Scotty McGee

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Wendy and Marty summit via the Owen-Spalding!

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!

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!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Falcon Guides XC Book

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

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Grand Teton Ski/Board Attempt

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.