Honeymoon in Canada

Hi there-

Seth and I got back on Saturday night, and had the most wonderful time. Actually ended up running into Matt Heylinger and his dad Terry while in Revelstoke. We had a great time skiing powder with them, even had an epic day of Cat Skiing together! (See below!)



We skiied 15 of 17 days, with no real injuries. Definately needed yesterday off! But, Seth is in the field today digging 9 snow pits, and I skied 16 inches (in 24 hrs) of new powder at Alta this morning. I think I am 2 ski days away from 100 days!



As those who have posted pictures on this site know, they kind of download in any order they want. So, in no particular order...





Asulkan Hut, looking back down the valley. We had the hut to ourselves for the one night we spent in there (cat skiing took up a day we were supposed to be in there.) Then, in the morning, we awoke to a pretty much bluebird day, and were the only ones in the valley. This is a view from our morning skin track.

Seth skiing down the glacier above Asulkan.

At Bow Summitt, near Lake Louise. That area of the Rockies are simply amazing.

Matt Heylinger, with an ear to ear grin after getting the goods down an untouched bowl on our Cat Skiing day.

Skiing up at the Asulkan.

Backcountry day near Fernie, up Tunnel Creek.

Matt getting some air off the North Bowl cornice at Revelstoke.

Seth getting some air at Revelstoke. In true Quadzilla fashion, Seth hiked up 20 feet to be able to get this air. After he landed it, and Matt (his head is at the bottom of the picture) got an awesome picture from below, and I got one from the side, Seth skied down 20 turns and realized his binding was broken. What, Seth broke gear?!?!? The alpine shop in Revelstoke sold one thing telemark--Seth's G3 bindings that he broke! Alas, we were able to go Cat Skiing the next day.

Seth hitting the moderately powdery/icy steeps at Lake Louise. While we didn't get powder at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise or Kicking Horse, we did get some great skiing in. And we got powder at the beginning, 40 cm at Fernie, and at the end, 20 inches at Revelstoke.

The easier way to the top! This cat was posh...heated, we got lunch. The four of us celebrated the last of our 10,700 feet of skiing with yummy Fernie beer in a can. We had a blast skiing with Matt and Terry.

Beautiful angular picture of Seth skiing up above Asulkan.

Powder at Fernie.

Seth making it look easy in the backcountry near Fernie.

So, overall, it was an amazing trip. We can't wait to show you guys more when you come visit and we have our laptop.

Also, I wanted to see what the general feeling amongst Balls-Deepers about nominating new (non-Colby! gasp!) people to join our blogging. I mean, they have to love skiing as much as we do, know everyone, and be voted in unanimously. On that note, Seth and I would like to officially nominate Matt Heylinger to join us Deep. He is an awesome guy, knows everyone, and would have some great pictures and stories to post. Thanks, Tyler and Quinn, for inviting him to dinner that first night in Jackson oh so many years ago.

We will try to post more pictures later.

Love Hils

Some Powder & Pavement

Barely a cloud in the sky this whole weekend. Definitely not warm enough to get any corn snow but found some good powder on the upper half of Killington. Went skiing on Sunday with my wife...first time she has been out on skis since before she became pregnant, 3 years now. She took a few runs before deciding to stop at lunch time. Went out after lunch with some patrol buddies and found some good stashes.
Got home and went for a "crisp" 25 mile bike ride. Cold enough to freeze the nozzle on my water bottle on the final pass coming back down into Dorset.
Hoping for a few moderate storms this week into this weekend. Balz & Quinn, you gonna be around this weekend? We may have some good snows by then, keeping my fingers crossed...
Jon & TG, nice pics from the Tit-ons. You guys ski the AAA couloir? You guys up for a colby reunion 09 someplace out there? Suggestions are always appreciated.

Winter still kicking in Teton County

Just last week it seemed as though spring had arrived here in the Tetons. Then it started snowing again. Last Friday brought us 18 inches. Steady snow since has the 9 day total sitting pretty at 80 inches. The season total is now 551. Why couldn't it ever do this at the 'Loaf?


Endless Couloir


Tim G finding some pow


AAA CouloirDoes anyone know the location of this memorial?

A shout out to blue bird

Been a wild roller coaster ride here in the Northern reaches of Vermont this winter.  Some days rivaled the best in memory, others well, sucked balls.  Typical, I guess. 

I arrived a little early to the hill this morning, had to replace some broken gear that needed tending to.  Forecast was for sun, all day...and the warm kind too.  Temps to hover around 34 towards the afternoon.  On the walk to first chair, I noticed that last week's somewhat lackluster surface of crust, ice, and mank had been replaced with a nice soft base and 4-6 inches of nice, new, soft snow.  A freeze thaw cycle over the weekend and a surprise up-sloper last night (yes, we get them here) was to thank.  

Every shot was good to go.  Freshies, albeit, not terrifically deep, were found until the bitter end.  Smiles were plentiful, as was the south facing couch on the porch of the top-shack.  

Shared the hill with about 40 paying customers, drank Guinness with co-workin' types afterwards.  A damn fine day if I may say so.   

Happy St. Patricks day to all.  Cheers!

Official BC Backout, I'm a white cracker bitch...

After evaluating the condition of my ankle thoroughly, and summoning all the "KNAUER-POWER" possible, I'm officially going to back out of the BC spring hut trip. Continued low-grade swelling, limited range of motion, and overall pain have lead to this decision. I'm the last one who wants to concede, but after talking to physical therapists and confiding in my personal nurse, Erica, I believe this is the best choice to a full recovery and the ability to climb this summer. However, I'm already looking forward to the Colby 2009 ski reunion, location TBD!! Seth and Hils will continue with the trip and enjoy all "BC has to offer", if you know what I mean. Erik should be out here in August for the DNC, and encourage any and all of you to join us for Jack Johnson at Red Rocks!!!

PS - No more TK flexing his nasty rebound skills on the Court!

We believe in KNAUER-POWER!

Tyler-
Seth and I just wanted to say that we believe in Knauer Power...
For all of you would-be doubters that may question it, Exhibit A:

We also offer Exhibit B:

So, Tyler, while we are really bummed to hear that you are hurt, we know you will have a speedy recovery. If you are healed enough to join us in BC-great, but if no, Seth and I will cover all the charges and take a raincheck on our hut trip together...start thinking!

I am officially starting the season of "No more '01 Grads Getting Hurt" program, where all of our friend are banned from the Injured List.

We leave on Thursday for our Ski Honeymoon in BC...fly into Calgary, head to Fernie, drive to Bamff, Lake Loise, Golden, Revelstoke and Rodger Pass. We'll send pictures when we get back.

Love Hils & Seth

Another Heart-Breaker

Injuries, rainstorms, not a lot of love going around. Hopes for big dumpage has been erased and replaced by another major rain/ice event coming this weekend, two in one week...brutal. Between the St. Lawrence river track and the Appalachian Trail storm track, it seems like the coastal storm track (the classic nor'easter) is dead. The forecast for Saturday in Manchester: "Windy with pouring rain" I think my bike will get its first ride of the season tomorrow. Definitely not putting the ski's away just yet, still quite a bit of winter left.
Balz & Quinn, sounds like if we head north sunday maybe we can find some decent powder, or potentially over to the 'dacks. Oswego, NY looks to maybe receive 2+" of snow out of this one.

2001 Colby Grads on '07-'08 Injured List.... White Boys Can't Jump

So as I was preparing for my glorious return to the ski community after nearly 3 weeks of influenza and bachelor parties, I decided it was a great idea to join in on a two on two pick up basketball game this weekend. Keep in mind, I could be the worst basketball player this side of the Ole' Miss. So we were close to the end of the game, score 10-11, gotta win by two as per usual. I skyed high (well, high for me...) for a crucial defensive rebound and came down with the ball, grunting the whole way down. As I descended, I noticed my foot landed on a soft, sloping object, my friends foot and proceeded to role completely over, dropping 6 inches onto the hard wooden floor. Acute pain was paired with an inability to walk equaling female quality shrills and shrieks. The 50 year-old man cross court pulled his children back in fear. Long story short, I ended up in the emergency clinic until 8pm on Sunday night, wishing for a prescription of Vicodin to ease my physical and emotional pain. No such wish would be granted as I gimped out of the clinic with my ankle the size of a football and a "chipped" fibula bone. I got a cool "boot" and some crutches, the students really had a field day with me today. Good news, no broken bones. Bad news, a 4-6 week recovery puts the BC trip in jeopardy. As Bals said two nights ago, "Fuck you dude, I'm pulling you up in a sled to that hut if I have too!" We'll see. So climbing, biking, and skiing plans lay in limbo as I nurse my ankle back to health. Chalk up another one for the Colby 2001 grads Injured list, greeny, hope you're not next.
Peace,
TK