Only modern snowmaking operations, mountain biking, and some decent ice climbing can see us through the unbearable lack of snow. It seems like it’s gonna be another heinous ski season, friends.
To some degree, it’s all right…at least for me. I’ve got my “Ice Instructor Course” coming up and I’ll need it to get into my advanced alpine-guide course/aspirant exam next fall. I’ve been trying to get out as much as possible in the hopes I won’t make a total gumby of myself down in Ouray, December 19-23. Wish me luck!
That’s me leading All Mixed Up (in Rocky Mtn. National Park), which came in pretty fat this year (no rock gear needed). I got the opportunity to climb it with a bunch of world-class climbers, from whom I learned a ton. Fabrizio Zangrilli, Kelly Cordes, Mike Arnold and I all got some vert and it was good training for me. Ice is definitely my weakest discipline, so I’ve tried to shut my cakehole and learn as much as possible–we’ll see if I did enough!
Meanwhile the rando season is about to start. Tuesday morning at A-Basin, there will be a 45-60 minute event, with a couple transitions: the perfect warm-up for the rest of the 15-race COSMIC series. I’m gonna crack out my Dynafit race skis and fake it as best I can. You should too! Races are $20 per event, or you can register for all four ahead of time and save a little dough. It’s a really fun, relaxed atmosphere, even if you’re going full tilt on the uphills.
This drought/Indian summer is a real bummer if you dwell on it…but I guess there’s nothing to do but hope and keep an eye on tickets to BC, AK, and Europe (where it’s NUKING at present!). I’m hoping to travel some in the spring and get in some tail-guiding with Martin Volken up in the Cascades. His guiding company, Pro Guide Service, is among the best in the United States and he’s a great instructor (as well as an examiner for the AMGA), so it’ll be great prep for my final ski exam, which I’ll hopefully do in 2014.
While you’re surfing, check out Martin’s gear shop, Pro Ski and Mountain Service. He stocks great stuff for rando, skimo, and all-things-alpine. I know he’s planning to launch a new site soon, so keep your eyes peeled–it’s a great online shop, with some hard-to-find Euro stuff in stock. They’re located in North Bend, right on I-90 as you drive into Seattle. Stop by when you’re rolling to the PNW!
Well, I hope you’re making the most of Indian summer. It’s pretty beat, but hey…at least we live somewhere with options. I’ll hope to see you on the start line at the Basin on Tuesday, and if not…then see you in Eldo!
