4 women, 6 dogs, a blue bird day and live music

lest anyone fear that the house (or the women) felt left out while the guys were having a fabulous back country experience.....

hiking, skiing and good live music to boot!

Ski Update and a few words about the project

The project first.  Not much going on other than occasional use.  We decided that since it is basically usable and legal to do so, we will hold off on putting additional money into it at this time.  We, like a lot of people are not exactly comfortable with the economy.   So we'll just continue working the real jobs, spending some r & r time here and work on it as I can with what materials we already have on hand.  Of course recreation gets priority over project work.  Shoulder seasons will be the prime project work time, you see.  Spring or mud season is about the only time I foresee that happening. 
So on with some of the winter fun, such as skiing photos.

The Crew.  We made our annual trek into Big Creek a couple of weeks ago.  It's a haul, but this year we were able to ski some slopes and slots that we have been eyeballing for the past three years.  It made the 2 days of transport worth it. 

We want to ski that shadow line right up there under the cornice.  See, right between the trees, center of photo.

And we'll ski that bowl up there, yes, yes, this is looking good.

Heading up.  Just another nice day for a walk.  Sun is out, air temp is great for the snow.  Pack full of water and food, yep, hard to beat it.  Oh, did I mention that there are no crowds.  4 people, counting myself and thousands of acres just waiting on us to take our pick.  Can't imagine why we do this. ;)

Ski Tracks.

Yes mission accomplished!  Tracks in the slot under the cornice.  Oh man was it ever fun!

Icicles on the tree, real ones.  First time I noticed them in the years of playing around, or I just forgot.  Who knows.  Would make a cool christmas tree ala natural.

Another day, another mountain to climb, another adventure.  Here we go headed to the top of Eldridge.  Wind was doing about 50 on top, so not much basking in the sun once we got there.

One of a million views.

The last day of adventuresome climbing, touring and some survival skiing.   No shots of the sking from me on this day.  Breakable crust, heavy pow at best and rock firm were the conditions, oh and wind blasted.  No complaints.  We had some of the finest snow and conditions ever on the first day.

So, way down there in the bottom is our starting point for this last day of adventure.

One of our ups on day one.

Really happy this is not our transportation.  Our snowmos work just fine, thank you.

It was a loooong day.

Thanks for leaving a little Jack Marianne.  I'm sure it's the bottle we left last summer.  :)

After a few loooooong days, nothing like the wood fired hot tub and a nip of Uncle Jack.

More stories to tell if I get to it.  This trip had a lot of fun and as one person phrased it maybe a stupeventure in it as well.  Sleds can be challenging or maybe just the guy trying to ride it.

see ya.

SP

Random Winter Fun

Last weekend first. 
I had the pleasure of guiding the wife and a couple of her friends on a hike along the Snake River Saturday. Well maybe guided is a bit much, as anyone can walk upriver and stumble upon virtually everything we have seen.
This is not far from where I grew up and not too long of a drive from the current residence. Celebration Park is more or less our starting point.  Wonder where they came up with that name?  The Railroad ran down this direction about a hundred years ago and the old bridge crossing the Snake is still there. Guffey bridge is the name I believe.  Although it is now a foot bridge.  Of course we refered to it as the railroad bridge. 
Onward, our objective was to find the intact stone house that I have seen numerous times while floating this strectch of river. 

Someone has told me that there are close to 40 stone foundations scattered along this stretch of the river.  We did see several without much effort.

Echo on patrol, waiting paitiently for me to come down the hill to the rest of the group.

The good old Snake River.

The crew, more dogs than people of course, all in front of the house.  Had to be a tad cool even with a door and windows, don't you think?  I suppose the rock will hold heat for a while after the fire went out.  Not sure I want to try it , but then if the rent is free and you don't need much it would work. 

And now we go back to what I truly like about winter, SNOW and skiing.

But first there are the views that keep me coming back for 16 hour days of recreating. 

Click on any of the photos to make them larger for your viewing pleasure.   :)

My friend Steve having a look at the scenery as well as where we'd like to ski next.

Ski tracks  :)

Yes you will have to click on the photo below to see the man on skis.  Eric S. doing the honors.

I've not had the camera with me much this winter so not a lot of shots.  Working on that.  Later I'll try to add some video.  But for now that's all.

Steve