Wyoming... Why Not

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A few shots from last years pow trip.

Leaving on the 31st of January, almost let January slide by. Got the call a couple days ago and it's on. Just checked the National Weather Map and it's starting to snow again. It's been a little dry spell for a couple weeks, but that is OK, the snow pack will set-up and then pile some fresh powder on top and it will be a powder feast...ya! Starting to get the gear in order again and ramp it up for another adventure.

Cooke City, MT - SummitHD Films - S2: HANGFIRE Teaser

BC Slide

Slide on avalanche crest - Jan 9 2009 from Tyler Wilkes on Vimeo.

Winter in the Valley

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The River still open at -5 degrees. It was all froze over 4 days later, but you wouldn't see me trying to cross it.

We cleared a winter bike trail last week in sub zero temps. It took about 4.5 hours to go down and back on it. This first day was to blast a trail through all the snow we've got this year. It was a solid snow pack and took much effort, but worth it.

I went back down after a fresh 3" snow on Friday. I was able to go down and back in less than 3 hours with the snowblower and added another 150 yards to the far end of the trail.

There were fox tracks and the deer have been on the path. I did see a herd of deer off to the side in the woods watching me. They had no fear of me or the running snowblower. People have been also hiking the trail. It is always interesting after a fresh snow to see all the tracks and trails. I saw where a fox had wandered along and then you could see where he pounced in the deep snow and stuck his head into the snow to possibly catch a mouse for a quick meal.

WINTER

That is the beauty of the winter, the tracks that tell the stories, the animals and their daily life and death scenarios that are played out during the nights and early mornings. Then the new snow comes and it is a clean canvas, to be tracked upon again. Being an avid hunter for many years and a hiker, I learned many years ago from my Grandpas and Dad about the signs from the tracks, they tell a story, one just has to interpret the sign. That is a large part of the winter mountain adventures, the new snow and a fresh day to lay your own tracks, whether it is on snowshoes, snowboards or snowmobile. Or even on the overnight drives into the mountains and laying the first tire tracks on some remote road. Maybe pulling over and shut the truck off, get out, stand and watch the snow flakes come drifting down in the dark. It is a powerful force in my life and I feel it every time I get out in the winter. I look for the adventure, whether it is a couple miles from my house or 1500 miles from my house, it is what you make of it. The night and fresh snow, it doesn't get much better than that. GOOD TIMES!!

Thanks to Steve and Q for the use of the snowblower.

Avalanche on the Throne

Ski Patroling / New Years Eve 2010

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Under the lights.

Got the first run of 2010, at 12:02 AM January 1, 2010.

Avalanche Investigation at Crown Butte--28 Dec 2009

Colorado / 12-18-09

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The views from above Berthoud Pass. The snowpack was still a bit sketchy, so we decided to stay in safe zones, and get as much powder as we could.

Yours Truly showing off the Burton Fish from "World Boards". This is a great powder board that darts through the trees and transitions quick on the steeps. You only have to shift slightly to the rear and the nose just surfs.

Weez is rocking on her own Burton Fish. She was really cranking in the powder having a good time.

Steve has 2 speeds, idle and FULL SPEED AHEAD.

Jay was feeling the powder.

We got in 3 good runs on this day. Weez and I use the Atlas Backcountry Snowshoes, they have the lift for your heel which makes climbing the steep much less effort.

Steve making it look easy, he got in 4 runs on the day.

Big Fish little Fish standing in the snow.

Switching from up mode to down. It is when you put your outer layer of clothes and gloves back on. As you step out of your snowshoes into your snowboard you can enjoy the view and grab a drink before the descent, the reward for your effort.

We got into a steeper tree area on our last run.

The snow was great and we darted in and out of the trees.

The last run of Weezs' and my trip was the best. Steve and Jay stayed 2 more days, so they were right in the middle of their trip.

We finally got the powder runs that we had hunted for all week, everybody came home safe and it was a "GOOD TIMES" adventure. We had 3 days on the snowmobiles on top of Buff Pass in some untracked powder. One day snowboarding in the resort at Copper Mountain with fresh snow. A good day of hiking and shredding some powder at Berthoud Pass the last day. Even the freezing rain and snow storms on the drive out set the tone for the week, don't let your guard down.

Ya just have to be prepared for whatever the weather throws at you and don't force your plans, be flexible. With the red light avalanche conditions and thousands of miles driven we made the right decisions "knock on wood" this month. We met interesting people, laughed, downed a few cold ones and lived the life. Weez and I thank Steve and Jay for their companionship and good humor.

The kicker is, another storm is ramping up out west and we could gas up the truck and do it all over again. Yikes!! I better have a beer and go to bed, it's 3:07 AM!