October Skiing 10/29

I finally made it up to Alta to check out the new snow. The snow fell last weekend (10/25?), so by Friday it wasn't quite as good as I'm sure it was earlier in the week. Some snow makes you feel like a superstar and some makes you feel like you hardly know how to ski. The conditions were more like the latter than the former.

My intention was just to get out and skin a little bit, and just be out. My friend Tanner joined me for his first ever tour. We skied main baldy chute in pretty good conditions although it was all tracked out and some bumps were starting to form. Despite the early season conditions and marginal sun-baked snow, I think the hook is firmly set in him.

I'm still waiting to get my new boots and bindings. Who knows why a ski company doens't have all their product shipped by 10/1. ETA is mid-November.

Last week I ran about just over 40 miles with about 7-8k of vert and was able to get a few turns in too. Nothing too crazy. I'm starting to feel a little bit of fitness for the upcoming winter. I have 4 or maybe 5 races circled this winter. We'll see how it goes.

Superior at sunrise.



Tanner above snowbird looking down canyon.




Main Baldy entrance.

Coverage was better than I thought it would be.

Doldrums

still waiting.


Happier times.

I love the fall. It would be absolutely fine with me if the seasons were fall, winter, fall, winter, etc. Bypassing summer and spring. I've been logging some miles both trail running and trail riding to build some strength and endurance for winter.

In the past, the fall has been spent bouldering and sending routes. I haven't done any of that this year unfortunately. Other than at the Front, but that doesn't count.

You see, I've thrown a bunch of money down for light ski stuff to see what I can do at some rando races this winter. I feel a little like Nacho Libre. "Precious Father, why have you given me this desire to race and then made me such a stinky warrior?" I'm not expecting to be competitive in the races per se, I just want to see what I can do personally. Race against myself if you will. I'm not even that great of a skier, so why is it that every time I go run (BTW, when I run, my brain turns off. Simple arithmetic becomes difficult)I think of the new carbon boots or the 140 gram bindings that I'll have this winter? It's kind of retarded.

So, right now is the doldrums for me. I'm ready to start skiing. I'm still having fun running. As far as climbing goes, a few sport routes here and there are all I can muster. But let's get on with it already. Where's the snow?