The countdown to my Valdez, Alaska, AMGA ski-mountaineering course continues, so in an effort to get some vert and develop a bit of fitness, I headed into the Gore Range with none other than Trim Brown and El Chuck Bird. Local hardman, CAIC forecaster, IFMGA guide, all-around good dude, Trimmy has developed a bit of an obsession for the Gore Range of late. Chuck’s toured up there a bit and I’ve only poked around during summer. The Gore’s remote, the bushwhacking’s heinous, the terrain huge (a 4000-foot couloir exists within reach of the road), and the adventure quotient high. No guidebook exists (that I know of) and visitors are few, especially on skis. You will not find specific place names herein, and certainly no GPS coordinates. Enter and explore to your own fulfillment. Just bring a good attitude, an extra sandwich, and a big ole smile on your face–it’s Hard Gore up there!
