Winter! Picture of the Day

With the idea of going long we squandered the best snow of the year on low angle terrain and race skis.  I guess we're slow learners, still pretty good though.  If I could call in sick tomorrow I would.

Jared somewhere between Millcreek and Big Cottonwood

Wasatch Powderkeg 2012

The Wasatch Powderkeg is the best ski mountaineering race in the country.  Over 150 people came out this last Saturday and we were all treated with sun, icy skinning, supportable crust, breakable crust, powder and an overall good time.  Thanks Chad and Emily for all the work.  I think they placed and picked up several thousand flags.  Without their help this race would have died a long time ago.

Emily and Chad? marking the course (photo from http://wasatchpowderkeg.com/?page_id=242)

I had a good race and can think of many contributing factors but three stick out in my mind. The first was course recon.  Jared and I went up the afternoon before and skinned/skied through the slushy moguls that were going to freeze ovrnight and turn into technical skinning the next day.  Knowing this, I chose to use wall to wall skins and Jared used ski crampons.  When everyone else was struggling, we both cruised and happended to top this part of the climb in 1st and 2nd.  The right gear choice makes a difference.  The second, real race boots. This was my first race in my Dynafit Evo's and I couldn't be more pleased.  They're a pound and a half (per pair) lighter than my previous race boots (TLT 5's) and the lack of weight was noticable.  Again, the right gear makes a difference.  Third, work.  Not working out, job work.  This month my schedule has been pretty hectic so I haven't had a ton of time to get out.  Although I'd rather do something big everyday, a forced rest was probably good for the race. More of Chad's photos and links to others can be found here, enjoy!

Happy to be close to the top of the last climb (photo from Aaron Smith's facebook album)

Also, congrats to the rest of the Wasatch.  I'm no Powderkeg historian but this has to be the strongest Wasatch based contingent ever.  Hopefully we can keep things rolling through the spring and summer!

Powderkeg Recon?

Up orange, down green

Jared and I got out this morning with intentions of scouting the Powderkeg course (sign up HERE, more info HERE).  Next thing we knew we were on top of Mt Millicent looking towards Wolverine Cirque talking about traversing ridges around and back towards the East end of Brighton.  It was sunny, the ridges looked safe, and we both knew the PK course pretty well already so the off we went.  Although the scary snowpack kept us off a lot of desirable terrain it certainly felt like a tour.  

Stupid Chute, almost ready for the race

Wolverine Cirque with 1 set of tracks

Jared off the Mt. Wolverine shoulder heading for another climb up the ridge outlined with sun

Wasatch Citizen's Series - The Grand Finale

We held the last Citizen's Series race last night at Brighton.  Like the others, it was a success.  Again big thanks to Brighton for allowing all of us to run around their resort.  The CAT driver Greg was especially cool again changing up his entire route just to accommodate.  The format was a two person team relay with each team member completing a total of 4 ups and downs.  Just like last time, an attempt was made to divide teams fairly evenly.  

Pre-race

 After the customary fast start, burning lungs, and the Samurai pulling his usual time saving stunts (having a second set of skis at the transition skinned up and ready to go) it boiled down to a two man race.  Jake vs. Blake.  It was back and forth until Blake a massive skin failure on the final climb giving the win to the team of Jake and Andy.

Jake vs Blake

Winners

 Although many were excited to be out getting a little exercise, others were anxious to get to Molly Green’s and find out who was going to win the Powderwhore swag and La Sportiva GTRs.  Names were placed in a boot with the big win going to Tim!

All in all it was great start to the Citizen’s Series.  I’m looking forward to see what the next year will bring. It seems like there has been a great response and hopefully the sport will continue to grow.  For those of you who sat at home last night, SHAME! 

Another winner