Scotty McGee

Snow Flipper Name Choice

2011-11-20T00:37:00.000-08:00

Snow Flipper Sled

List Price: $139.99

Sale Price: Sold Out

Snow Flipper - Teardrop shape lends more control

Marketing Fail …is this what you want

your toddler in for sliding down hill fast?

...a flipper?...

AND they are Sold Out!

Uno a Diez

2011-11-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

Clara shows promise as a tutor.

And Lucia is no Zero either...

InterSki Article on the Germans' Presentation on Movement and Learning

2011-10-31T01:32:00.000-07:00

Check out this article about a great presentation

at Interski in January, 2011 in St. Anton, AUT

Click here for the full story:

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=1PG_AlUaWu_S77UQNr6BcwHfnsM2t3WGE5fxPgCYeEKdHtqx6ruRqduwtfTen&hl=en_US

Gluten Free Recipes for a New America

2011-10-03T03:36:00.000-07:00

These are some of the GF recipes I've developed and adapted.
Try 'em, and let me know if you come up with something better!

Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Cookies

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RWqLZ1zUVsNmS9pC3VJlM5JrsREAy8SAor9aHW0T-DQ/edit?hl=en_US

GF Chewy Nutty Crispy Granola Bar Recipe

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MS2j3dZ8wEg3qAOBdf0XDDZXb9yo-vbm4jUZved6YAI/edit?hl=en_US

GF Chewy Nutty Chocolate Rice Crispy Bar Recipe

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JzrM_eUihXmW-OzsHjYDWc1TgVYqw94d-K2B30YafMg/edit?hl=en_US

GF Chewy Nutty Mocha Rice Crispy Bar Recipe

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UUCmtVxI_R_ztL5_EdHKYUz2Gxbw4ECpLI5_3fNvAKU/edit?hl=en_US

And now for something a little different!...

GF Zuchini waffles with Jack Cheese

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P9vx5t9nmCNCHEblO7NUeqrh5BL82H0BqCq7XOHHTtw/edit?hl=en_US

McGee Family trip to Midway Geyser Basin

2011-09-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

After camping for two nights at Madison Campground in the western part of the park, we headed for a long awaited visit to the Grand Prismatic Spring, Tuquoise and Opal Pools, and the Excelsior Geyser.

The sight of steam rising from the meadows in the Lower Geyser Basin was just a hit of what was ahead.

The bridge over the Firehole River

Opal Pool

Travertine and the blue backlit steam coming off of the Grand Prismatic

Having a closer look

Red from the microorganisms known as 'thermofiles'

All the colors of the rainbow

Elk prints?

Colors abound

Lucia bounds

"I'm Happy," she says.

Amazing sights

Stunning light

Dancing on the boardwalk

Listening for crickets

We also got to stop and catch Old Faithful without making a production of it.

Skiing the Stettner Couloir on June 20, 2001

2011-08-24T01:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Brendan Burns for sharing these pics of an awesome climb and descent!

You can check out my earlier report here: http://scottymcski.blogspot.com/2011/06/grand-teton-skiboard-attempt.html

And watch a slide show/video from my camera here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eahnNTOzLoo

Climbing up to the Tepee Col

Clouds above and below...

Time to layer up!

Planning the descent route from the Tepee Col...

A look up into the Stettner

Above the first crux, the couloir was filled in...

...conditions were great, with dense, but dry, powder. Climbing was easier over on the left, where the new snow was shallower with crampons holding securely on the ice.

A small snow sluff came down only this once...

Cresting the second crux

Passing the final crux and ascending into the whiteout...

...after brief deliberation, we decided to descend, rather than climb further into whiteout, thinking it might be poor form if our tracks were to get blown in and we were to lose our line on the way down.
Time for some turns!

A long skinny way down

And out by the lovely Delta Lake

Thanks Patagonia,
Rossignol, 22 Designs, Leki, Crispi,
Smith Optics, Hestra, Osprey, Swix
Ski Trax, 32 Degrees, Shred-White-and-Blue,
Bill Briggs
and PSIA/AASI!

These photos are mostly in the 3 Mb range. Please let me know if you want to use them for other purposes.
Photos by Brendan Burns

Grand Teton August 21...

2011-08-22T00:09:00.000-07:00

...with Mark and Paul, and fellow Exum Guide, Tyson Bradley, on the Owen-Spaulding route.

We had (litterally) stellar conditions: Mild temps, Light wind, and a quarter moon. We were treated to a lightning show some 40 miles to the south, but not a worry for us. Give it up for these two hardy mountaineers topping out on the Grand Teton yesterday!
Some highlights:

Paul finishes the Belly Roll, as the shadow of the Grand pops out over Idaho

Paul belays Tyson and Mark

The half moon over the Owen Chimney

The Enclosure with Grand shadows

Paul at the top of the Owen Chimney, with Mt. Moran in the background

Tyson and Mark start up the Owen Chimney with Valhalla Canyon joining Cascade Canyon far below

Mark at the crux of the Owen Chimney, with verglas showing up on all the best footholds (Doh!)

Mark, thankful for Paul's belay, at the top of the Sargent Chimney

On the way down, I caught sight of some Teton Edelweiss (actually Alpine Phlox) hiding between a skunky clump of Sky Pilot and the Black Dike itself, replete with orange lichen.

Amazing Lower Saddle Sunsets

2011-08-12T00:14:00.000-07:00

Being at 11,200 feet give you an awesome perspective from which to watch the sun go down. Here, we can see far enough that when the sun drops below the clouds, we catch the pink light shining up on the underside of the clouds, a short-lived but amazing phenomenon.
And yes, we did get rain that night.

Wendy and Marty summit via the Owen-Spalding!

2011-08-11T23:04:00.000-07:00

Early summiteers, (by 8 am) on a windy but clear day. We could see the plume from Old Faithful over Yellowstone!

Still a lot of snow on the north sides of the peaks as this photo portrays. And we got to glissade on our way down from the Lower Saddle.

A talented and strong young woman and a father with a lot to be proud of!

Cliff on the Grand Teton!

2011-08-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

It was great to run into Cliff at the top of the Grand.

Last time I saw Cliff we were skiing off the Tram (just left of his helmet in the picture) back in February.

To other climbs on other days!

Falcon Guides XC Book

2011-06-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog Followers!

I hope you’re enjoying summer, and that it’s finally arrived in your corner of the world…

I’m happy to be sharing some exciting news with you: I’ve been asked by Falcon Guides Publishing to write a book – My first book deal(!) – called Basic Illustrated Cross Country Skiing. I was contacted back in February, but only recently have things solidified enough to say it’s a sure thing. Parts are due July 1 and Sept 1, and Feb 22 is the final deadline, so the book will hit the shelves in the fall of 2012. Here's a link to the Falcon Web Site: http://www.falcon.com/

Thanks to those among you who have already offered support and encouragement. Please let me know if you're interested in reviewing, or simply pre-reading.

Thanks again! All my Best!

Scotty

Grand Teton Ski/Board Attempt

2011-06-22T23:42:00.000-07:00

Just tried to ski the Grand Teton Monday… (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eahnNTOzLoo) by way of the original first descent route, the Stettner Couloir seen here.

My partner Brendan Burns and I got through all of the cruxes, but we left the upper E. Face and the last 800 feet to the summit for another day. It was a fine adventure, and although travel was slowed by some punchy, unfrozen snow, the avalanche danger was low and the snow was soft enough to make the steep skiing altogether pleasant.

It has been a tricky spring to try to hit the conditions for this kind of route. Freezing nights have been rare due to the amount of precipitation (much of it snow) that continued to fall. According to an advisory from the Jenny Lake Rangers: "The Teton Range contains an unprecedented amount of snowpack for this time of year. Unusual conditions exist due to an unseasonably cool and wet spring following a record winter snowfall with 732 inches recorded at the Raymer plot on Rendezvous Mountain (elevation 9,300 feet)." We had some good timing relative to changing conditions, and were able to climb in relatively low hazard conditions.

Cause for Hope!

2011-05-28T22:44:00.000-07:00

Really? ...66 degrees on Wednesday!...it's gonna be a scorcher, Folks!

Overnight
-

Rain/Snow
Likely
Lo 35 °F

Sunday
-

Rain/Snow
Likely
Hi 47 °F

Sunday
Night

Rain/Snow
Likely
Lo 33 °F

Memorial
Day

Rain/Snow
Likely
Hi 44 °F

Monday
Night

Chance
Rain/Snow
Lo 31 °F

Tuesday
-

Mostly
Sunny
Hi 59 °F

Tuesday
Night

Partly
Cloudy
Lo 35 °F

Wednesday
-

Sunny

Hi 66 °F

Wednesday
Night

Partly
Cloudy
Lo 35 °F

Wish You Were Here!...

2011-05-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

The Story of our Spring:

Jackson WY

NWS Riverton, WY
Point Forecast: Jackson WY
43.49°N 110.75°W (Elev. 6327 ft)

Mobile Weather Information | En Español
Last Update: 3:30 pm MDT May 21, 2011
Forecast Valid: 11pm MDT May 21, 2011-6pm MDT May 28, 2011

Overnight

Chance
Showers
Lo 37 °F

Sunday

Chance
Showers
Hi 63 °F

Sunday
Night

Chance
Showers
Lo 39 °F

Monday

Showers
Likely
Hi 59 °F

Monday
Night

Chance
Showers
Lo 36 °F

Tuesday

Chance
Showers
Hi 55 °F

Tuesday
Night

Chance
Rain/Snow
Lo 35 °F

Wednesday

Slight Chc
Showers
Hi 60 °F

Wednesday
Night

Slight Chc
Showers
Lo 37 °F

...it'll be snowin' in the mountains!

Teton Pass to Philips Pass Skate Ski Tour video

2011-05-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

Check out this little movie I made...of an awesome tour...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN8WiU9zYVs

Kids Club in the Boulder Park at the base of Snow King

2011-05-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

This
Thursday and Friday, I'm in-town guiding for Exum taking the kids from the after school program to the new boulder park at the base of Snow King. Just in time too. The ski runs have finally melted off enough that you can no longer ski top to bottom!

Spotters ready?

"The hold my foot is on spins!"

Look for good holds...

Use your legs...

Lean out when downclimbing to look for good feet.

Hmmm...now what?

Got it!

Fun for all!

Skating around Jenny Lake on Friday 5/13

2011-05-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

Skating around the lake was great in the shade, though this lake is close to thawing. The 'ice' is actually about 6 feet of snow ON ice, with a frozen top. If you break through this time of year, it's just into slush, but disconcerting nonetheless!

Teewinot - 'many pinnacles' - with lots of wet slides. Skiing on the lake, I could hear the 'thunder' of the slides going over cliff bands, though you couldn't always tell where the avalanche was.

The Cathedral Group - Teewinot on the left, then the Grand, with its upper north face, then Owen.

Symmetry Spire and St. Johns.

Mt. Moran. See the 'waterfall' on the far left?...that's actually an avalanche in progress! The snow is still consolidating...

The Exum Mountain Guides' office

Wolf Mountain Traverse on Easter Sunday 4.24.2011

2011-05-10T00:05:00.000-07:00

I tried to get this traverse in last year, but bailed early due to warming. Only now getting around to posting it...

Three weeks ago I finally bagged it, and put up some pics with descriptions in this facebook album. Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2014565881949.125433.1177877515

N. Whitegrass to Beaver Creeks Skate Ski Tour

2011-05-05T23:19:00.000-07:00

After dropping Clara off at school, I headed for the Park and got in this cool tour.
Here's a view from the convergence of avy paths between Maverick and 25 Short, looking back at the Whitegrass Ranch meadow, there in the middle ground. It was basically my high point:

Here's the view above me, a frequented backcountry skier destination. In the distance above and beyond, that's Buck Mtn on the left and South Teton on the right.

Skiing through the woods is remarkably fun and challenging. So much so that I fell a handful of times on this tour, but no biggie, right? As I tell my girls, "What are you supposed to do when you fall down?...That's right: Laugh!" Here's a clip:

Here's another clip...I hope you can share the excitement of skiing through the woods on these skinny sticks.

All in all, it was an amazing tour forming a loop which I think will be worth repeating again...and conditions never worsened significantly. I was back at the truck by noon, and the snow was still firm enough to walk on. As I write this, I'm monitoring conditions for another light tour off of Teton Pass, but temps are hovering above freezing, and there's widespread cloud cover. I'm dubious.

Very Cool Video

2010-10-13T04:44:00.001-07:00

Time Lapse Tour of Yosemite National Park from Henry Jun Wah Lee on Vimeo.

Calling all Followers

2010-10-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

'FOLLOW' link Re-Posted.

Hi All!
I'm hoping I can encourage you to be one of my blog's 'followers.' All that means is that you get a heads up email each time I post something on this, my web-log.

Now, you may already get an email to say I've added to the blog. But that's because I manually entered your email as one to be notified with each new entry. I'm allowed to sign up ten email addresses and your are one of my lucky addressees. : )

If you become a follower, you'll get the same notificaiton - no more - and I'll be able to add different people as recipients in hopes that they'll become followers too.

Thanks for joining!
Best,
Scotty

Mount Moran and September's Iffy Weather

2010-09-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

Mount Moran climb with Matt

September 4th and 5th, Labor Day Weekend

Beautiful Weather on the way across String Lake with Mt. Moran in the background

Nearing the Hanging Ice Glacier's outlet into Leigh Lake

The West Horn and East Horn (both in shadow in front of the summit) flank the Hanging Ice Glacier on either side. Camp is below the West Horn in the highest trees left of the gully.

Storing up for Winter
A pika's midden underneath a boulder with the Grand Teton in the distance. Pikas are mountain rodents (with big ears) that store away food for the winter, and create an insulated cave for the long cold months until spring.

Leigh Canyon

The view up Leigh Canyon toward the Teton Crest. It was unbelievably windy from this vantage point some 100 yards west of camp.

Teton Shadows
Sunset shadows of the Teton Range's most prominent peaks marching across the valley floor. Mt. Moran's shadow is on the left; shadows of the Rockchuck/St. John's/Symmetry Spire group are in the center; Cathedral Group (Grand, Middle, South Tetons) shadows on the right.

Sunset on the Grand
Pink in the sunset, the Grand Teton and cloudbellies reflect the day's last light. St. John's and The Jaw in the foreground.

Morning Light
First light in the Drizzlepuss Col with the East Horn, Jackson Lake in the background. The weather was still looking iffy at this point, but it was only sunrise. It could still go either way. We forged onward!

Curtains of Rain
Morning sun's rays shine through curtains of rain along the Buffalo River. Later the same clouds were to wrap precipitation around Moran, dropping graupel, hail, and later, snow.

Rays of Hope
Ascending around Unsoeld's Needle and getting onto Moran's upper faces, with the Hanging Ice Glacier below.

The CMC Route on the upper face of Mt. Moran
After 2 bouts of graupel, distant thunder, dark clouds and wet rock turned us back. As per usual brilliant skies followed, though they were not to last. The white in the middle is a (snow) cornice from snow over the last week or two - I'm guessing it's 10 feet high - between the Black Dike (R) (a major feature on the South Face of Mt. Moran) and the top of the south face. Wind and gray skies kept us on our toes all the way home.

Big Pack/Little Pack
Matt's ability to turn a 22 liter pack into a 44 liter pack needed to be documented. Here we are along the descent gully. We made it back to the lake, crossed with the wind at our backs, setting a new personal record of 3h 15m from high camp to the car.

Wind River Reflections

2010-08-30T03:36:00.000-07:00

Christie Smith and I (Scotty McGee) set off for this southern Wind River Range smorgasbord of granite, just south of the renowned Cirque of the Towers, in search of some time in a pristine setting on stellar rock. Fulfilling a dream to find great climbing and camping was not as far-fetched as one might think...

Clear Lake Basecamp, August 25

Dinner down by the lake provided a spectacular sunset show on Haystack's west face. Steeple and East Temple Peaks over to the right.

Wolf's Head Alpine Start, August 26
After a first night at Clear Lake under 'perfect' weather conditions, we woke early catching early sun on Warbonnet on our way to Wolf's Head in the Cirque of the Towers.

Smilin' Christie at sunup on the slabs by Ford Lake

Temple and Schiestler on Ford Lake in the quiet dawn

Walking the Rocks around Ford Lake

The Cirque comes into full view with Pingora casting her shadow on Wolf's Head's summit pinnacles.

Arrowhead Lake couldn't be better named.

The Cirque's gateway falls

Wolf's Head starting ramp, 1st pitch

...just a casual climber...

...puttin' vertical behind her...

...and smilin' all the way!

The "fortuitous horizontal foot traverse"...too bad about the weather, huh?

The way home, moonlit miles to go before we sleep.

August 28, attempt on Haystack

We head up in hopes of climbing one of the northern routes on Haystack, with growing views as we climb.

View from Haystack's north shoulder of E. Temple, with Deep Lake in front

Later on, a thunderstorm. Strike on Haystack! (at 33 seconds)

Our position was away from the lake and well below the ridge with much higher points all around, making us an unlikely target for lightning.

Despite turning bluebird after each ferocious crescendo of flash and rumble, the weather seemed to turn to fall in a matter of hours and many more leaves took on the red mantle of fall. The grouseberries were still popping but the sense that snow is on the way was hard to shake. Some climbing rescue, leading and rope practice rounded out our visit to Clear Lake. So much left unclimbed, we're bound to return.

Scott McGee coaches the PSIA Nordic Team (USA) and manages programs for Jackson Hole Mountain Sports School in Wyoming. Scott spends his summers guiding climbs in the Tetons (and other ranges) for Exum Mountain Guides.

Grand Teton with Craig, Chris and Paul

2010-08-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

This amazing crew of three topped out on the Grand Teton at 9:35 yesterday morning. We had climbed together in Exum Mountain Guides' Multi-pitch I school, and they climbed with guide Mike Abbey for their MP II day. Without a day off in between, they set off for the Grand Teton Sunday morning with a promising forecast and a bright attitude.

Wild flowers were in full force here at the Petzoldt Caves. All smiles all the way!

Amazing sunsets over Idaho, as always...

After a 4:45 start and a walk in the dark....The Shadow of the Grand on the air!

...and dawn's early light on the Enclosure

Still smiles about the wind, weather and conditions at the start of the Owen Spalding Route.

Embarking on the Owen Spaulding Rout, we encountered a dry Belly Roll Pitch, while the crawl had islands of dry rock amid a lake of clear ice. Rockhopping with the abyss of the Black Ice couloir below at the head of the sweeping Valhalla Canyon, got your attention to say the least. The snow in the Double Chimneys was a surprise, which kept us stepping carefully to keep shoe rubber dry. Stemming and a few key chipped off holds got us up to the verglas in the last 15 feet of the Owen Chimney.

The rest was a cruise and after Jim Williams' Exum party departed, we enjoyed the windless summit to ourselves and stunning views of ID, WY and MT and the Greater Yellowstone ranges.An amazing summit day was had and everyone performed at a top level - no falls, no injuries; we overcame the unexpected and relished in the gifts of the day. Not even rain marred the amazing weather, though we did get some awesome lightning, thunder and a big, thick rainbow.

Rainier 2010 - Ultimate Software

2010-08-09T01:03:00.000-07:00

The stalwart team of Ultimate Software leaders met in Seattle on July 30 for an attempt on Rainier. We had a great group and a great time, and though the summit eluded us, we reached our own high point and bring home great memories and new ways of working together, inspiring and supporting each other, and pushing individual and group limits to foster teamwork and leadership.

Snow School 101 here we come!

Helping hands are everywhere!

Tight is right!...helping each other succeed.

Walking down is important!...crampon technique is key.

Camp Schurman and the Emmons Glacier route - look for the line going straight up above the camp, that turns left between crevasses to reach 'The Corridor.' From there, as our summit team will attest, the route goes straight up on poorly established steps, until finally cutting right and easing off to reach the saddle between Liberty Cap (R) and the summit proper (L).

The view back toward the trailhead from the top of Steamboat Prow above Camp Schurman. the distant lake in the middle of the White River drainage is about a mile shy of the trailhead. Thank goodness for the Inter Glacier glissade!

Dawn comes in spectacularly!

Check out the red light reflecting off of the glare ice on the lower glacier - a rare sight!

Reaching our summit...7 am.

Bound for SeaTac and home again!

The Rawlings on Cody Peak

2010-07-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

Sam and Michelle climbed Cody Peak on Monday with me (via Exum)...Check out this clip of ridge running on the loose rock trail! And here's Sam...

North Face of Buck Mountain, West Couloir July 7, 2010

2010-07-09T01:56:00.000-07:00

Tim Brown and I set out to climb the North Face of Buck Mountain, West Couloir. An early start of 4:30 a.m. soon yielded to dawning skies. A rugged 'shwack up Avalanche Canyon brought us to our first good view of the North Face. Our route: the gully/couloir to the right of the ridge which leads up to the snowy summit, by way of the snowy bench below the north face.

See if you can find Tim here, leading up the first pitch...look toward the top of the visible snow.

Tim and the rope disappear around the corner...

From the next belay, Tim shoots up the steep neve to a snow ledge he chopped out of the couloir.

From the top of pitch 5 an amazing view of the central Tetons unfolds.

Pitch 6 runs up steep to steeper snow. The gully narrows and the summit ridge grows nearer.

On pitch 7, Tim leads out to peer around the corner, setting a picket here before heading up toward the ice bulge ahead.

Here, Tim is about to top out on the ridge, where steep scrambling on exposed ridge carries us up toward the summit.

Tim on top...with the Grand Teton in the background. South Ridge of South Teton - a ski descent - is the hanging snowfield behind his head. Awesome weather all day was a blessing.

A last look at our route and the north face of Buck in afternoon light. The West Couloir is the second couloir to the right of what looks like the main summit ridge. The north central buttress/ridge is actually the one with snow toward the top.

Here's a view of Buck and the route. The West Couloir is the right hand long, thin white line that runs up just to the right of the summit. This photo was taken a week prior during Exum's guide training days, from Nez Perce by Christian Santelices, a Senior Guide at Exum.

Garnet Canyon and the Mist

2010-06-10T02:39:00.000-07:00

A break in the weather at dusk

Garnet Meadows Cave Camp

2010-06-10T01:33:00.000-07:00

John Skelly and I headed up into the rain to see what the mountains might bring. They brought more rain. But the overhang left by a glacial convergence gave us shelter and a place for undamp spirits.

John under the roof

Deep holes being carved by dripping or pouring water.

The Cave with Disappointment in the background.
Dripping water filled out bottles in no time.

Skiing in the Rain...I'm skiing in the rain!

Wolf Mountain Skate Ski Traverse

2010-05-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a little route that I've always wanted to do, having seen it from the highway south of Hoback, and now that I've been on the route, realize how prominent it is from many places right around town and in the valley of Jackson Hole.

Wolf Mountain is home turf to the area's only heli ski operation, and for good reason. Access is fairly long, though not unreasonable. I started out at 5:15 a.m. on May 16 from the East Table trailhead in the Snake River Canyon, giving me established trail for about the first 3 miles. From the head of the drainage, the snow cover was plentiful, although occasionally punchy. I followed a ridge climbing gradually to the west, and then steeply up to the flatter portion of the Wolf Mtn's south ridge, visible here from the highway at Astoria, and along which I was hoping to skate ski to the summit of Wolf Mountain, on the right.I topped out on the left (south) end of the ridge visible above to be greeted by stellar views of Jackson Hole and the Teton Range. The Grand is front and center below. It was at this point that I donned my skis, and the crust was as expected firm and supportable. Although calm at clear at 7:45 doesn't sound that warm, the window of opportunity to get up, down and out was limited. Last thing I wanted was to be post holing through rotten, unskiable snow for the few miles back to the highway.And here is the view to the south, of the Wyoming Range, east of Alpine and Afton, WY. My skate ski track is barely visible in the foreground. Now for the fun part. I was able to cruise one of the two miles of ridgeline, mostly skirting under cornices on softening corn to this point. Checking the time and temperature, I made the decision that after all the climbing and miles of approach, this was a summit better left for another day. I had already experienced punchy snow, and knew that good snow now would be crap later. I skied a bit further down the ridge and then dropped in.
A few big GS turns down the east face of the ridge here in perfect corn were perhaps the highlight of the tour. I traversed the upper east bowl to get in the Cabin Creek drainage that was also home to a trail, which I found after some very interesting scrapping through the trees and multiple crossings of the rushing stream on suspect snow bridges.
The hike out was fine if a bit muddy in places and punchy in others, and the hitch back to my starting point, went...with(out) a hitch ; ), and I was home before noon.

2010-05-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

My New Stand Up Paddling Board?...resurrected from the back yard.

Checking out my new camera - a waterproof, drop-proof, freeze-proof Olympus Stylus Tough 3000. How about my self-portrait skills?

I went to buy it on BH Photo and the price went down (!) right before I went to make the purchase online. Yes!

Targhee to Jenny Lake

2009-05-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

Targhee to Jenny Lake

Awesome Skate Ski Mountaineering Tour, completed 090522 in 7 hours flat. 13.3 miles. Near-perfect corn conditions prevailed, including smooth(ish) snow, mostly suncup free, that did not get punchy with sun-warming. Perhaps most remarkable of all is that snow cover allowed skiing all the way to below Hidden Falls, 1/4 mile from the boat dock. Git out there!...it's not too late!

Sunrise from Mary's Nipple

Backside of Targhee

Grand Teton and North Teton Canyon from Mary's

South Teton Canyon

Ridge leading toward the Teton Crest from Targhee

Beard's Wheatfield

Pillow cornice I cut below to get out onto the slope. I traversed solid corn all the way to the next ridge line...

On the way to South Leigh Lakes - great skating up here....
North Teton Canyon headwall - one of them anyway...

Sun-glaze on the snow. Great, smooth, edge-able corn...

Teton Crest Cornice

Peterson Glacier area, looking into Cascade Canyon from the crest

Maidenform Peak and the Teton Crest

Mt. Moran

The Skate Ski Mountaineering quiver

The summit ridge to the un-named peak 10,855...

The gully from the top of 10,855. Can you see the tracks? A first descent? This remote peak is a long way to come with heavy gear, and a lot of flat skiing to get back from, making light gear in the right conditions a prime choice....

Here's the photo that inspired this route. It's been my desktop wall paper since I took it in June from the top of the Enclosure a few years back. You can see the hanging basin with the two lakes and the steep, slabby rock - now snow covered - leading down into Cascade Canyon.

Near-perfect corn and 2000 feet to go!

Be sure to turn right before the cliff-band!

...and cut over to more primo corn...

...ski the slalom trees...

...to an awesome snow-bridge...

...and an awesome view of 'little Yosemite.'

Three miles later, the snowpack is still thick by the rushing waters of Cascade Canyon.

Made it!...7 hours after leaving Targhee.

2009-05-05T01:21:00.000-07:00

Skied the King again today...

It was a beautiful evening as a classic cool spring day bounced back from nearly raining to mostly sunny. I lucked out, getting Lucia, our 8 month old to sleep by 6:37 pm. I won a ro-cham-bo, and was off after taking out the trash. I packed up my camelbak with a pair of 80 cm Big Foot skis and tightened the laces on my Raichle Degree 7 Pro mountain boots, and took off for the top, encountering a dozen other skiers, half of who are friends.

Again today, 45 minutes to the top and a raucous run down in sometimes punchy snow. It was good fun, until I got home, heard two crying whimpery voices, and realized my wife had been trying to reach me. The cell phone, in my hoody pocket, was inaudible and its vibrations unfelt. That's because I was pushing my heartrate to 90% for training, but also so I could get back home in a shorter time. May the history books go easy on me.

Spring Rain

2009-05-03T21:38:00.000-07:00

May Ushers in Rain...
A long, late snow season, without terribly warm weather became perfect storm for April corn, and skate ski crust cruising galore...until now that is. R&#, the four letter R-word, and 40 degree temps are turning our snow out for the season...or turning it in...to something else.

A warm trend around mid-late March was JH's only big heat wave until we got nearly a few spells of clear weather in April that yielded good and lasting corn which seemed best on the fringes. To wit, one of my best skates ever in the south end of JH was on the east side of the Snake, going north along the dike on April 6. Four days later, the ground was all but bare. It was that thin and rotten from a long winter, but had a shell that lasted a day.

May showers don't bring June corn, so let's hope for the best. Tonight's rain in Jackson was still snow halfway up Snow King. That was 8pm at 40 degrees. Now it's 11:30 and 38 degrees under clear skies...on track to freeze. So spring hopes eternally, or is that hope springs eternal?...that we'll be back out on the crust before long.

Early Fall chapter Closing

2008-10-17T00:38:00.001-07:00

It's after midnight on the 17th of October and life is good. Very busy here with Lucia learning to sleep, her sister Clara getting used to sharing the spotlight and Diane figuring out how to deal with all three of us at once.

I've been working for the Mountain Sports School 2 days a week preparing for season kickoff, permit maintenance, and anticipating changes in a few of our operations. There's a bit of skepticism about what kind of a year it will be economically, but most agree: It will snow. If it's early and big, we can kick off the new Tram in style, but that's a wait and see kinda thing.

I've also been immersed in a number of PSIA initiatives, which has captivated my every spare moment, and then some. After, of course, that is, doing all kinds of things around the house. My favorite: watching TV and folding the clothes rivals cleaning up the kitchen and making cookies with Clara.

Clara goes to swim class and dance class and she's in day care/pre-school the other days, shifting to more days at the Kids Ranch at Teton Village which works well with my work days. I'm looking forward to the bus stops and crowded rides, along with watching her learn to ski.

Now, I'm on the cusp of leaving for Team Training at Copper Mountain, and our annual pre-training starting in the Fruita, CO area for some rollerskiing, dune skiing, StandUp Paddling, maybe even real skiing, and camping. Working with the new team over the next four years promises to be an amazing experience and I've got a feeling we're gonna get a lot done.

That's the news from our corner of the Tetons. Hope to see you in the valley...or in the mountains this winter!

food for thought...

2008-10-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

Daily Stat: October 8, 2008 A Climate-Friendly Diet
The United Nations has called on developed nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The production of food in developed countries accounts for a significant portion of their greenhouse gases -- an estimated 30% of the EU's total emissions -- and studies in the UK and the Netherlands show that the meat and dairy industries account for more than 50% of food-related emissions. A recent report by the UK-based Food Climate Research Network urges developed nations to reduce meat and dairy consumption by a drastic 70% so that global production remains stable as the world population increases. Here's what that would mean for an average Briton:

SOURCES:
The Guardian (UK), September 30, 2008

Cooking Up a Storm summary, Food Climate Research Network, September 2008

From the Harvard Business Review e-publications

Telemark Stance article - Narrow or Wide? - Find your Stance

2008-10-05T00:02:00.000-07:00

Narrow-Minded or Wide Load?

Choose your stance width for the situation you’re in!

By J. Scott McGee

Starting your season with a focus on stance is always a good idea. And stance width may be something you’ve thought little about, but mastering its application in different situations can help you be a more stable and balanced skier.

The narrower stance (Left) is great for bumps and crud, where narrow troughs provide limited space. A wider stance in bumps might put the two skis on uneven ground, upsetting balance. In powder and crud the narrow stance lets the lead ski ‘break trail’ for the trailing ski, reducing the chance that it gets thrown around. In a wider stance the equal weighting required in powder is harder to achieve.

A wider stance like the one on the right widens your base of support, which increases lateral stability, and is especially useful on ice, or when carving, and as a drill to increase balance and range of motion. On hard snow and ice, width = stability, whereas a narrower tele stance can be a bit like walking a tightrope.

Carvers like tip their skis up, however in a narrow stance, ankles and shins get in the way and legs and skis may touch. Instead, use your inside ski to active manage lateral balance and to propel yourself into the next turn.

Wide stance drill:

Play with narrow and especially with wider stances to develop your set of options. Experiment in different terrain and conditions. Since most tele’er end up skiing too narrow most of the time, practice skiing wide a lot. Develop the edging and steering of the trail foot along with your ability to balance in the wider stance. You’ll have more options when the going gets tricky. Have fun!

J. Scott McGee works as Jackson Hole Mountain Sports School’s Sr. Manager for Nordic, Training and Guides in Wyoming. A former Telemark competitor, he now dreams of perfect corn on spring backcountry skate ski tours. Scott spends his summers guiding climbs in the Tetons for Exum Mountain Guides.

(reprinted from Ski Trax Issue Fall Issue '08)

First Blog

2008-09-28T02:29:00.000-07:00

Hi and welcome to my Blog...just created and devoid of content. Hopefully soon I'll have more for you to enjoy.
Best,
Scotty