Mad Pow Disease

It's been nearly two months since an update.  The only two planking i've done typically involves a #8d nail and a two-buh-fower.  The best news that I have is that the cabin is complete.  We had an absolute epic New Years Eve bash with about 16 of our closest friends splayed out across the loft.  We partied until 0430, something I haven't done since college - Cla$$ick!  Complete with tons of food, more than $500 worth of fireworks and stack cup.  My Dad's Bloody Mary recipe was crucial the next morning.

So now I can ski.  Too bad I have to work this weekend.  So next weekend will be my first time on the snow this season.  Its great that we have tons of snow in Turnagain Pass - nearly 10 feet of snow since December 22nd.  Too bad its sitting on ball bearings.  There have been some pretty substantial and scary avalanches as of late - one on Tincan and the other on the uptrack to what I call the Avalanche Laboratory (motorized side of TPass).

Not much to speak of in the South Fork.  The pack resembles what you'd find in early October.  Even the Telemark Tips forum was renamed the "Facet Epicness Thread".  There's a time to go big, but not this year.  And it might not get much better for SCAK.  The National Weather Service is forecasting an "atmospheric river" this weekend.  Thanks Hawaii, but we'd rather visit you - the Pineapple Express is getting a little old.

Speaking of going big, what contributed to all of these facets also contributed to some amazing mountain views.  Like this one:  Sunset on the Great One.

And the weather geeks may know the above clould to be a Lenticular.  Very commonly seen on Denali.

I know this blog needs a stoke bump, but it just wouldn't be right without some pics of the finished product.  All were taken with my GoPro to appreciate the big picture of our small cabin.

Just like The Shrink said today, we are thankful for all of the hard work by friends, family and co-workers - we couldn't have done it without you!  To think that we went from here:

To here in just 6 months is amazing.  Every weekend and lots of time off.

Special thanks to Lee Snowberger of North Ridge Rustics for his fantastic log work, attention to detail and excellent craftsmanship.

And now I promise to bring back the stoke.  The title track to "Superheroes of Stoke" will get the blood flowing:


Superheroes of Stoke Trailer from MSP Films on Vimeo.

Crossfit Open Games WOD 12.2

Quick update:

WOD 12.2 for the Crossfit Open Games is posted here:

Proceed through the sequence below completing as many reps as possible in 10 minutes of:
30 Snatch (M 75 / F 45 lbs)
30 Snatch (M 135 / F 75 lbs)
30 Snatch (M 165 / F 100 lbs)
Max Rep Snatch (M 210 / F 120 lbs)

This workout begins from the standing position. The athlete will complete all reps at the first weight before advancing to the next weight. Score is total reps completed in 10min.

The trouble about this workout is that i've never even done a snatch.  I feverishly searched the internet for instruction on this olympic lift.  I practiced with a piece of PVC pipe in my office...interrupted by Meg saying "what are you doing?!?!"

My score = 32.  Not too bad considering my new PR is 135 lbs.  That's a lot of weight to get over your head.

Nuff of that.  Check out this video of an avalanche that hit a fishing warehouse in King Cove, Alaska.  Pure destruction.  Luckily the employees left about 30 minutes for the day.

Ski it if you can!

Winner Creek

February has been a crazy month so far for storm snow.  Alyeska Resort has received 204" of new snow since the first of the month.  Get out the shovels, because another 8-12" is expected today.

On Saturday, Matt & Agnes rallied for their first BC outing since returning from NZ and Mitch rounded out the group.  We decided on the long slog out to the snowcat terrain past Winner Creek.  We made quick time on the cat track and met the large group of clients as we reached the base of Notch Mountain.  Every single one of them had some type of GoPro camera attached to various parts of their body.

Speaking of GoPro's, I put together this quick edit of the fantastic powder skiing.



And it's been a rough year for the lower 48 and avalanche deaths.  4 people were killed yesterday in two separate incidents at Stevens and Snoqualmie passes.  Girdwood native and freeskier Elyse Saugstad was one of the group members caught and carried.  6 people have been killed in Colorado this year.

Also interesting to note that she was wearing an ABS Avalanche Airbag Backpack.  Recent videos of an incident in Colorado of a BCA Float 30 avalanche airbag that went "viral".  Thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families.

Stay safe and enjoy all of the white stuff!

mlj

Super....bowl???

Well, not quite.  I skied my local Eagle River favorite with my local favorite ski dog - Lobita.  We had received about 8" of fresh snow in the ER, but I would say there was about 12" of blower powder in the bowl.  I was presently surprised, and would almost say that was the deepest snow i'd skied in North Bowl.

Making my way up the ridge.  Wind buffed powder.  It's usually scoured up here, what a nice surprise.  Dogface getting after it...

Looks like someone tracked up Three Bowls.  My guess would be JT.

The everpresent cornice on the ridge.  Anchorage in the background.

Trying to get this new tripod thing working.  Its getting better.

 I think i've posted this picture before.  About half way down for my rest break.  Lots of face shots to go around.

Sorry for the flat light.  A look at my run.  I made about one thousand butt-wiggle Suzy Chapstick turns all the way to the valley floor...it was that good.

While skinning back up to the saddle, I ran into this dude who lives at the base of the South Fork Trailhead.  We noticed a skier triggered avalanche on a chute on the east side of Highland Road, a run locally known as "Leighow".

It ran for about 1800 feet.  I saw a ski party of 4 ascending the gully and thinking that they are going to get themselves in some trouble.  And they did...

This entry wouldn't be complete with a parting shot of The Shrink ripping up some freshies at the resort!

By the way.  The actual name "Superbowl" is a run in Turnagain Pass that was named on this day by Eric the Viking.  That's your little known Alaska backcountry skiing fact.