winter?

I have been putting off writing, waiting for something really exciting to write about, but so far, not really. sure, there is some skiing to do, with about a foot at the top of the hill and a run or two that have seen some skiing and snow machine action. but really, it just is not winter in the mountains yet. i for one, am digging deep to hold off my impatience. in the meantime, i have been playing some hockey and still riding a bit. might even to today. i have been to the top of the hill a few times, so i know it is skiable, but it is more for the exercise. but the weather looks ok mid week for a few inches, and it really will not take much to get something worthwhile. but the area opens on saturday, and unless the storm is way bigger than expected, it will be a slim opening and the conversation at the Stube will be better than the turns on the hill.

but the la nina winter is still on a collision course with our neck of the woods. western AK has been getting hammered, and some avalanches have been rumbling in utah and the bozeman area. i just keep thinking that we just need to break the high pressure and get the precip started. once it starts, i think it will keep going well into january,and hopefully beyond.

i have recently been pricing and looking at beacons and avalanche airbag systems. the top of the line Ortovox, (which i won one of at an auction) is only $350. yes,that is an only preceeding that price. beacons have been well over $200 for twenty years, and this thing (and other top of the line beacons) are pretty amazing. the airbag systems still have a way to go. they are priced at over $1000 and all seem to weigh upwards of 7-8 lbs. although this is the system of the future, it still needs to come way down in both price and weight. so get a good beacon, perhaps an avalung and the proper knowledge, and ski like the bastards who are threatening to dismantle this control (conservatively).

ok, more as soon as it snows. by the way, Issak Walton trails are up and running. not sure if all of it is open, but it is something, and they do a great job grooming there. worth a day if your ski jones is getting the best of you.