Good Time, Spring Time

A few weeks ago four of us went out skiing/boarding before our summer season gets increasingly busy.  We had planned on going for a day in Turnagain Pass but web cams and rainy forecasts influenced our decision to go elsewhere.  So, we headed for the bowls around Mount Harp.  It was a relaxed day of hiking, shredding, drinking PBR, enjoying the wildlife (moose w/calf) and skinning in the warm spring air.

Here's my edited footage from that day.  I think I'm actually getting better at this stuff.  

Good Ol' Harp

Mt. Harp never dissapoints. It is my 'Go To' mountain, when I'm in a hurry.  I've been riding this mountain since I began snowboarding in the backcountry, before I even considered it being 'backcountry snowboarding' but rather, just plain, snowboarding.  Being out there reminded me of one of those early years of riding.  I boot-packed up because there was a lack of snow, but it is the same way I ascended in the earlier years.  Also, I did a run on a part of the mountain that I hadn't done since the beginning of my love for backcountry snowboarding.  What a hit!

A Knoya Kinda Day

Sunday came and off I went with the purpose to ascend Knoya Peak.  Knoya, is in the front range of the Chugach, easily visible from the East side of Anchorage and one that I gaze at on a daily basis driving home from work.  I've always wanted to explore this area, but for some reason I had never ventured to Knoya or any of the other valleys and peaks accessible from the Basher Road trailhead.

Accompanying Aaron Fetter, we set off at late morning with two dogs, blue skies and varied expectations.  We hiked the ridge up to the summit and descended the southern aspect towards the North Fork of Campbell Creek.  Where we skinned, bushwhacked, and hiked back to the trailhead.

 Late morning light

 

An area that begs my exploration

 

Enjoying the view from the summit

 

 and finally getting along.

Good Tour, Bad Descent

I went out with my back country snowboarding partner, Sergei, today.  He came up for a few weeks from Portland, so we went to our usual hangout, Harp Mountain.

After a week of non-stop wind the week before last, we knew the conditions were going to be awful, but we wanted to get out anyway.  The wind hammered snow made it out to be a great tour on the low angle approach, but gaining the ridge at the higher angle and breakable wind slabs reminded us that the conditions were not ideal.

The descent was brutal, but fun (I've yet to have a descent that isn't).  After the first turn, trying to get an edge in was unsuccessful and sent me on my backside sliding down the first 30 yards.  Just when I thought I was getting close to becoming a pro rider, the run shattered my ego.

Here's a couple pictures I got of Sergei on his descent:

Sunday Service on Marmot

A 2 pm birthday party sent me packing early this morning.  The reward of leaving early was being in solitude in an otherwise busy, Hatcher Pass.

The early morning light show was spectacular along the mountains. The sunrise was casting dark shadows in contrast to the bright white snow and then other times illuminating the snow and clouds with bright oranges and pinks.  I felt close to God being in his country on this Sunday morning when most are sitting in a warm, church building. Hallelujah!

The video below shows my descent. The first few turns were nice after that the snow was a bit crusty underneath the few inches of creamy powder. Also, notice how those skiers tracks are all over the place, geez!

Summit Lake Alaska

I have found winter and spring are my two favorite seasons because I get to surf the gnar! I try to go out nearly every weekend for a quick skin and ride. There is no better therapy for, 'winter blues' or 'work blues' in my case.

For Christmas, I was blessed with a helmet cam. A much needed winter gadget that will help in sharing my passion for riding the mountains. I don't tend to take many pictures if any in the winter, mostly due to colder temperatures, bulky gloves and the fact that I lost our point and shoot last winter.

I was able to use this newly acquired technology on a short day trip out near Summit Lake, Alaska. I didn't take the time to edit the clips, so, turn on your favorite tune and enjoy the few minutes of me, surfing the gnar.