2.21.2008

Wallowa Alpine Huts

As we hit the road for this trip, which we had looked forward to for awhile, Brandon was sicko and getting substantially worse. Thankfully, he got better -although not 100%- in time for the trip. The lingering exhaustion slowed him down a bit on our daily tours from the home base yurt, but that was a good thing (for anyone who knows Brandon, you know what I mean!).

So, we stayed in a comfy yurt with a really nice guy named Justin. The yurt stayed warm all night with a fire going in the woodstove. After each great day of powder skiing, the group convened in the guide/cook yurt for dinner. Our guides -Morgan and Ken- were amazing. They spent their days breaking trail and then came back to prepare wonderful, three-course meals on a propane stove, using water they had collected from the creek.

We really enjoyed the snow and the terrain, had fun with the other skiers and our guides, and were quite comfortable and content with our yurt and the delicious food.


A sunny day on the way into camp.


Home Sweet Yurt!




Brandon keeping us warm.




The super deluxe 'Sky Box' (aka the toilet)...this worked great unless you forgot to shake off the umbrella and then accidentally knocked two feet of snow off of it and down your pants, etc. Brrr!






Heather eating some powder...yummy!


The trail out of camp.




We went to the top of this peak...the view was spectacular but the skiing was a bit too wind-crusted.




Doing laps...one chute of dry, untouched powder after another!






A cool tree.






Yep, another cool tree.


Guides Morgan and Ken


The whole crew, as we headed out.

1.10.2008

Kendall Peak Tour

Kendall Peak was one of our favorite tours this winter. On this particular January day, the snow was unbelievably good...so good that we forgot to actually take pictures of the slopes and/or our turns.


Summit West, from Kendall Stump

Lake Keechelus (commonly known as 'Stump Lake)

Brandon looking off in the distance...

Heather, always happy to be boot-packing (note: sarcasm)!

Mac-n-cheese in the backcountry on a sunny day with your sweetie...what could be better?!

8.15.2007

Wild Iris, Wyoming

August 2007: Brandon & I roadtripped to Wild Iris climbing area in central Wyoming. Along the way, we stopped to do some fishing in Montana (the Big Hole River) and also spent some time in the Tetons, which were way too busy for us. This goes down as one of our favorite adventures yet.
Brandon casting a line...

Heather trying to learn a thing or two...

Our campsite along the Big Hole river in MT.

The white limestone cliffs in the distance...

Brandon pulling a move on the sharp Wild Iris rock.

It looks slabby, doesn't it?! :)

A cool shelter of sticks and stones...

Our super deluxe camping spot on BLM land.


A few nice shots caught by local climber, Alf.


I could live here...a simple, small house in a ghost town in Wyoming.


One of the many cool, crooked Aspen trees.

Yep, another tree.

Pretty fleurs.

A cool silhouette pic of Brandon...thanks to Alf.


Jenny Lake...refreshing after a hot hike.


I can't remember the name of this lake that we hiked to...


...but it was pretty.