Super bummed to get back from an incredible day of skiing to hear the news about Shane McConkey. He was an inspiration to us all. Thoughts go out to his family. Trying to take it all in. Really sad….
Monthly Archive for March, 2009
I was lucky enough to get out today with Howie Garber, Eric (sorry can’t remember your last name) and the one and only Wizard of the Wasatch. Howie is a photographer, Eric is a ski guide and the Wizard is a mythic figure most often spotted skiing pow in the Wasatch backcountry. Conditions are quite good with 10-20″ of fresh snow in most places. There was a bit of wind-damaged snow in a few spots but overall great conditions. You can see some pics that the Wizard took HERE. Hopefully I will get some of Howie’s photos to add soon. Here are some photos I took…
The Wizard and some of his magic morning light.
The Wizard escaping Was Angeles.
Howie Garber sets up to take some photos.
The Wizard proves his wizardry by going straight through breakable wind crust. Scary!
Eric breaking the steep and deep.
Mmmmm...Mineral Fork, Drom and Twin
Recent high pressure has left Utah with less than ideal snow conditions… time to go climbing!
I am not one to focus on climbing grades, in fact I try to ignore them as much as possible. But today I can’t help but be stoked to have sent a new grade for me, V9. Lately I have really been focusing on bouldering and I guess it is starting to pay off. Shingles is a Little Cottonwood classic. It is hard to imagine a better line. Small crimps on an overhanging face lead to crazy dynamic throw to decent right hand, after that it is classic LCC V4. Amazing! I couldn’t be more stoked to get the send today. Here are some pics of Johnny Edwards and I working on Shingles a few days ago.
The problem starts in the lower left corner and heads up and right to the sunny arete
Me, lying below Shingles trying to summon some strength from my fingers. Photo: Johnny Edwards
There was a lot of this... Johnny pops off of the crux.
LCC is awesome! Johnny working it out.
Working out the upper moves. Photo: Johnny Edwards
Still after all of these years Little Cottonwood continues to blow my mind.
The first ever Big LePowSki was a huge success. Everyone had a great day at Brighton on Saturday. Mad props to Charlie Lynch from Black Diamond for organizing such a great event.
Black Diamond was there demoing all of next years skis.
I spent all day with these two guys. Fellow clinician Chris Erickson on the left, and my student Chris who was in both of my clinics..
Chris Erickson and I taught clinics together all day. In the morning we taught “how to drop a cliff.” Conditions were less than ideal for hucking so we kept it small and focused on stomping airs clean. Everyone killed it and stomped just about everything I put in front of them. One student, Launce, stood out. Launce was skiing fluid and stomping airs. He is competing in Crested Butte at the Telemark Freeskiing Competition in the Senior Division. I think that he there is a good chance he is going to win and if so I am taking the all the credit. Go Launce!
Lance talking to Noah Howell about signing an exclusive filming contract with PW.
In the afternoon Chris Erickson and I taught the “how to spin a 360″ clinic. We ended up heading out of bounds and happening upon a nice booter with a soft landing.
Gentry with Timp in the background. Little does he know but, he is about to stomp his first 360 on tele skis.
Gentry throwing the tele heli! YEAH BOY!
At the end of the day everyone left with a big fat smile on their face. I can’t wait to do it again next year!
Brett Crabtree WANTS YOU... to come to the Big LePowSki next year!