On the Snow at Afton Alps

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My son Jeff and his family, joined me out at the ski hill today while I was Ski Patroling.

Grandson Owen enjoying the snow after his ski lesson.

How deep? Cooke City Deep! - 17 Dec 2012

Putting a Wrap on the Cooke City, Montana Adventure

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The last day of the trip to Cooke City was bright with sunlight, we were able to see the mountains and explore a new area.

The potential for snowboarding was evident for a future trip and it was great to get on the sled early in the season. 

 We climbed up high to the pass for some great views of the surrounding mountains.

This impromptu trip and destination turned out to be a good adventure and a chance to ride some challenging deep snow. Met some good people, enjoyed good food and added another area to my list.

Happy New Year and Happy Travels to All!!

Cooke City, Montana / Merry X-mas

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Over the mountains and through the woods to Grandmothers house we go...Merry X-mas!

Good Times!!

Cooke City, Montana / Snowmobile Day in the Mountains

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Deep powder and high winds were the menu for the day. This was a classic deep mountain day, with steady snowfall early in the day and the winds picking up and giving us 0 visibility at times.

We rented a snowmobile and I had my M8 Arctic Cat. They gave us a brand new jet black M8. It was a good time switching back and forth between the sleds. My M8 had more gear on it , so a bit more weight, both sleds were a blast to ride in the powder. The trail was whooped up and both sleds felt about the same on the trail.

 Two Arctic Cat M8s. 

 Not stuck, but had to saw down a couple pine trees to fit the sled between the trees, always carry a folding saw.

 Ready to pop the sled through the trees. Good times in the backcountry!

 Great to be on the sleds again.

 Powder was deep!

The M8 loaded and digging the powder.

 The winds were picking up and blowing the new snow, had to stop and enjoy the moment. Times like these I really feel a part of the mountains.

We stopped the sleds above Cooke City on the way back and watched the dark clouds move into the valley. Great scenery everywhere you looked.

Sledboard Trip to Cooke City, Montana

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On our way to Montana. We decided to take the trip on Thursday, I started to set the truck up and loaded the snowmobile. Then on Friday finished packing. We made the decision to go to Cooke City while driving through Montana. It is shaping up to be a good adventure. 

 We slept in the truck off a freeway ramp in the middle of North Dakota. When we woke up the truck and snowmobile were covered with a heavy layer of frost.

 We pass through Yellowstone to reach Cooke City, about 60 miles on a narrow twisty, snow covered road. The sights were awesome.

 We spotted several buffalo and small herds of elk, I saw a couple of bighorn sheep also.

 We could smell the hot springs and saw some steam off a couple.

Cooke City, Montana...22 hours and 1100 miles in the truck (including our nap in the middle of North Dakota) and we arrive to a snowy main street and many sleds. We checked into our hotel and went down the street and enjoyed a very good meal at one of the taverns. Burgers and a cold beer and Weez with glass of wine and it was cheers to a good beginning to our sledboard adventure.

Middle of the Night in the Middle of North Dakota

Stopped in middle of North Dakota at a wayside rest, traveled about 350 miles so far. Drove through a bit of a storm in Minnesota, mostly freezing rain then turned into snow. It was all good, lock the F150 into 4-wheel drive and keep on a hammering.

Catch a bit of shuteye, 1or 2 hours, then back on the road. Have got about 600 miles to go to Bozeman.

Good night you all...

Natural Avalanche Northern Bridger Range 14 Dec 12

This is the area we will be in north of Bridger Bowl.

Where to dig a snowpit

Going to travel to Montana overnight tonight. This is what we will be looking for while we are in the mountains around Bozeman, Montana over the next 4 days. I'll be snowboarding and sledboarding, bringing the snowmobile.

I'll post pictures and stories during the trip. Have a good week.

Day # 1 on the Snowboard for the 2012 - 2013 Season

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Preparing our Avalanche Gear

Solid Base Northern Bridger Range - 15 Nov 2012