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Month: August 2018

Mt. Adams Traverse

Mt. Adams Traverse

Posted on August 18, 2018October 22, 2020 by kyle

30 miles up, over, and around the big volcano of southern Washington.

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Sawtooth Alpine Rock Climbing

Sawtooth Alpine Rock Climbing

Posted on August 14, 2018October 22, 2020 by kyle

Quality, remote alpine rock climbing of Warbonnet and Elephant’s Perch in the Idaho Sawtooth Mountains.

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Alice-Toxaway Loop

Alice-Toxaway Loop

Posted on August 13, 2018October 22, 2020 by kyle

A prime 20 mile loop past alpine lakes and peaks in the stunning Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho.

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Borah Peak

Borah Peak

Posted on August 12, 2018October 22, 2020 by kyle

A quick hike up to the highest point in Idaho.

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Pioneer Cabin

Pioneer Cabin

Posted on August 11, 2018October 22, 2020 by kyle

An easy hike up to an incredible viewpoint in the Pioneer Mountains of Idaho.

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Thompson and Merrit Peak

Thompson and Merrit Peak

Posted on August 10, 2018October 22, 2020 by kyle

Simple peakbagging, introducing myself to the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho.

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Grand Teton, Complete Exum (5.7)

Grand Teton, Complete Exum (5.7)

Posted on August 6, 2018October 22, 2020 by kyle

An unfortunate fall on this classic route up the Grand Teton. Not the experience we wanted, but that is how it goes sometimes.

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Cirque of Towers

Cirque of Towers

Posted on August 2, 2018October 22, 2020 by kyle

5 days, 4 routes in the best alpine rock climbing venue in the lower 48, the Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River Range.

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When seasons collide.
Mt Tom is a beacon of the Eastern Sierra. It looms nearly 10,000 ft above bishop. There are no fewer than four classic ski lines on the south and east sides. But with a hot forecast, we figured why not go for the mysterious west side to buy us some time? We found an incredible 4,000 ft of wandering gullies and couloirs, a hidden classic of its own. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip!
During our time in the Sierra, we skied a 5 mile long descent from Bolton Brown down through the headwaters of the Kings river. From above it looked improbable - improbably flat! Most of it was just barely steep enough to sustain gliding and a few wiggles. It wasn't thrilling in the typical sense downhill skiing is, but it was certainly beautiful and mesmerizing in the scale of the terrain we were covering.
On our way back from the Sierra, @heinelogan and I took a day to sample the southern cascades, skiing Shasta and sight seeing at crater lake. Shasta exceeded expectations: great access, quality lines on each aspect, and surprisingly good nearby mountains. Crater lake felt a lot like the grand canyon: you've seen pictures of it your whole life but it still takes your breath away. Coupled with the appropriate chapters of #fireandice : geology of the cascade volcanoes, and it felt like the perfect blend of geologic ski tourism!
It's been a fun 10 days down here in the Eastern Sierra with @heinelogan @johnkimthehuman and @shiroiwa_yagi . It felt like we saw a little bit of each part of the range, skied a variety of different features (although technically I didn't ski a single couloir in a range stacked with them), and also got to meet up with a bunch of other friends. We got after it but also never pushed it too hard. This place certainly serves up some awesome scenery, adventure, and skiing. The "range of corn" finally lived up to its name this time 🌽. What a special range!
It's been a fun first few days in the Sierra! While conditions are by no means splitter, I've already skied more corn on this trip than in 8 days here last spring! We've been taking it easier, easing into the altitude, and gawking at the historic snowpack. It looks like we have a few days to go big before the ⛈️ ❄️ arrives. It's easy to have crazy high expectations with such excitement around a big snow year, but I am trying to enjoy the ups and downs and take what we get.

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