Skiing the Wasatch

Where to ski? Timp background, Forrest lake couloirs, Ant Knolls foreground.

"The other Run"

Skiing the Wasatch back

Undisclosed location

photo credit: Chad Nielson

South Fork of the Snake

We put together a last minute river trip over the weekend and headed back to Idaho to float the South Fork of the Snake. We floated the roadless section for 3 days and had an amazing time. Everett couldn't get enough of his first trip on a river. Between Sedona wanting to learn how to row the boat and Everett wanting to cast dads fly rod all day it was a busy 3 days.

Snake River Scenery

Me and Everett fishing the gravel bars

Family photo

Everett enjoying his camp chair in the boat.

Sedona trying out the oars.

Middle Fork 2009

After a 6 year hiatus we finally made it back to the Middle Fork. I might be a little bias but the Middle Fork of the Salmon is "the best" multi-day river journey ever created, and after nearly 50 runs through it's corridor I am still amazed and in aw of it's beauty. Sure there are other great river trips out there, but none have the diversity of the Middle Fork- Gin clear water, mountains, hot springs, incredible fishing, animals everywhere, mild temperatures, and tons of rapids.

This is when people started grabbing for fly rods

Stalking West Slope Cutthroat in Big Creek

Jenn, Mckell and Bri enjoying Sunflower hot springs

Tyty making the drop and dodging logs in Tappan III

Jenn hiking up Loon Creek to visit the hot springs

Intense Bacci Balling at Elk Bar

Lake Creek burnt forest

Why I love my wife

When Jenn told me she wanted to Climb Mexican Mountain for our 10yr. wedding anniversary I didn't argue and started packing my gear.  Nothing beats a great weekend in the desert.  Mexican Mtn. is a remote mesa in the San Rafael Swell that sits on a large bend in the river between the Black Boxes of the San Rafael River. 

The route requires a little climbing, a little rappelling and allot of steep hiking but well worth the effort. Spending the night on its summit gazing at the stars is an unforgettable experience. 

Crossing the San Rafael river

 Jenn 1/2 way up the route walking beneath the windgate santone

 

 Traversing the slickrock ramps

 Our camp atop the mesa just below the summit

 Enjoying the views

Summit of Mexican Mtn.

Mystery solved, Legend continues...

After reading the new article last week that someone had found the remains of Everett Ruess I still had my doubts. Today all doubts were put aside. DNA tests now confirm that the remains were indeed that of Everett Ruess the "patron saint of the red rock wilderness".

I have mixed feelings about this new discovery. Part of me liked the whole mystique about this 20 yr. old vagabond, flippin' the bird at society and heading to the desert to live life how he envisioned and disappearing forever. In the end though I guess its his vision and ideas that intrigue me the most.  Long live NEMO!

"say that i starved, that i was lost and weary 

that i was burned and blinded by the desert sun 

footsore, thirsty, sick with strange diseases, 

lonely and wet and cold, but that i kept my dream! " 

— Everett Ruess

Everett Ruess Found?

Has the mystery been solved? Although I have my doubts as to this story and the whereabouts of Ruess-the ultimate Wilderness Vagabond. It does seem possible. I can't wait to read the full story.

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2009/04/everett-ruess/david-roberts-text

April Powder

Another week of 25+ inches at Parleys summit. The Wasatch has been getting pounded with storms over the last 10 days, I was able to get out Friday morning to try out the snow from the last wave of storms. Spring skiing this year in the Wasatch has been about as good as it gets.

Turns

Turns

More Turns

Sun starting to peek throught the storm