A little pre-pow "falconry"
Dude was straight chilling on my helmet. Get off my helmet bro!
Until next time guy.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Whiskeyjacks
While waiting for the Seventh Heaven chair to open Monday, these guys paid a visit.
A little pre-pow "falconry"
Dude was straight chilling on my helmet. Get off my helmet bro!
Until next time guy.
A little pre-pow "falconry"
Dude was straight chilling on my helmet. Get off my helmet bro!
Until next time guy.
Monk McQueens, Vancouver
Komo Gway, Chef Creek, Satori, Fanny Bay
Monks has a great terrace overlooking the bay, but unfortunately it was cold and raining so we enjoyed these suckers inside. Didn't seem to mind about the weather because it just meant more snow in the mountains. I could still taste them on the drive up to Whistler.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Day 4
Finally a sunny day and two inches of new snow.
Scenic pics:
Scenic pics:
Sublet lift
Goal post cliff
Alta Zero chute
Cody Peak in the clouds
The crew before hitting Casper Bowl: Tom, Ben, Cody, Teddi
Teddi getting some fresh turns
Scoping our line. Looks good to me
Casper Bowl
Day 3
Seven triggered slides yesterday - one in Granite Canyon. Looks like we're spending today inbounds.
Woke up to JH reporting 4 inches overnight, which means at least 8 at higher elevations given the resort's tendency to low ball. We got second tram of the morning and watched the sun break out providing excellent visibility. We went straight to Corbet's Couloir. With all the snow this season, the cornice is huge - 40 ft at the highest point - and below, a 45 degree pitch. I pass on the chance of sending the center of the cornice and decide to take the easy entrance, which is a side step on skier's left into a jump turn.
Tried to add some music to the footage but got a copyright violation notice and couldn't embed the clip. YouTube IDIOTS!!!
After Corbet's we hit the Crags, our go to spot this week.
Woke up to JH reporting 4 inches overnight, which means at least 8 at higher elevations given the resort's tendency to low ball. We got second tram of the morning and watched the sun break out providing excellent visibility. We went straight to Corbet's Couloir. With all the snow this season, the cornice is huge - 40 ft at the highest point - and below, a 45 degree pitch. I pass on the chance of sending the center of the cornice and decide to take the easy entrance, which is a side step on skier's left into a jump turn.
Tried to add some music to the footage but got a copyright violation notice and couldn't embed the clip. YouTube IDIOTS!!!
After Corbet's we hit the Crags, our go to spot this week.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Day 2
Another overcast morning and JH reporting only 2 inches overnight. We showed up to the village around 8:30 and saw about 10 people in the line for the tram.
We head straight for the Crags. It was untouched and seemed deep for only 2 inches.
Despite the low visibility and flat light, we decided to ski backcountry for the rest of the morning. We had a big crew of 8, so we split up in two groups of 4 and headed to Granite Canyon, which is accessed from the top of the headwall, basically the backside of the Crags area we were skiing earlier. We had two local bros guiding the way, and a big thanks to Johnny for letting me borrow his safety gear (beacon, shovel, and probe). What we came across was unbelievable - untouched chutes and couloirs, 30-40 degrees in pitch. The pictures do not do it justice, you can get a better sense from Tom's POV video.
After about 1200ft of fresh vert we reached the traverse back to the base and soon realized why this terrain remains untouched. It took about an hour.
First box!
We head straight for the Crags. It was untouched and seemed deep for only 2 inches.
POV footage of our first run
Despite the low visibility and flat light, we decided to ski backcountry for the rest of the morning. We had a big crew of 8, so we split up in two groups of 4 and headed to Granite Canyon, which is accessed from the top of the headwall, basically the backside of the Crags area we were skiing earlier. We had two local bros guiding the way, and a big thanks to Johnny for letting me borrow his safety gear (beacon, shovel, and probe). What we came across was unbelievable - untouched chutes and couloirs, 30-40 degrees in pitch. The pictures do not do it justice, you can get a better sense from Tom's POV video.
After about 1200ft of fresh vert we reached the traverse back to the base and soon realized why this terrain remains untouched. It took about an hour.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Jackson Hole: day 1
Woke up Wednesday to overcast skies. Driving up to the village we had low expectations - 10 inches and high winds on Tuesday resulted in windloaded, unstable snowpack, and with the avalanche danger on high we decided to spend the day inbounds. We anticipated flat light and low visibility but were pleasantly surprised on the first run when we saw 6 inches of fresh snow up top and a break in the clouds.
We got giddy riding up Thunder chair. Too many cliffs, too little time.
Third run of the day, we decided to stop pussy footing around and start sending our shit. The landing of Nightmare cliff under Sublet chair looked soft.
Tom looking nice
Hey Tom - maybe it's not a good idea to pee into the wind.
Crags were untouched. One of the best runs I've had.
Tom getting some
Crags were so good we decided to hike up again after our lunch break. More fresh turns at about 1:30.
Tom and Rob - all smiles after run 1
We got giddy riding up Thunder chair. Too many cliffs, too little time.
Third run of the day, we decided to stop pussy footing around and start sending our shit. The landing of Nightmare cliff under Sublet chair looked soft.
Guinea pig
I ate shit.
Rob stomped it.
Tom looking nice
We lapped Sublet a couple times and enjoyed some unreal turns. At about 11 am we decided it was time to hike for some untouched lines in the Crags. On our traverse over to the boot pack we got a nice view of the infamous Corbet's Couloir. This will have to wait till tomorrow.
Time to hike
Hey Tom - maybe it's not a good idea to pee into the wind.
Crags were untouched. One of the best runs I've had.
Can you find Johnny?
Tom getting some
After the hike and deep snow, it was time for lunch. Obligatory PBR.
Crags were so good we decided to hike up again after our lunch break. More fresh turns at about 1:30.
Plan tomorrow is for some backcountry action depending on the snowpack. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Apres-ski
I have to admit, the best part about skiing in Vermont is stopping at the Country Deli in Brattleboro on the way back. Sure it's fun to rip on Massholes in jeans, starter jacket, and rear entry boots while waiting in a 30 min lift line to straight line a groomer that resembles a skating rink, but it honestly doesn't compare to these sandwiches. This is by far the best deli I've been to, and that's not the ski appetite talking.
A few things I've had in the past but will have to wait till the next visit:
The result: turkey, VT cheddar, bacon, avocado, sprouts, honey mustard on a roll.
A few things I've had in the past but will have to wait till the next visit:
Sesame chicken
Maple barbeque pulled pork
I decided on a side of mac and cheese to start:
And then put the sandwich artists to work:
Friday, February 18, 2011
Review: Exit Through the Gift Shop
If you have to see one documentary this year, see Restrepo. If you have to see two, see Restrepo and Banksy's Exit Through the Gift Shop. Who is Banksy? I don't know - no one knows - and that's exactly the appeal. Banksy's specialty is graffiti, or street art, and his work is illegal, controversial, and provocative, often with a political message. Here are some examples:
My favorites are his works on the West Bank barrier:
Surprisingly enough, the subject of Gift Shop is not Banksy but the man behind the camera, Thierry Guetta, an amateur film maker who spent decades filming graffiti artists. A minor detail he fails to tell these guys is he has no idea how to put a film together. Banksy realizes the value of the thousands of hours of footage, so he decides to make the movie himself, sending Guetta off to try his own graffiti. Well to everyone's surprise, Guetta hits it big and gains a lot of notoriety - whether it's due to the art itself or the fact he managed to get in when the trend was peaking is left for the audience to decide. All we know is Guetta was launched into the scene and in the matter of months managed to cash out big time.
Some hilarious quotes:
Thierry Guetta: I don't know how to play chess, but to me, life is like a game of chess.
Banksy: Warhol repeated iconic images until they became meaningless, but there was still something iconic about them. Thierry really makes them meaningless.
Thierry Guetta: That's why I call myself Mr. Brainwash. It's because everything that I do... somewhere... it brainwash your face!
Steve Lazarides: I think the joke is on... I don't know who the joke's on - really. I don't even know if there is a joke.
I would say the joke is on us.
My favorites are his works on the West Bank barrier:
Surprisingly enough, the subject of Gift Shop is not Banksy but the man behind the camera, Thierry Guetta, an amateur film maker who spent decades filming graffiti artists. A minor detail he fails to tell these guys is he has no idea how to put a film together. Banksy realizes the value of the thousands of hours of footage, so he decides to make the movie himself, sending Guetta off to try his own graffiti. Well to everyone's surprise, Guetta hits it big and gains a lot of notoriety - whether it's due to the art itself or the fact he managed to get in when the trend was peaking is left for the audience to decide. All we know is Guetta was launched into the scene and in the matter of months managed to cash out big time.
Some hilarious quotes:
Thierry Guetta: I don't know how to play chess, but to me, life is like a game of chess.
Banksy: Warhol repeated iconic images until they became meaningless, but there was still something iconic about them. Thierry really makes them meaningless.
Thierry Guetta: That's why I call myself Mr. Brainwash. It's because everything that I do... somewhere... it brainwash your face!
Steve Lazarides: I think the joke is on... I don't know who the joke's on - really. I don't even know if there is a joke.
I would say the joke is on us.
My recent burger diet
Sunday: Royale
First time at this great East Village spot. Want to try Brindle Room too, heard good things, although it kind of pisses me off they don't serve burgers on the weekend.
Tuesday: Stumble Inn
The famous All American infused with American cheese and bacon. Another sandwich breakthrough! President Obama, you want to see innovation? Open your eyes brew! It's all around us - first people are putting coleslaw into sandwiches, now there's ground beef infusion?!? You want your burger medium with a pink center? How about medium with a delicious center of cheesy bacon? And don't get me started on the tater tots.
Wednesday: Wharf
No pics of the burger - this is their back patio they keep open year round. Big fan of this place, especially for games. Food is good for the price, solid wings, excellent waffle fries, and the burgers are 8 bucks. They also have $3 draft specials - Wednesday happened to be Blue Point Toasted Lager. Yes please! If only Georgetown had beat Uconn...
Thursday: Molly's
Is this getting gross yet? This thing is a 10 oz. beast. Fries are excellent but I barely had enough room to try them. I think they had the best pint of Guinness I've tried in the city, too.
If only I were around this weekend to continue the streak. Shake Shack, Corner Bistro (my favorite burger spot), and of course Five Guys, which requires a quick shower after. Unfortunately I think I'm going healthy and having pizza tonight.
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