Solstice Season

This blog covers the activities From early December to late January.  This is normally a training period of many ski days, blurred together through similarity.  This was certainly the case this season, although perhaps mellowed by more time spent with family and new relationships.  I will detail a selection of these days during this block, chronologically.

Rad trip through Rogers Pass on the way back to Montana. This was taken on NRC, with Iris Neary and Florence (pictured).

After a couple weeks of storm skiing in Montana, the weather opened up and allowed for some great skiing with stable conditions.

Trees and shadows. Transitioning from storm skiing to alpine days. It is so fun to be immersed in the changes in the weather, flexible in the cycle of storm and sun.

Looking into the heart of the Crown of the Continent. The home range is so inspiring!

At the bar the night before, Blake Votilla, Kevin Grove and I decided to try skiing right gully on Mt. Brown.  It seemed like a better idea in the bar than the Park.  More known as an ice climb, but with some rappels it made for a nice change from standard ski touring.  Here, Blake investigates some suspicious windslab close to the first rappel.

Blake descending the first rappel on Right Gully.

Before descending Right Gully on Mt. Brown. In the background is one of the raddest ridge enchainments in the Livingston Range, the Stanton-Heavens. Blake Votilla photo.

Two female Moose on our exit from Right Gully.

Kyle ascending out of Marion. The Middlefork was the busiest I have ever seen it this season.

One of the last large Whitebark Pine in the Marion basin.

Once back in Squamish, I had about six really rough ski days. My first day up the Gondola finally came together, and Ryan and I soloed Copilot in the storm.

Solo days up the Gondola! This day gave me deja vu from Chile. Solo, light snow on top of a crust, and no one else around.

Downclimbing down to my skis to get into the couloir! Fun days on the Sea to Sky Gondola.

Rad day up in the Duffey with Jason Kruk. We climbed Matier and skied the classic north face and several other lines on Joffre.

Jason cruising down the north face.