Hard to believe it has been over 6 weeks since I stepped off my bike at nationals and have only been on a bike 3 times since then. Don't worry, I haven't just been couch surfing. I did take almost 2 weeks off from total activity, but I only made it about 12 days before I had to hop on skis. And I haven't stopped yet. It has been a non-stop flurry of playing in the snow. Nordic skiing, both classic & skate, backcountry skiing and a few days of using the lift. I had 3 elongated cabin weekends with good friends. Great dinners, wine and socializing with lots of miles on the snow. We even snuck in a company new years party in one friday night. And the River City Bicycles ski day. Then off to ski with a friend on vacation visiting from Illinois followed by our annual Wallowas backcountry ski trip. BUSY! BUSY! BUSY! Here is a mostly photo recap of it all!
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| The cabin was never empty! |
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| Look Ma, no helmets! |
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| Our new backcountry pals: the Fords! |
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| Stone shelter on Cooper Spur in the howling wind. |
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| Old friends joined us to play. Carol Williard returns! |
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We had guests big and small.
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| Wendy and the dogs on one of our epic XC ski outings. |
When our friend Mike Hills arrived from Illinois on February 10th, I had to join him on his 'ski safari' prior to our annual Wallowas backcountry yurt trip. Mike arrived Friday afternoon and we b-lined up to Whistler, staying a couple of nights with my friend Shannon Smith. The weather was too socked in to navigate the backcountry, so one day of lift serve for me and then I just hung out. Paying $100 to ski when you can't see is not my thing.
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| Shannon & me. |
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| At least we skied great terrain even if we couldn't see. |
Sunday evening we drove down to Bellingham and then spent Monday in the backcountry near Mt. Baker.
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| Life is good. Hair is bad. |
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| Mike with Shuksan in background. |
Then to Buckley to stay with the Weymillers before an epic day in the backcountry at Crystal.
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| Snowtastic!!! |
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| Crystal Backcountry. Great last run of the day. |
Then I made it home to have a Thai Valentine's dinner waiting for us on Tuesday. Then Wednesday it was off to the Wallowas. 4 days of epic adventures in the Norway Basin. Amazing snow. Great weather.
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| Our bunk for 3 nights. |
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| Heading out. |
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| I love skiing and Tim. |
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| Patron shots. |
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And more alcohol abuse.
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Heading to Red Mountain. Day 2.
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| Final boot pack up. |
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| Day 2 on top of Red Mountain. |
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| Day 2 evening yurt time. |
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| Pow! |
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| Day 3 bonfire lunch. Too bad we all couldn't sit still too long. |
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| Home. |
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| Zobott showed me all the amazing lines on day 3. |
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| Got my 5 year WAH hat after 9 years. |
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| We all saw plenty of this. |
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The group on the last day.
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| Day 4. Last run. So sad. |
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| Great way to end a great trip. |
We really got lucky, because Mike and I went up to the cabin on Monday night planning to ski on Tuesday, but got rained out. Pineapple express has arrived. I guess it is a good thing so I get back on my bike! My ski days aren't over yet, but I actually really want to ride my bike. I think I'll head out now.
