Monthly Archives: November 2008

Mt Rainier Backcountry Ski Tour

There a lot of folks here in the PNW who actually ski year-round. I’m not one of them. But I do love backcountry skiing and there really is nothing like that first ski tour of the year. Despite a pretty abysmal start to the winter, … Read More

Do I have everything? The backcountry pack.

Did someone say SNOW?

It wasn’t so long ago that I was actually looking forward to the onset of spring. An epic winter in Whitefish, Montana, left me secretly yearning for sunny days and warm temps. Let me rephrase that, I just wanted the temps to rise above freezing … Read More

Nasty nasty hoar frost

Are You A Hoar?

One of the many benefits to backcountry skiing in the Pacific Northwest (besides tons of snow and huge amounts of terrain) is we don’t have to worry AS MUCH about hoar frost. Which is why, while living in Whitefish, Montana, last winter, I was always … Read More

Rottefella NTN Telemark Binding

Rethinking Telemark Bindings: The Rottefella NTN

I’ll be the first to say, out loud, that anyone still telemark skiing or ski touring on the ‘old’ telemark bindings are crazy. Although I’ve only been backcountry skiing on the Black Diamond O1s for about a season and half, it took all of two … Read More

Beautiful Oregon Surf

No Snow? Go Surfing.

All of us backcountry skiers in Washington are waiting patiently for the snow to fall. In the meantime there are other adventures we can partake in. Unlike a large portion of my friends who are enjoying epic whitewater paddling at the moment, my wife and … Read More

Paradise Inn, Mt Rainier National Park

Backcountry Skiing Photo Of The Day: Paradise

I don’t think you can find a single backcountry skier in Washington State who hasn’t anxiously awaited their day on the Muir snowfield of Mt Rainier. From novice ski tourers to experienced mountaineers, Mt Rainier is a skiers playground. The below photograph was shot after … Read More

Avalanche Videos: Extended Column Test (ECT)

Yesterday I posted the video “A Dozen More Turns“, which was played at Saturdays Northwest Avalanche Summit here in Seattle. The avalanche video, showing the real-life story of a group of friends enjoying some epic hut skiing was, and is, a reminder that no matter … Read More

The Real Deal: Backcountry Skiing Avalanche Video

A Dozen More Turns is a reminder that anything can happen to anyone while backcountry skiing.

Enjoying The View Just Below the Summit of Broken Top, Oregon Cascades

Sunshine? Not Here in the NW

It’s raining. Yup, it’s that time of the year. Actually, this time two years ago was when the NW received copious amounts of rain. Just check out some of these photos from Mt Rainier – http://mountrainierclimbing.blogspot.com/2006/11/mt-rainier-storm-flood-damage-photos.html. Believe it or not, there are sections of the … Read More

Will You Survive?

Last night I was browsing the world wide web so I could share some avalanche education with my readers. I stumbled across the Forest Service avalanche center website and uncovered this pretty cool little interactive avalanche game.(Although I suppose calling it a ‘game’ isn’t very … Read More