Journal

May Powder

Brian — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:58:14 +0000

Lot's of tracks beyond. Nearly nothing where I was going.Much to the displeasure of most of the Anchorage populace, winter is holding on to the bitter end this year. With each passing storm and my subsequent celebration at work, my fellow employees simply tell me to piss off.

Alaska Late Winter Hits - Volume 3

Brian — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:28:13 +0000

The gem of the Chugach Front Range - Ptarmigan PeakThe last installment of early spring fun involves the obvious prize, Ptarmigan Peak and some other lines of desire down the road.

Alaska Late Winter Hits - Volume 2

Brian — Wed, 08 May 2013 06:03:27 +0000

This second wrap up of late season, Southcentral Alaskan skiing covers some fun days on the Seward Highway and a cool adventure to a relatively local but curiously hard to access line on Tanaina Peak.

Alaska Late Winter Hits - Volume 1

Brian — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:46:25 +0000

For the better part of the last year I struggled to find the love here in Alaska. The weather was crap much of the time and winter took its sweet time coming. Everyone told me it would take a year to adjust and that seems to be what’s happening.

Sportiva Spitfire Review (updated)

Brian — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:55:43 +0000

North Couloir, Tanaina Peak, Chugach, AK - photo: Mat BruntonThe insane run of high pressure finally comes to an end today and, as the clouds moved in, I realized I would finally get to write something. Some good days have been had and I’ll share those in the next few days but first I wanted to get a review out on my Sportiva Spitfire boots.

Steep Skiing Fail

Brian — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 00:36:44 +0000

The incomparable Ram Valley, AKYesterday, I broke the number one rule in steep skiing – I fell. We talk a lot about no-fall skiing on blogs like this one. Defining a line as such requires a combination of pitch and snow characteristics. We rarely get to test the presumption. Doing so could cost you your life. Instead, we demand of ourselves utmost concentration and enough skill and judgment to ski the line without falling. Up until yesterday, I ‘ve been successful.

My Otter Body Experience

Brian — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:11:07 +0000

For Teton ski mountaineers, there exists a list of ski lines that we covet and hope to climb and descend at some point in our lives. Skiing the Grand Teton is undoubtedly at the top of this list for most of us. This event typically involves skiing the Ford-Chevy-Stettner couloirs, which has become a classic ski line in the range and is now even guided on a regular basis.

Skimo Race Tips - Helmet and Goggles

Brian — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 06:53:26 +0000

Kim Young - 2013 US Skimo Champs photo: Mark GockeWhen I first started skimo racing several years ago, eye wear was a dilemna. Should I bring goggles? Do I need sun glasses? Should I go with nothing and keep it simple? Over several races I tried all those ideas. I also combed European race photos to see what the pros were doing.

Powder Keg 2013

Brian — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 04:56:32 +0000

Get your race mojo on and show up at Brighton Resort next weekend for the annual Powder Keg. This is one of the best races of the season and one of the longest running events in U.S. skimo racing. After a lengthy stint over at Alta it almost went MIA until Chad and the folks at Brighton stepped up and saved the race from extinction. They have a great crew of volunteers and put on a quality event. Clearly, they've kicked it up a notch this year with the addition of the Sprint event on Friday and the Technical Teams race on Sunday. They're gettin' all Euro on us! This can only serve to grow the sport.

Arctic to Indian

Brian — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:58:41 +0000

Last weekend I got out for one of Anchorage, Alaska’s classic ski tours – the Arctic to Indian traverse. This 20 mile, relatively flat excursion through the heart of the Chugach Front Range is a must-do event for many each spring. Most people wait for longer days and a beat-in track before taking it on. It can be done in as little as 4 hours but it takes many the full day to complete.