Spent the day at Alyeska honing our skiing skills. Not many people on the slopes today either which made it even more relaxed. The few inches of fresh snow was an added bonus. I ended up getting a good video clip of everyone trying to get on the ball in the terrain park, which turned out to be pretty hilarious, however not as funny as when Jake tried to do a jump turn and immediately jumped out of his bindings and proceeded to slide halfway down the hill. Oh, and we found out today that the north slope of the resort was closed because it was so icy someone had died a few weeks back, pretty unnerving. We ended the day at a pub called Chair 5. The day ended with ome beers, good food, and good stories. Mike, one of the instructors, even convinced Jake, Dan, and Logan to hang back and chance getting a ride back with some French-Canadian girls. Haha it will be an interesting morning.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Spent the day at Alyeska honing our skiing skills. Not many people on the slopes today either which made it even more relaxed. The few inches of fresh snow was an added bonus. I ended up getting a good video clip of everyone trying to get on the ball in the terrain park, which turned out to be pretty hilarious, however not as funny as when Jake tried to do a jump turn and immediately jumped out of his bindings and proceeded to slide halfway down the hill. Oh, and we found out today that the north slope of the resort was closed because it was so icy someone had died a few weeks back, pretty unnerving. We ended the day at a pub called Chair 5. The day ended with ome beers, good food, and good stories. Mike, one of the instructors, even convinced Jake, Dan, and Logan to hang back and chance getting a ride back with some French-Canadian girls. Haha it will be an interesting morning.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Center Ridge
Kickstep Mt. and the Library to the left. |
We just got back from a trip up center ridge, which was pretty mellow compared to the amazing lines on either side of us (including the evidently famous Library and Kickstep Mt.). The snow conditions were pretty horrendous, due to an abnormally low precipitation year. But whatever, have to learn how to survival ski with heavy packs in shitty snow sometime. Looks like we had to rearrange the schedule due to the snow conditions. We plan on doing a few classroom and ski resort days before doing a longer 9 day trip down to Lost Lake in the Kenai Peninsula. It also looks like our merry group is back to a 5 man team.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Supermoon
Megan and Ben with Portage glacier in background |
Shakespeare's Shoulder / Glacier |
Snow kitchen |
Practice with the Avalanche beacons |
Dan coming over Portage Pass |
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Alyeska
I was being French-Canadian. |
We spent the first day of the ski course at Alyeska, a ski resort in Girdwood. It started out pretty slow with the guides just going over basic techniques, etc, etc. Needless to say it became obvious that Jono would need some one on one time with a guide. Jono has skied approximately zero days, that being said he is picking it remarkably fast. I haven't been downhill skiing in ages so it was a little bit of a re-learning experience for me, especially with the new boot/ski set up. I think I'm becoming an old man, its hard for me to learn and improve skills and I find myself feeling out of control. But whatever, I just have to suck it up and put in the mileage to get better. We did a quick climbing skin portion, which is similar to xc skiing, at the end of the day which made me feel a bit better about my skiing ability. We were playing with the idea of doing some super tame ice climbs after dinner but I think we will wait for the morning.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Wicked Gwnr and Slippery PowPow (God I hate ski lingo)
Today was a breath of fresh air. Finally going to get out and rock some slopes. Most of the day was spent with the new guides Nick, Ben, and Mike. Evidently conditions here are terrible for what we are about to do, but whatever. Looks like we are going to do a traverse from Portage to Whittaker, a trip up 20 mile valley, and a trip over to the Library. Today was just did some orientation, awareness wheel stuff, binding adjustments, and skin cutting. We also had a good chat with Ben about some issues that were building up. Everything is gravy prawns. Time to watch the Kings Speech and pass out.
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Dirty North (aka Anchorage)
Killer |
Friday, March 11, 2011
Brain Melting
Yeah, projectors are pretty alright for watching movies. |
Logan had a spinal injury. |
Oh, did I mention we acquired a projector? Movie night, every night.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Five Fingers
Five Fingers |
Big turn out... |
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Australian Iceberg
Portage Glacier |
Jake on the rocks. |
Scenic Views |
Friday, March 4, 2011
Food Coma
Today was borderline nightmarish. The last few days we have been figuring out rations for the 21 day ski course ahead. Needless to say not everyone had different tastes and different ideas of how much food will be needed. I guess that's group bonding? Thank god for Costco, Walmart, and AMH. Costco was a shitshow today with all the people in town for the ice festival, xc ski race, and it being Friday. Thankfully however we all made it out of the belly of the beast unscathed and under budget. I'm dreading the rations planning for the 42 day mountaineering trip.........shiiit. Oh well that's all part of it I guess, just glad to be done with it. Although I bet we will be out there freezing our asses off in a 4 day blizzard thinking, "fuck, we need more food." Time to relax and get ready for some ice climbing tomorrow.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
First Morning in Portage Valley
Woke up for a pre-dawn walk to the Portage Glacier this morning. Everyone talked about doing it last night but when 5:30 am rolled around it was only Jake and I out the door. Crystal clear night with Mt. Burns silhouetted by the stars, which made for a beautiful walk. Reached the head of the glacier around 7 am. The glacier was amazing, the deepest blue. Jake and I just hung out until the cold got to us. The walk back was uneventful except for a lazy bull moose and Jake falling through thin ice. Great day to be alive.
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