Hiking in Hatcher Pass

My old friend Luke called me up this morning to go on a hike in Hatcher Pass. It was a good day to be up there; mostly sunny, cold and crisp. We hiked up to a peak above Independence Mine that I've skied a few times... no idea what it's name is or if it even has one. There are some pretty good views from the top.

The mountains of Hatcher Pass are scattered with old buildings, huts, and mine shafts from the gold rush days. It's incredible to see some of the heavy equipment and huge cables spanning mountain peaks that was once carried up by hand in the early to mid 1900's. The area has a lot of history.

I tried out my mom's new Sony point and shoot today. I like the quality, but the sky is blown out in a number of my photos. Then again, I didn't mess with any of the settings... so I probably could have fixed that if I had tried.

[ Luke hiking up the ridge. You can faintly see Pioneer Peak on the horizon. ]

[ Looking out towards the valley from an old mining hut. ]

[ Just need them to fill up with snow... ]

[ Checking out an old mine shaft. ]

[ There were some cool ice formations in it. ]

[ One of my favorite places of all time. ]

[ View from the top - towards the valley. ]

[ Luke ]

The Fun Theory - Piano Stairs

Chris Tatsuno posted this video on his facebook page. Cool concept- check out more at The Fun Theory. I like the World's Deepest Bin too.

From my backdoor

The clouds have lifted and the Chugach have some snow- last week they were dry. The photos are pretty crappy, but you get the point.

[ Pioneer Peak - 6,398 feet ]

[ Matanuska Peak - 6,119 feet ]

I might have to scrap together some ski gear this weekend and head out to the Lane Glacier...

All work and no play

I came home to Alaska to work until Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opens for the 2009/2010 season- opening day is November 28. Aside from a visit to Anchorage last weekend to see Everyday is a Saturday, the Aces hockey game, and a late night hopping bars, it's been all work and very low key. Hopefully I'll get out and go on some sort of adventure this weekend so I have more to share.

AVALON7

Started by pro snowboarder Rob Kingwill of Jackson, Wyoming in 2005 - to inspire and support riders, artists, and musicians to collectively progress and create positive change. Pretty cool - check it out.

AVALON7 Website

Alaska for the off-season

I made the last minute decision to head home for the off-season. I spent the last few days down in Denver with Alex. This morning I flew up to Alaska where I will working construction for my father's company until Thanksgiving. I'll be returning to Jackson just in time for the mountain to open.

TGR: Deeper

You should try this.

Hiking turns at Targhee

I went back up to Targhee yesterday afternoon with Melonie and Alex to hike some turns. The day started off with some D.O.G. breakfast burritos. It was snowing at Targhee and the road was lined with cars of other skiers. We got a late start, but had a great run.

[ Spicy Meat ]

[ Mel ]

[ Targhee access road ]

[ Pumped to go skiing ]

[ Really? ]

[ Alex ]

[ Almost there ]

[ Getting ready for the ski down ]

[ Slash ]

[ Success ]

In the last 48 hours...

Well, maybe not the last 48 hours, but in the last few days...

• I skiied Targhee
  
• I worked for 30 hours during a 48 hour period
• I had the glow plugs in the Benz replaced
• I made a huge platter of nachos
  
• I went to a ski movie premier for Contrast & Everyday Is A Saturday at the Teton Theater
  
• NASA crashed an empty rocket into the moon in search of water
• President Obama was awarded the Noble Peace Prize

It's been an eventful week.

Afternoon exploring in GTNP

Jacki, Mel, and I did a little afternoon exploring in Grand Teton National Park this afternoon in Ubar. We drove up to Jackson Lake and walked into the beach at the South Landing. The water level was low.

[ Jacki ]

[ Tetons ]

[ Mel ]

[ Hurling boulders, no big deal ]

[ Jackson Lake ]

[ Headed back to town ]

First turns of the season

We got some early season turns at Targhee this morning. There was probably about a foot of snow and a solid skin track going up. Definitely enough to ski, but plan on hitting some rocks. Keep it coming!

[ The crew getting ready ]

[ Jacki ]

[ Nate & Leath ]

[ GT base area ]

[ Jacki skinning ]

[ Leath ]

[ Leath, Jacki, Lisa, Nate - getting ready to shred ]

[ Headed back to Jackson after a successful morning ]

4 inches overnight...

4 inches in town, more in the mountains! Making some breakfast and then headed out to make some turns...

More early season snow...

About an hour ago I noticed that it started snowing here in town. Looks like we have about an inch so far and it's still coming down hard. Headed over to Targhee tomorrow morning to make some early season turns!

Is it a plum?

This afternoon, I was in my driveway working on the Benz when I noticed a tree with fruit in the yard. Somehow I hadn't seen it before. It has what look like little plums on it. I picked one to inspect closer. Similar in size to a golf ball, purple outside, green inside (not ripe?), and it has a pit. What is it?? Any thoughts?

Level 1 : Refresh

Engineers at work.

This is what happens when bored engineers get together...