co-workers and I decided we would work for our turns. We took the slow lift and boot packed, hiking up "stairs" in the snow skis over your shoulder, up a ridge till we got to a nice open meadow. We took two runs up this ridge. These and a few others runs made the day. The snow was soft and fast, the sun was bright and the goggle tans dark.
So its been a full day and I have been reflecting on my season. The snow has fallen and stopped, but we have not cared. The snow came in deep. It has also lasted through the slow month of January. Now with the last weekend of January approaching we are looking forward to the snowy months. I would be satisfied with my season if the snow melted tomorrow. Good thing it won't. We have gotten about half of our average snow fall with 2.5 months left. I think it'll be a great rest of the season.

My skiing life

2011-01-10T16:27:00.000-08:00

So this season started back in October. It was almost 10 months to the day since I had been on skis. Back in the fall I can't begin to explain the dread and hesitance that loomed over my knee. I was also so excited to be back. My emotions were playing a game of war over how I was going to ski.
It started with headed up Alta with a few work friends. When we got to the top of the slope I asked " Hey can I not go last, in case my knee is a problem?" They all let me go first. I had new and the stiffest boots I have ever owned and huge anxiety over my knee. On the uphill it was fine, held up to the two two laps. On the way down It was scary. First turns were way less aggressive then I usually ski. I thought the boots were too stiff and I made the worst decision of the season and the season was over before it began. I ski hard and I love to ski hard. after the first run I was devastate, crushed and wanted to cry the reach of the way down the hill, MY SEASON WAS GOING TO SUCK.
Then I left Second Nature, and become a ski bum. I got a job teaching skiing to kids at solitude ski resort. The snow continued to fall and it was a great early season, for skiing. For work it was slow and that was compounded by the fact that I have forgotten what is was like to be in an industry reliant on tourism. We, the locals were revealing in the the early snow and some of us could not imagine why we didn't have any ski lessons. It was some of the veteran instructors who had to remind us that good early snow doesn't equal lessons. Then came the Christmas vacation came around and so did the tourist with more snow. I planned on working the whole 20 days over the break. It was a time to make money and I wanted my share. I worked groups and private lessons with families. When I worked with the families it was like a movie, Aspen Extreme to be accurate. I got lunch everyday. Once we walked into the slope side bistro, boots on and all, it was fancy. I put my ski school jacket over the chair and tried not to grin too wide. At the end of the meal, in which I had one of the best club sandwiches ever, we got a discount because of my jacket. Man I was living the life. After that I was told I was given another private because I was working hard and doing a great job. I was give the opportunity to establish a client base for the following season, again living the life. It was a wild ride over the break. I even got sick I was working so hard. Then the lessons stopped. And we are all waiting for the next big ski weekend, Martin Luther King weekend. To this day I have skied 400,000 vertical feet at solitude in 33 days, that is 12,000 vertical feet a day on average.
And that is only the front country, or like my great grandpa said "On the yo-yo" referring to the lifts. Today I went out and toured in Big Cottonwood Canyon. We skied about 3000 feet today. This is my 9th day in the backcountry. The avalanche conditions have been fairly mellow all season. Which has made the challenge finding the good snow to ski. Since it hasn't snowed much in the last 2 weeks, we are very spoiled here and you can hear us whine about it too, the southerly facing stuff has a sun crust (http://www.fsavalanche.org/Encyclopedia/sun_crust.htm) about an inch thick. This makes for some hard turns and not fun skiing. So today were hiked and skied some of the best untracked snow that region. It was so fun and the turns so good, even the tired wanted more. Those endorphins that pumped through us made us crave for more good turns, made us push our empty tanks uphill one more time for those most coveted turns.
While in bounce, in resort, I have been mostly on my alpine skis. I have become aware of my bad habits on my alpine skis and on occasion I can make a run look good. When we don't teach we head out and do clinics, free ski lessons and tricks to help us teach. Which has all made me a better skier. It is a funny switch from one setup to another, teles to alpines.
Life has been good and money has been on the fence, but for the type of life I'm living I can't complain. Money will come and that is that. Hope all is well with all of you and enjoy what you are doing, or find something you do enjoy.

Its a New Year

2011-01-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

Another day in Paradise
Scott on yesterdays tour in Silver fork in BCC

Self portrait in grizzly Gutch in LCC...nov 18th

Well things have been a bit crazy for the last few weeks. I have been working way harder than my paycheck says, ski instructors like waiters live of tips. My tips have been more than my paycheck, but I have been skiing on all the good days. I have acculminated over 350,ooo vertical feet at solitude and about 8,000 vertical feet of back-country skiing. UT is my back yard and my playground.
It was weird working on the holidays like I did in Vermont and strangely ok. The days are short as a ski instructor, at least in hours, but long when things are hard. Life can't be bad when you are skiing for a living. I do have my complaints, cold boots, wet gear and not skiing on powder days, but that is only when its busy. When its not I get the whole mountain to myself. So come on out and visit its ski season.

Winter has Arrived

2010-10-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

So, it was Tuesday at about 6 o'clock. A co-worker was holding the door open for me at base. He asked me if I was skiing on Wednesday, I said heck yes. So we met in the Goldminer's Daughters parking lot at Alta ski resort at 8am on Wednesday October 27th 2010. There was 3 feet of snow and all of it the kind you can only find in the state of UT.
It was a stiff start to a new season. New boots, recovered ACL, and a cold to top it all off. We hiked up about 2,500 feet to the shoulder of Baldy ridge, above the Wildcat lift at Alta. We checked the snow pack and found that is was stable and ready to get shredded. I voiced my concern about my knee and asked not to go last in case it was to give out and I needed help down. So i got to go first.
I cursed my decision to get the stiffer boots once I couldn't make a left turn. As the day went on I was mislead. My climbing bail, a piece of metal used to aid in skinning up steeper hills, was still up and prevented me from making a turn. The next run was way better. Fearing my legs getting weaker I made more alpine turns. Then the last run. After a short break for well deserved views, we headed down the east side of the wild cat lift. This run I skied for Julia. We had done this one our first season out here. I killed it, tele turns and all. I did manage to pull off a great summer-sault where I landed back on my skies to ride away. The day was prefect. The ones where you say things like "I live here". So I can say I took my first turns of the season on October 27th, it feels like it will be one of those seasons, epic that is.

Bob Dylan was right

2010-10-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

Logan hanging out on the base of a climb at Indian Creek
Me attempting to boulder at Big Bend boulder in Moab. I never made it higher that that move.

So the times they are a changing, says Bob Dylan. And he is right. I have two shifts left at Second Nature and I'm still in limbo about what is next. I have two ski instructor positions I am gunning for and a seasonal warehouse job at Backcountry.com. Its weird that I have allowed myself to be in limbo. The rational part of me wants to freak out, which I have done already, and the irrational part of me is enjoying the fact that I might struggle for a short time. I want nothing more then to be outside, teach and be on my skis for a living. By living I mean paying my bills, rent and have a little left over for food. It has been a while since I have been a full fledged ski bum.
I have spent 3.5 years at Second Nature and I'm in need of a break. I have spent the last few weekends going on adventures. Just last weekend I went done to Moab last weekend to climb and get away from the big city. It was fun. Bouldering, swimming, hanging out and climbing in Indian Creek for a few days. I got a taste of the "dirtbag" lifestyle and I enjoyed the flavor. We camped out of my truck and get up when we got up and did what we wanted.
When we were in Indian Creek we camped with the rest of the climbers who were there to enjoy the rock. A sea of cars and trucks all ready for camping and "dirt bagging". We all pooled our resources for a potluck style meal, sharing all that we all had, and sleeping till the sun came up to climb before it got hot. We had a fun and relaxing time in the desert.

So I'm writing from my friends house in Park City, I'm dog sitting. Its really fall up here and I'm itching for ski season. If I get the ski instructor jobs I will be asked to alpine again. I haven't done that for about 5 years. I know I'll remember, the muscle memory from the last 20 years will kick in and things will be fine. God just let it snow and snow a bunch, can I put my order in for another 700 inch year???
I got enough money to get by for a few months and I'll looking forward to the challenge of the pay cut. As one of my co-workers said this week, DIRTBAG engaged.
Wish me luck.

Another week another dollar

2010-08-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

Well it was wet out this week in the field. I found out the hard way that my rain jacket needs a new layer of weather proofing and I also found out that my pack is broken. Guess that is why it felt funny all week while we were hiking, I just couldn't get it to fit just right. Other than that it was a normal week of managing the youth at risk.
I just finished my last visit to my physical therapist today. No more funny excersices that seem to have no relavance to my knee. I'll miss going. The atmosphere is inviting and motovating. I have learned a lot from all my sessions and hopefully will be able to continue with a routine for ski season. Now just sitting around killing time till the snow starts to fall. Hopefully only 2-3 more months.

A solid week so far

2010-07-23T16:29:00.001-07:00

Well it was saturday or even monday in the field and I was daydreaming about the adventures I would have during my off week. The ideas were endless. The dreams ranged from an epic adventure to CA to sitting in my basement watching movies on our big screen and stadium seating. I needed a week to really get back to the things that keep me motivated. So I decided to stay in SLC, and play with my friends and house mates. It friday and I have climbed hard all week with little plans of slowing. Wednesday went to fergison canyon climbed 9s and 10s. Thursday it was 3 pitches and then a 6 and a really classic 10 all in Big Cottonwood canyon, then bouldering in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Friday we headed up to Little Cottonwood Canyon to climb the Hell Gate Buttress. Its was a long 9 that felt really alpine. Tomorrow back to fergison to attack that 10 i was too spent to make the hardest move to get to reach the chains. NOW IF IT WOULD JUST SNOW I WOULD BE BEYOND HEAVEN.

The day the Chickens died

2010-07-07T09:42:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been about 2 and a half months since getting my chickens. They have yet to lay any eggs. I have spent about 200 dollars on all the stuff to make those f'in chickens comfortable and to keep them safe. Yet they still decide to not lay any eggs. I think the dog has had his fun with them and they have not enjoyed the reindeer games he has been playing. So at the end of the month it will be to the chopping block and off with their heads. They have given no return for the effort they have received. The plan is to have a BBQ spit roast style with them. I guess I'm no good at being a chicken farmer. It was a quality experience that won't be repeated. So come one and all to the BBQ.

niphomania and random thoughts

2010-06-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

So I was surfing the normal sites that I visit while bored and trying to entertain myself. There I was on telemarktips.com, a forum site for the free heeled, and found a posting for "is there a single word to describe snow obsessed?" In the topic was a link to a site that gives you information about words. Little did I know NIPHO is Greek for snow, snowy or wintry. Also list was some derivatives. As i scrolled down I found the word NIPHOMANIA, an abnormal desire to have snow and to be active in snowy surroundings. This would be the word I would use to describe my self and desires. Guess that makes me a niphomaniac.
On the less random side of things my chickens have not yet laid any eggs. If they don't lay eggs in the next month my girlfriend and I will not be able to wait any longer, we might have to make soup and have a BBQ.
My heinous roommate has left. It was awkward for about 2 weeks and it took him all day and till 130am to leave. As an adult he defiantly struggles in my book.
Logan is good and excited to get back to the field. He gets his wish tomorrow. Our numbers at Second Nature and rising, schools are letting out, and we have been fortunate to open another group. So i have been ask to go back to the field. It is a week earlier than i might like. I see my doctor on the 23rd and hopefully get a full clear and not have to see him till next time I get hurt.

Hopefully all is well in your world

Chicken Pics

2010-05-15T06:38:00.000-07:00

Original coop and yard design........the one they could escape from

Logan gets plenty of practice in restraint and stalking

The red ones are the Rhode Island Reds, and the other darker four are the Ancona

New and improved and hopefully escape proof coop and yard, its like Alcatraz

We gave the chickens name so we won't get attached to them, This one is lunch, this one is named dinner, this one is fried, this one is named wings, and this one breakfast, and then there is BBQ 1 and 2

Update: My Life

2010-05-15T06:07:00.000-07:00

So things are going well here in SL,UT. I have been cleared by the doctor to start "testing my knee", which involves doing things that i would normally do to see if it will hold up. I have been hiking, mellow, and climbing, again mellow. All of which seems to be ok for the moment. I really would love to try to make some turns, skiing, before all the snow melts, and that will have to wait a few more weeks. My physical therapist seems pleased with all my progress and has thought about giving me more advanced exercises and requiring less visits. With only minor, major surgery and little physical therapy I believe I have just been grazed by a small bullet. Things are looking up for the summer and next season.
I have also gotten chickens. That is right, feathers, eggs and the mess. We have spent about $150 on fencing, the birds and food, to have six chickens in my back yard. We have 2 Rhode island reds, they are the biggest, and four Ancona, they seem to be scrawnier. None have been laying eggs. We got them when they were about 4 months, so in about 2 more they might start to lay eggs.
The reason for all the money in the fencing was these birds are smarter than one would think. I had reports from some credible sources, my roommates, that they were escaping the original 4 foot fence. We had put the ramp into the coop too close. The chickens would get up on to the ramp and fly out, I guess more like jump out. Logan was not home so it was fine. We, Logan and I, did come home last Tuesday to one of the ancona out wondering around the fence. Logan started to corner the bird and the bird was freaking out. The chicken was trying as hard as it could to get its head through the chicken wire and back into the coop area. I think the bird might have learned it lesson.

Things are ok here. nothing new to report. My brother has been building things like crazy and decide to get back into electrical work. He got a part time job as an electrician, as an apprentice. Shortly after working with his boss, his boss realized my brother has more knowledge than any apprentice would and is happy with my brothers work. Thanks DAD, for the lessons.
The snow is melting and it time to start training for next season and lose all this injury/couch weight I have gained. So wish me luck and send the reminders not to over to it with my knee. Till next time, same bat channel and time.

Life on the Couch

2010-04-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

Well it is Friday about 24 hours after my surgery. I can consider my self lucky and fortunate. After a long anticipated finale evaluation I went into surgery yesterday at 1200pm. Everything went smoothly and when I awoke I was told that I did not have my ACL reconstructed.
I did have a small tear that was causing most of the problem. My doctor was confident that I will be able to return to my active life with the left over ACL and some physical therapy. Its a good thing that I trust my doctor, I did wake up disappointed and sceptical, which will all have to wait till I see my doctor on the 12th.....Hopefully it wasn't an April fools joke and I'll be getting more surgery in a few weeks.
On the bright side I will be back to my active life before too long and the recovery time is much shorter. I can get back to climbing, hiking and training for next ski season....and hopefully burning off my pent up energy. I have one concern that will have to wait till I see the doc on the 12th....How prone is my ACL to re-injury???.....how strong is it now??

This is my ACL. Notice the rought spot on the right side, that is were it was torn.

Here is the torn piece. It is that nub next to the tool.

Why I like other Places

2010-03-09T19:12:00.000-08:00

So today is a great day for UT. I just got my UT drivers licenses. Before today I was impressed with how UT managed their DMV's. Other than the fact that you had to get your licenses in one place and register your vehicle in another the hours are convenient, 7am till 630pm; Monday - Thursday. I had resined to the fact that I was required to visit two places for one vehicle, but not that big of a deal. Till today.
I was up and out of the house and to the Driver Licenses building by 716am. There was no real line and all appeared to be just a typical DMV visit. There was an employee who check to make sure I had all the proper documents before I filled out my application. After I filled out the application there was another employee to check again, fine I'm sure this is the biggest problem for processing in this process. Next I got my picture taken and assigned a number F506. After about an hour, the whole time trying to figure out the number system to no avail, it was my turn to begin the rest of the journey.
The employee who helped my was nice. I asked him why those other had asked about my documents and now he was actually looking at them, which he replied " it is out biggest processing problem and it is a double check." Guess I was right. Then to the eye test. It was one of the really old doohickies from high school with the three line of letters. I FAILED, and got irate. Poor guy behind the counter I think I ruined his day. He gave me a form to take to any eye doctor.
So I did. Standard optical. Got an appointment for about an hour after I arrived and it all seemed to work out. I had been needing to go see an eye doc for some time and noting happens for me during ski season. I walked out of Standard optical after 300 dollars, I finally used the insurance I'm paying for, with a signed paper saying "NO DRIVING RESTRICTIONS" and a pair of glasses for my better then horrible astigmatism.
Back to the DMV. Walked in and started the process and right back to he same seat I was in about 4 hours ago. Got to do it all again this time I got to take the test. Open book and still there were questions with not answers form the book. Passed and got my licenses.
So why do I like other places more then UT.......
- in VT I handed over my NJ licenses and got a VT one
- I can register my vehicle in VT with UT address
- People use their blinkers more in other states
- Other states are not controlled by a hippo critical religion
Leaving is starting to creep up the priority list

A week of Contemplation

2010-02-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

So I have been doing fine. The swelling in my knee has gone down just like the doctor has requested and in a week I see him for the verdict. This whole time while gimping around I have been wondering if I'll even stop being concerned about my knee. Will it even be back to 100% with just physical therapy? Or will surgery no matter what be the best bet?? Sitting in limbo with stuff that is out of our control seems like being a cat that is being summered by a sumo wrestler. Then on Thursday late I got a phone call from my buddy Chase in CA.
It was late like 11pm so I let it go to voice mail and then sat wondering why he was calling me so late. I listen to the voice mail and he said "Eric i got something to tell you and I don't want to do it over the voice mail. Call me back." I jumped up as if the couch I was sitting on was on fire and call Chase right back. It turned out a college buddy of ours had died in an avalanche in CO. I was stunned. He was the voice of reason while out on adventures, and when not on adventures he was hawaiian shirt guy. He loved life and lived it his way. I remember one time He, me and Chase headed up the ski Tuckermans Ravine in NH. I still have the picture of the three of us just before the trail heads up to the ravine. A-framed skis over our heads. When we got to the bottom of the ravine we head up to left gully, I think. At the top Kellen went first, then Chase, then me. I remember being scared, but after three turns I was fine. Chase and I stopped a little of the way down and passed Kellen. When we got to the bottom of the run there was Kellen sliding down with one ski one and one off. He slid all the way to the bottom. We all laughed and never made another run. I felt bad for Kellen the one run we did, which we could have done more, was a crash. It was a spectacular crash though.
Kellen's passing left me contemplative all week. We all, the reckies of the adventure rec floor, share a similar lifestyle. Working hard and playing harder, sometimes the play and work are the melded into one adventure. I have seen many professionals in the sports that I play in, pass away, and it easy to dismiss their passing. They are on a whole other level, one I don't even aspire to get reach in my life time. When a buddy who is at your level passes it makes you think about what your doing and the consequences you face when your out to play. I know what they are and do my best to make choices that mitigate the exposure to those consequences, and sometimes no matter what those devils (the consequences) loom over you.
I know at some point I will be faced with a huge devil. In fact my knee is a great example. 28 years of skiing injury free it was bound to happen. So here I sit knowing the devils are out there and I will be facing them, so what do I do? Stay inside, change my lifestyle, be somebody I'm not, not take risks? No way, that would be crushing to me. I will accept that fact that these devils will nip and tug at me while I play outside. In some cases they might grab hold and drag me down for a short time, ie: my knee. And other times I will be able to escape their hold and look back and learn something from the experience. All the while making those decisions that help to keep those evils at bay and further off my tail. And in the back of my head accepting the fact that if I keep play hard I might have to face the evils dead on, one day.

The pop from below

2010-01-23T15:15:00.000-08:00

Well the snow is finially falling. And by falling I mean with the force and amounts of a dam that just let go and is spewing water down a canyon. After leaving work on Tuesday I was excited to head to the mountain and get back to what UT is known for, "The Greatest Snow On Earth". Wednesday was a great day. It snowed a little and The side-country, in bounce back country, had been closed for 32 hours and was untouched. Scott, Rich and I went through the gates at about noon on Wednesday for the first tracks in the untouched land of Honeycomb. We went about half way down the canyon found a great stash and headed in to some waist deep powder. The run was a long awaited rush of happiness. We enjoyed the old man winter and mother natures gracious gift of bottomless powder for the day.
As the day ended the snow continued to fall and fell it did till the next day. By Thursday morning there was another 10 inches on the ground. Everything got filled in and deep end. We spent the morning skiing under the powder horn lift. Two runs riddled with face shots, over head shots and if I was skiing with my mouth open I would choke on the snow hitting me in the face. The second run was the sweetest. You had to point the skis straight in order to get enough speed to make anything that would resemble a turn. I was slaying a perfect line down the powder horn bowl, dropping little cliff bands, carving picturesque turns when the worst sound any skier could hear came ringing in my ears; above the music playing in my helmet.
I took a fall off this little rock band that I was skiing over and with one little sound, heard my season end. It was the distinctive sound of my ACL popping. I cringed while laying face down in the snow. I knew the minute that it happened what had happened. I got to my feet and yelled to my friend KC, "I just blow out my ACL!!!"
With that a guy on the lift above me asked if I wanted ski patrol. I said no, there was no way i was getting a ride down the mountain and going to the clinic. After all I knew what had happened. I skied down with KC behind, to the base lodge where I got a beer, a bag of ice and 800mg of Ibuprofen. All this took place at about 10am, on the first full-on powder day of the season.
KC aided me to getting to the urgent care, which was useless and I then made an appointment with a sports medicine doctor. The appointment was made after talking to my mother who, rightfully so, guilted me into seeing a specialist. Its true always listen to your mother and they do know best. The decision was only reinforced by the friend/boss telling my "You pay for the insurance why not use it". So Friday at 930am I was in the doctors office, with the fate of my season hanging in the balance.
The doctor was unsure to the extent my ACL was torn, it is for sure my ACL, I really think that the doctor was afraid to give me any bad news. So an MRI was ordered, my first ever. Today is Saturday and I am stir crazy, to say the least, to see the doctor on Monday for the unveiling of the damage done. I will update on Monday.

The State of Ut take over

2009-12-25T16:33:00.000-08:00

So the UT state government has been trying to find ways to help the department of transportation keep control of the avalanches in the Wasatch mountains. Some of the ways have been resort expansion and additional lifts to increase skier traffic to pack down the snow pack. Here is a little movie that will help explain:
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/5876167

Whose to Thank

2009-12-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

In my last post I mentioned that the winter storm cycle is here and the snow is falling. Growing up I knew of two forces that contribute to the winter. Old Man Winter and Mother Nature. Today I'm not sure who I need to thank, or make a offering to, for the bountiful amounts of snow we get out here in UT. Is it Old Man Winter, with his cold temperatures, blustery winds and his ability to grab hold with his cold hands and never let go? Or could it be Mother Nature, with her change of seasons, moving weather patterns, and ability to make the sun shine for that perfect goggle tan? OR could it be both that Old Man Winter and Mother Nature combine forces for a few months a year to bring all the little ski bums joy and happiness. And as the snow slowly creeps down the mountain and the mercury falls down the thermometer, we get gitty. The ski movies are not playing to help cope with the sweltering heat, but to help the stoke ( http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=The%20Stoke ). The skis get tuned week after week, the messages from the mountain employees fly about the conditions, eyes are on the weather, and the coffee grinder whines; sounding the alarm to get up and ready for first chair.

I only ask the question, "Who do I praise", so that I may pay homage to the force or forces that allows for the place I live in to be transformed into my personal playground.

Life is Life

2009-12-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

Well its been a while since I have updated this slice of the Internet that I can call my own. So here's the update on my life. No real grand adventures to report. Just sitting in Salt Lake city watching the mountains turn from an array of fall colors to a brilliant white, my favorite color for the hills to wear. Who says you can't wear white after labor day. Skiing has started slow and seems that the storm cycle that makes UT famous is starting to hit hard and settle in, thanks you old man winter or could we thank mother nature (I'll leave that for an other post). At this very moment it is nuking outside my window. Nuking is a technical term used widely by ski bums to describe an event of snow which falls heavy and relentlessly at one time. "Dude bro, its totally nuking outside. Lets hit the hill tomorrow to shed the gnar." (said in a surfer style voice) We ski bums have been skiing the groomers in preparation for the type of day that tomorrow is forecasted to be. It will be really hard for me not to bring out my big sticks, skis, the ones that I have built by hand.

You as I write this I begin to realize that I have lied about not having any adventures. Work is always an adventure this time of year. During the holidays we work longer shifts, in order to swap holidays each year for the two shifts that are in the field. This year I worked on Thanksgiving. It is by far my favorite holiday to spend in the field. Second Nature sends out about 26 pounds of turkey, and all the fixings. This year each staff gathered a few kids to help cook each part of the meal. I was fortunate to have my friend and coworker Shannon come out to the field and spend the day in my group. Shannon and I are the last two employees left from our training group which took place in May 2007. And Shannon just got a promotion to assistant field director, which leaves just me in the field from my training. I win! So I have just finished my last 10 day shift. There is about 6-10 inches of snow in the field area and winter is in full swing. Temperatures during the day ranged from 15-33 and 10-5 at night. The biggest part of life at work is just surviving. We are focused on collecting wood, drying boots and feet, eating and staying sane. There is little need for external therapy, just living is therapy enough. This week was stranger than most for me. It is approaching the end of football season and the New York Giants have been, like always, on a roller coaster this season. I went into the field last Saturday and came out this past Monday. Missing two key games. What made it strange is that I usually only miss one game a week.

My job has many perks. On of these perks is our schedule, 8 days on and then 6 days off. The time in the field my front country, civilization / real world, life stops. There is no phone, no email, no skiing or news of the fresh snow that has fallen. We also have eight straight days to be with the students and see their patterns develop. On the flip side, in my off time, 6 days, my work life is not there. No kids, no cold (if I choose to stay indoors), no having to dig a hole to poop in. I can travel where I want and take two whole days to get there and back while still having time to spend where I'm end up to enjoy without feeling rushed. If looked only at this angle the schedule is flippin sweet. And there is another angle...........

The angle of shorten year, in the last 30 days I have spent 20 of them in the field. Ski season is only 70 days long, resort time, and having a relationship with anyone is difficult. Things are missed, passed over due to unawareness of the date, or discussions with significant others is postpone due to work and travel. I once went a whole month with out talking about an incident with somebody.

The reasons why we, all the field staff, are all willing to deal and cope with these challenges defiantly differ. And I am hard pressed to say that the reward of making a difference in at least some kids lives is not a motivating factor. So till I am unable to handle the weather, the kids and pooping in a hole I will be out there letting Life be Life.

Let it snow and feel free to come out to UT for a visit and a ski.

And the Season Begins

2009-11-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

Well today started my ski season. I got about 2 hours sleep due the excitement, much like christmas morning as a kid. I had pack my backpack the night before, made lunch the night before, and put all three pairs of skis in my truck the night before, this way I would have less chance of forgetting the important stuff. I was up at 700am and got dressed made the coffee. The night before my roomates thought I was crazy for wanting to get first chair on a day like today. At 815 the truck was running and I was in it heading up ti the mountain to stand in line to reach the goal of taking the first chair to the top of the mountain and laying the first tracks of the day. When I finally got booted up and got in line Scott and Rich had just gotten there and we were the first in line. Suddenly another ambious skier who wanted to steal the covetted first chair cremped up and challenged the three of us for the prize. So in an instintual reactionary way the three of us took our places in the gates waiting for the lifties to open the lift. Then when it happened the four of us were off the races, I guess we had the better wax job because we got the first chair. So this is why they all thought I was crazy for wanting the first chair. Today Solitude had two runs open and two lifts. The bunny hill and the green run off the Moon beam lift. The moonbean lift only goes half way up the mountain. It was all manmade snow and hard pack. Not the typical UT conditions. By 11am the hill was crowed...one only having one run will do that, and the run was skied off with ice peeking its ugly head out to say hello. Yes I did mention before that I took all three pairs of my skis up to the hill today. I also skied all three pairs today. My newest skis that I built were not ideal for the conditions and they preformed just as they were designed. I can't wait till the powder adds up, those skis will be such slayers. I also forgot how much fun and exciting carving my east coast skis are. Not the greatest day, and that is not what the early season is all about. We skied till about five hours today on one run and lapped it about 20 some times. Legs were burning and it felt so good to slide on the snow again. Hope the season will last forever. take care and come to visit if you wanna ski...or just visit.

You can Go Home

2009-11-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

So I went back to Jersey two weeks ago. Got to see the grandparents and my little cousin and my anut. Then off to see the friends. Seeing all was great, catching up and having laughs. Sharing my travels and making plans for the future. And to top it ll off it was the same night the yankees won the world series....not exciting for me, I'm not a baseball fan.

Then off to Maine to see my parents new place and the lot that will soon be my parents new retirement home. The drive was long from NJ to ME, 7 hours the nice thing was it was in my moms new subaru. I remember spending a week or so down in NC with my grandparents in their log cabin in the mountains. It is funny how my parents are now taking on the retirement lifestyle and having the mountain house.

My dad and I spent time clearing the brush and taking down some trees on the property. Then mom showed up and we had lunch in the future home. The two older guys who live on the lake behind my parents came for a few hours to cut and take all the pine trees away for their own homes to use as firewood. Things are different up in the small towns. People share...my dad allows those guy to take the pine and the guys let my dad the use of their ATV. Its refreshing to visit those places were things are slower and nobody is in a rush.

Its like my job. When I'm out in the field the busy life in the "real world" stops and things are simple, collect wood, eat, sleep, repeat. Just living, in the field or in a small town, really makes me believe that there is some hope left in this world.

Face shot in October

2009-10-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Just a note. I went skiing today on October 5th. Alta had gotten about a foot. WE hiked up and skiied about 1,200 feet. I was anxious about the drop in and after the first turn I started this season where I left off last season. Hammering the snow with relentless vigor. I can't wait till winter to be in full swing, I'm ready to go big.

A trip of a Boy and his Dog

2009-10-05T16:46:00.000-07:00

Where I camped the night before the hike. In the background you can see the road to Whitney portal, the trail head, zig-zagging up the hill side. I eat some soupy beans and rice that night. I could,nt sleep much for I was so anxious and excited to be taking on such an adventure. I woke up at 300am pacific time to pack up and head to the trail. Logan looked very excited to be heading out too.
The trail I decided to take was called the Mountaineers Route. It is a 3rd class climb, 5th class is vertical rock climbing. The shortest and steepest route to the top of Mount Whitney, 14,449 feet. I started early and moved non-stop for 13 hours. I was not sure How Logan would fair on the 3rd class stuff. I lifted him over a few sections of the trail then he started to make his own way. I was so proud of him when he figured out the way that worked for him.

The sign at the trail head of the trail I took. I decided to challenge myself and take the harder Mountaineers Route. It was a few sections of 3rd class scrambling and 6,100 feet of elevation gain in 3.5 miles. Burly and fun and challenging. That day I hiked 12,200 total feet, in 13 hours. It was a great experince for me to do such a trip in real mountaineer style. I hope to go back this spring and do the trip again, in two days, while there is snow on the ground.

Me and my dog very shortly after sunrise. We started at 430am pacific time. We climbed ledges in the dark to get to the first lake and meadow. I very watched the sunrise from the east, where I did watch it from was the ridge line of Whitney, in the background. I always love to see time pass by the sun and how it travels down one side of a valley, across the valley floor and back up the other side of a valley.

Logan looking stoic and tired. He was such a great dog on this trip. Tough dog.

The first meadow. Made it there shortly after sunrise. The whoe hike took place in an alpine setting. Meadows and alpine lakes, so seriene and clam and peaceful. I had lots of time to think and ponder who I am and what I want to accomplish this season.

Looking forward to the chute and making it to the top of the Whitney.

Looking down at the last lake from the chute. I took a nap here while my water was being treated. Off to the right of the picture is where I approached the chute and lake. I got to the lake in about 4 hours.

Looking down the 3rd class chute. I was gaining 100 feet of elevation every ten minutes while hiking up this chute. Logan did fine. He is so smart, he would whine then find his own way around the problem.

Self portrait at the top of the chute.

The sign at the top to prove I made it there. This was such an accomplishment that I had gotten emotional at the top. The whole trip was huge, planning, hiking and starting early were so big for me that it all came out on the top.

Me at the top. only half way there. I took the mellow trail, Whitney trail, down. It was wicked fast.

Logan at the top. Her was scared to get to the edge. The whole time he was fine with all the exposure till the top.
On the way down I took the Whitney trail. It is 11 miles and 6,100 feet back to the trail head. The trail is so well maintained that I and Logan was able to run down the trail. I saw a bunch of people while headed down and they all asked "How far to this place or that". I was unable to tell them, I stopped keeping track of where I was and how far. I was just headed down.
This trip was great. Great to do with just me and my dog. It was quite, a few people camping, and I one of about 3 people hiking the mountaineers route. So many people where amazed that I had taken the route and had brought my dog. Logan slept for two days when we were done. Everyone could take the opportunity to climb this mountain. So next time your in Lone Pine, CA take the time. Call me I'll even meet you there.

Ski building pictures

2009-09-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

Mike and I creating a P-Tex jig

The raw core. at least we know where the tip is

Me shaping the core...look at that monster router

The wood core after shaping on the rail pack. can you see the side cut?

the finished shaped wood core, how pretty

all the fiber glass and kelvar ready for the build

Creating the Cassette

Logan not being much help

the edge in place waiting for the build

Creating the taper

building the ski

Vacuum bag setup and curing

Me working late into the night

On the Road Again

2009-09-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

I decided to hit the road this week. They are asking for folks to take time off from work and I had enough PTO, paid time off, so I decided to take the week. It is a much needed break and it allowed me not to feel rushed while on my adventure. So last Sunday i packed my truck for a trip to California. I left base in Duchesne, UT at 530pm and head south on rt 191 to CA.

I have never had luck on rt 191. I have driven it twice and both times missed a turn and went out of my way.This trip it went dark quick and I missed a turn onto US-6. Like any good boy scout I have an atlas in my truck and found that I had wondered too far south and was head in the right direction in Tribal Land. So I found my route, south to Interstate 40, then onto Olancha, CA.

17 hours later I had made it to Mike Lish's place. Mike builds custom skis off the grid and in a trailer that he has outfitted with all the necessary tools and processes that one would need to build skis. http://333skis.com/ Mike and his family are really making the most of living off the grid in the desert. They are also more than great and amazing hosts. They set me up in a guest house built from random material they have collected. All of their buildings and workshops are made from recycled, left over material. He has turned a shipping container, like on the back of 18 wheelers, into an apartment for his soon to be crew. The whole experience was a great awaking of how one can buck the consumerism of our society and live with little.

So i rolled into Mike's place at about 930 am pacific time and got settled. After a little decompression from the drive it was off to work. Mike started by =telling me about his business plan and how he hope to build an education component into his building. Perfect for all those kids who think that math class won't apply and who love the workshop classes. Then we began to finish setting up his shop. He set me out to creating a jig, template and device to make short work of measuring a repeated task, to cut the base or p-tex of the ski. We never ended up using it, there was stock for my skis.

After a short time and discussion and fine tuning of my order we made some changes and then off to building from scratch. First step was to create the side cut and shape of the core of my skis. This is done a "rail pack", a metal jig that has two rails that flex, according to spacers, which creates the side cut of my skis. Then to the tools. I was handed a monster routor which was guided by the flexed rails and when finished my wood core had the side cut and platform for a sweet ski.

Mike worked on an adaptation to his ban saw which kept pressure on the wood core to that it would stay on the jig and cut the perfect taper for the tip and tail. Mike has made a platform which the core sits on and gets fed through this ban saw. As the wood is fed through the saw it starts low and the blade moves though and up till it reaches an exit point. Then like magic the ski has its tapered tail and tip and flex pattern. There is much math involved in getting the numbers that are needed to reach this magic and Mike has figure it all out.

Then next step was to cut the p-tex or base of the ski. It is done in the same fashion. Next to the fiber glass which gives the ski its strength. I cut four main pieces for the top and bottom of the ski. Then we added a piece for the binding renforcement and also two strips of kelvar along the middle of the ski to add more strength and force to the edge of the ski. The last step for the ski was the tip and tail parts. These are created out of ABS plastic and i had such trouble with them. I figured out that I can't cut straight lines if I had a gun held to my head. Mike came in and starighten every thing out. So now we had all the piece to build the ski. Nothing too huge, who would have thought a ski is so basic.

At this point Mike had not made a pair of skis this short, 167 cm. So there was no cassette made that I would be able to build the skis on. I was given some great instruction and set off to take 7 in wide aluminiam and make a cassette to fit my skis. This process was fun. Marking all the measurements and then bending the mettle to create and hold the tip and tail of the skis. I marked the center of the ski and the effective edge of the ski then marked the whole thing for Mike to use later. After it was all marked I was sent to the roller bender to bend the sheet metal into the desired shape. This was awesome. The bender is manual and simple. Just place the metal in after figuring out how you want the three rollers to be interacting to bend the metal. There are two that move the metal into the device, and the third one can move up and down behind the others which creates an angle to which the metal will bend.

Before we could build we prepped all the pieces so that they would adhere to each other. First was sanding the cassettes and put a non-stick stuff on it so the skis will release from it...guess all prep is not for adhering. Next was sanding the tip and tail plastic and then the p-tex. This is all to make a surface that is not smooth so the resin will adhere to the rough surface. I tried to grind the tip and tail plastic and ended up hitting my fingers. Not too bad, no bone, so there is blood, sweat and tears in my skis. They have my DNA in them. We also flame treated the tip and tail and p-tex to get rid of and oil type stuff. Also the tip pieces needed to be molded in the the uplift of the tip of the ski. The cores are sanded and ready to go.

Before we can put the all the pieces together we needed to add the edges to the bases. This was something I let Mike do, the cutting and bending at least. The edges are the part of the ski that bits into the hard snow and ice. Mike had a bunch of edge stock and he measured, cut and bent the tip into place. The with simple super glue we glued the edge into place on the p-tex. Again Mike had created clamps the would hold the edge to the p-tex and cassette while the glue quickly dried.

Now that all is ready, we are able to start putting all the material together to make a ski. This part was really fun. Before I left base Mike called me and asked me about how much of the process I wanted to be part of. It would have been easier and less time consuming to be just part of the following. And I got such an education and enlightenment with the whole process, and stay with Mike and his family, it will be an adventure hard to forget.

On to the build. So while I was bending the cassette Mike was fashioning a floating build table so I could keep all my building materials on for ease. After all the materials went on to the table in reverse order, bottom to top of ski, I put gloves on and started to mix the resin. Once the resin was mixed and ready I started to start the build.

It starts with spreading the resin on the bases p-tex making sure to get it into the edge flange so the edges will stick to the ski. Next the bottom fiber glass. This is a piece of single bias knitted fiber glass. It has two layers that run at 90 degrees, vertical and horizontal, to each other, then knitted together. Once this was saturated enough I out resin on the bottom of the core so the wood would , no pun intended, not suck the resin out of the bottom piece of fiber glass. Next I placed the core onto the stack and also the tip and tail pieces. Adding more resin to this top layer we added the kelvar side renforecment, a small piece of fiber glass for binidng renforcement; these are leaf springed with each other. Then the top piece of fiber glass, a double bias, 45 degree knitted which has more torsional strength then the single bias. then the last piece of the ski the top sheet graphics.

So there is an interesting story with this part. I spent at least about 2 hour collectivally deciding what graphic to use. A little background with the graphics. Mike and his family have found graphics and really nice decorative paper that they stock to which looks great under the resin. I found this really great paper that they all thought was great too. Then after awhile I realized there was only enough for one ski. I asked Mike if he had more and then a light bulb went off. Mike told me that he really like that paper and had used one skis worth on a pair that he first made. So there I was with paper for one ski. It was funny that Mike had used it for one ski. So I made a great top sheet with a two tone pattern on the ski. Mike's wife, Jael, did a great job of taking a photo of this sketch I had and turing it into a graphic, which ended up on my skis.

Once all was resined and set up we added a bleeder, which collect the extra resin, and sleeved the whole thing into a vacuum bag. After clamping the ends we attached it to the camber rack, decided on the camber I wanted and sent it onto the roof on the trailer to cure. 2 hours later they were done. It was like opening christmas presence when you were a kid. I opened the bag and there they were my skis in the rough. I let Mike do the finish work, he is far superior with free handing tools then I could ever be.

Mike looked to be having a bunch of fun triming off the tips tails and edges of my ski. He can really eye things up and make them look good. After they are all finished we added a few coats of clear coat and then we filled in any gaps in the resin with more pasty resin and sanded and done. I have a hand built pair of skis by me.

I remember when I saved enough money to buy my first bike by myself. I too such care of that bike till the day the I used the parts for my new bike. I'm not sure if I can wait till there is enough snow to not trash this skis. But when the snow falls you best believe these skis and I will shred the whole mountain with vengence.

Below are all the pics that we took of the process and there is more on Mikes website. heres the link::: http://333skis.com/customers-who-build-their-skis.php

If you want to have a custom pair of skis go to Mike's site::: www.333skis.com ::: and order a pair. Mike is ramping up to be in full production soon so be patient and may be go help and have a hand in your skis.

Bring on winter

2009-09-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

September is HALF over. For me that is looking at the glass half full. Temps are still on the high side during the day and at night they are cooling day after day. I have been waiting for this time of year for the whole year.

I had an interesting week in the field. I had to leave on Tuesday night before the parents arrived to do some training. When I returned on Wednesday night I was fully immersed into the chaos and old habits of the group. This short time with the group lead to me checking my reactionariness and sharp tongue. It dawned on me that I was mentally checking myself more than an instructor could.

So I guess it is time for a change. So I have applied to be a ski patroller at park city. Just waiting to hear about an interview and all the rest. It will be a huge adjustment. Meeting new people who know what there doing. The up side is throwing bombs for avalanches, skiing everyday, doing manual labor and starting days at the early AM. I'm excited for the craziness of the change.

Its been such a hard wait for winter that Richard, my roommate, and I hike for 10 hours and 8000 feet elevation gain and lose to ski 700 feet of the worst snow I have skied. The novelty of skiing in September. Utah is a great place to play. This trip lead me to really think about pursing a more adventurous mountain life. If all is well things can be really chaotic, fun, stressful and very adventurous. Wish me luck.

Hope all is well with all of you talk to you later.

Is Santa Claus a Hippy??

2009-08-28T15:07:00.001-07:00

So my friend and I had a discussion on our drive home about Santa Claus. Is Santa a hippy? Here are the facts:
- Has a big beard
- Wears the same clothes
- He's jolly and spreads peace around the world
- Loves cookies
- Lives in a paradise land with all his friends
- He and his friends are always jolly

I'm convinced that Santa is a hippy and we could hold him accountable for it. Just thought I would share and give something to think about. Here are some pictures of my recent trips....Hiking up to Lone peak 10200 ft with Ben and Shannon, along with climbing with Dan at Penta Pitch, 4 pitch climb.

Summer is so Hot

2009-07-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Well it is nearing the end of August. I can't wait till the summer is over, just as we approach the hottest days of the summer I can't stand it any longer. All the holidays are over and school is about to start
What have I been up to lately. I have been getting my butt off the couch and hiking for the past two weekends. I made it up mount Timpanogus 11,475 ft at sunrise a few weeks ago and into the Lone Peak cirque 10,200 ft the weekend before. This past weekend I went home to NJ for the last time. My parents have closed on the sale of their house my childhood house will be somebody elses.
Is it weird, no. Will I miss it no. Will I miss NJ, no, still got people to see there. I think the weird part is that my parents are about to embark on the journey of retirement. What it means for me is not to much. For me it is amazing to think that the people I call parents have finally put in their time in the world of the working and now can reap the benefits. I can't help but to think when that will be for me, probably never with the jobs I have had. It also makes me think that I might need to move on.
Here in UT for two years and it has been the longest I have had a job consecutively. The struggles of my brains and wants. All will have to wait till after ski season. Which brings up another idea.
Had a friend tell me that I was an adnormality. Most people have seasonal depression in the winter. Shorter colder days and many don't get outside. Where as I get the depression of the seasons in the summer time. When it is hot and long days. Guess I need to find a cooler climate to live in.
Well hope all is well where ever you are. pray for snow and coller temps. I know I am.

June has started

2009-06-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

Well here it goes my spot on the web to keep in touch with the world. I have been working hard and realized that it turned June this week in the field. Last week I helped my buddy Chris move back to pinedale, wy and me, him and scott spent the weekend fishing. I caught that fish in my picture. It is a 10 pound rainbow trout. Biggest fish I have caught on a fly rod. Just one way I have been filling my weeks and months till the snow falls again.The off seasons, not ski season, are long and hard to fill, I started to put to together all the video that we collected through out the season. Had no place to post it so here I am, typing and spilling my brains out. So enjoy the flick and I hope to keep this as up to date as well as I have time and energy. Hope all is well and take it easy, I sure am.