Journal

Kal's Knoya Ridge Run

Brian — Sun, 27 May 2012 17:45:30 +0000

As I warmed up near the starting line I tried to remember the last running race I did. It was the Autumn Classic in Nampa, Idaho way back in 1987. Hmmm… 25 years. That's a while. I've certainly done plenty of racing since then but always on a bike or, more recently, on rando skis. Now, with my recent move to Alaska and a new love for mountain running, I decided to toe the line in the first trail running event of the year, Kal's Knoya Ridge Run last Thursday evening.

Welcome to Alaska

Brian — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:07:33 +0000

Cumulus Peak, Chugach Mountains, AKI traveled to Alaska following the biggest winter on record and arrived at the start of an uncommonly long period of settled weather. This allowed me to sample some of the close to town skiing in an attempt to ease some of my regret about leaving Jackson. It's been a hard transition.

Changing Seasons, Changing Focus

Brian — Mon, 07 May 2012 06:33:38 +0000

Penguin Peak from Bird RidgeThe weather warms, the snow softens and melts and attention turns to the next objective. There's still skiing to be done here in Alaska but I have to drive a little farther to find reasonable conditions. So, the after work agenda changes and mine turns to running.

The Essential Ski Crampon

Brian — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:19:34 +0000

No one would accuse me of being an inexperienced ski mountaineer but, like one, for some reason I have never owned a pair of ski crampons. Until this season, I was always watching my friends scurry along with them while I booted with crampons. If it was super firm, the difference in speed was marginal but if it was punchy I was dropped quickly. In spring their utility is undeniable when skinning up smooth, frozen corn and glazed skin tracks. But even in winter on wind swept passes and ridges, ski crampons take a terrifying, precarious moment and reduce it to pleasurable. They add a level of security and increase travel efficiency to a degree that is staggering.

Western Chugach Sampler

Brian — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:41:49 +0000

North Face, O'Malley PeakWhen I made the heavy decision to move to Alaska, I did so with significant anxiety since I was turning my back on the best ski mountaineering in the lower 48. What would I find in Anchorage? As most skiers know, there are few towns in the U.S. that have the kind of access we have in the Tetons. So, it was a great relief to get to Alaska and discover I need not worry.

North to Alaska

Brian — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 02:39:25 +0000

After 7 years, my favorite Teton photo.It's hard to believe I left the ski mountains of my dreams. But on March 21st, with a painfully heavy heart and tear-filled eyes, I drove out of Jackson headed for Alaska. Ahead were new adventures, for sure, but leaving my home and friends was the hardest move I've ever made. It really wasn't the mountains, although they're the best anywhere, I would argue. It was more the community that they inspire. After many years, I finally achieved the sense of belonging I'd always wanted but never attained. And now I was leaving. What was I thinking? And as I passed the top of Teton Pass and glanced back one last time in my rearview mirror, I cried again.

Tremors in the Force

Brian — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:28:27 +0000

It was time for a gut check. I needed to step back and look at the bigger picture. It's true. I was fit and ready to skimo race. I've been training all season and the upcoming Wasatch Powder Keg was going to be my final race of the year. I was facing the last week before the event and it was time to rest. The problem was that this taper was corresponding with a spell of splitter high pressure which had the high peaks drawing my thoughts and ambitions like the sirens in Homer's Odyssey.

Steve Romeo - 6/1/71 - 3/7/12

Brian — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:20:47 +0000

Steve and me high on the Grand Teton, Jan. 2007Yesterday, one of my favorite and long time ski partners, Steve Romeo and his ski partner, Chris Onufer, were buried and killed in a massive avalanche on Ranger Peak in Grand Teton National Park. They were reported missing late last night and a quick SAR fly over this morning yielded two beacon hits within a debris pile. Their bodies were recovered earlier this afternoon.

Steve was my first real Teton ski partner. I remember how excited I was when this notorious Teton character, Randosteve, asked me if I wanted to get out with him. I was pretty green back then. Not sure if I was up to his ability level. But ski together we did, and often, for two or three seasons. I'm a better skier for it. Steve had a knowledge of the range that few possessed and I was honored to be tagging along. He was always game to go big, often pushing the conditions just a hair and several of his close calls inspired healthy debate within the ski community.

What was cool about Steve was that he was willing to put his successes and failures out in the blogosphere for all to see. He shared his strong opinions and let others share theirs'. He created TetonAT as a vehicle to promote his "Live to Ski" attitude. And he was doing just that on his last day.

We'll never know what happened on Ranger Peak that day. Doesn't really matter. I lost another friend and a great partner. I will continue to Live to Ski in his honor. - Brian

Slough Management

Brian — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:22:40 +0000

Alexis and the gut of Apocalypse CouloirSlough management. The expression suggests an ability to somehow control one of winter's most powerful natural forces - piles of snow yielding to the force of gravity. We see the term written in stories and hear it and see it in adrenaline-fueled ski porn. The fatter skis and higher speeds of today's free skiers allows for "managing" ever larger so-called sloughs. But at some point we need to call a spade a spade and admit that some of these events are really avalanches. I mean, who are we kidding here?

Bridger Bowl Skimo Race Report

Brian — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:05:02 +0000

Last weekend a crew of Jackson skimo racers descended upon Bozeman for the annual Bridger Bowl Skin to Win Randonee Rally. This is one of the country's longest running events and is typically a fun and well-organized race. This year was no different although the weather conspired to make the day more trying than previous editions.