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.

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.

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

Just got back from an overnight trip across Portage Lake and up over Portage Pass to Whitter. Everything went exceptionally well. We got a bit of avalanche beacon training, winter camping tricks, and used to skinning with the skis. The decent down the pass was a bit dodgy, mainly because the snow pack sucked (there should be at least 10-15ft more). It was every ones first time going down steep terrain with skis and a heavy pack. Jono, even though he was giving every effort, had to take off his skis and walk down. Quick rest tonight and then out to Turnagain Arm and the Center Ridge near the Library.

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.

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.

The Dirty North (aka Anchorage)

Killer

We finished up our Wilderness First Responder training yesterday and said farewell to our instructor, Fay. It was a bit hard to see her leave, she's one of those people that cares about what she does and knows how to deal with people on a very personal level. Hugs were thrown around, good times. We ended up in Anchorage last night, which was much needed after spending every waking moment in a 20 x 20 room for the last week. It felt good to drink a few beers, relax, and play some pool. Civilization is nice from time to time. We have today to do whatever and hopefully pick up our skis and get the hell out on the slopes manana.

Brain Melting

Yeah, projectors are pretty alright for watching movies.

Logan had a spinal injury.

For the last week or so we have all been doing classes to become Wilderness First Responder certified..........sensory overload.  We spend everyday 9am to 5pm in a single room looking at slides and listening to lectures. Then at the end of each day we sleep in the same room. Needless to say the world has become like one big ground hogs day, repeating over and over. We all signed up to be outside the majority of the time, haha and we are all going stir crazy. But this is all part of it I guess. Too much to remember in such a short time span.......I need an lobotomy. Volume shock, increased intracranial pressure, distal CSM, and pneumothorastic punctures are now firmly seated in my lexicon. I'm U on AVPU.



Oh, did I mention we acquired a projector? Movie night, every night.

Five Fingers

Five Fingers

Big turn out...

Today was actually a pretty ok day. Spent most of the day up at Five Fingers ice climbing in the intermediate class with a very interesting group of guys. Our guide was a bit relaxed about us approaching on some very difficult terrain and not knowing everyone's skill level, which made me take note of what not to do. Took a few runs but finally got back into the grove. I was convinced to start using only one axe, and spent the rest of the day climbing like that. With one axe it makes you think about and trust your feet way more, at the end of the day I did a route with both axes and it was a shitshow. Good times. Tomorrow is the start of the WFR course, back to the books.

The Australian Iceberg

Portage Glacier

Jake on the rocks.

Scenic Views

Early morning and ice....and then disappointment. Dan and I walked over to the ice climbing festival early this morning only to find 3 routes about 10 ft high and one tent. Needless to say we were half asleep and unimpressed. Decided to head back to the lodge, get some grub, and walk out to the glacier again. Convinced everyone else to join in, good group bonding. Made it back in time to watch some of the ice climbing competition, which was more like 10 ft of ice at the bottom and then 100 more feet of rock, M6+. Most of the competitors didn't even make it to the top. Jake decided to sign up for the comp with the idea that it was on one of the smaller routes and was immediately told after paying his entry fee he would have to try the M6+ route. Haha Dan and I laughed our asses off. We took bets on how far up he would get, I said two steps on the rock and Dan said 3 steps. Fortunately we were both wrong, completely. It was some ugly mixed climbing but Jake got up to the half way before running out of time. Time to eat some grub and get ready for the intermediate ice climbing clinic tomorrow.

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.

Portage Glacier and Basecamp

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.