First of all, let me say I am honored to have the privilege to "Guest Blog" on The Alaska Adventure. Like many of you, I eagerly await Kim's weekly report of their experiences and am suddenly feeling the pressure of measuring up to expectations... (deep breath)...here goes:
As a volcano skier from Oregon I had been eagerly awaiting my visit to the Leslies and the big Chugach and Kenai mountain ranges for months. They were able to peel out of Kenai during their Spring Break and we met at the trailhead for the Manitoba Mountain cabin on a Wednesday morning. It was -9 degrees F at 8AM... booger-freezing weather. After strapping gear and food to sleds, we hauled everything into the cabin and yurts in a very leisurely 15 minutes. By 10AM, J and I were skinning up Manitoba Mountain in sub-zero temperatures on a blue sky day. It was absurd to think that exactly 24 hours before I had been mountain biking in the Columbia River Gorge in 62 degree F sunshine. The wonders of modern air travel! And now on this day, I was getting to ski the lightest powder snow of the season in the most jaw-dropping and immense scenery that I have ever laid eyes on.
Andy contemplates the goods...
J drops in...
Well played, Gentlemen.
Highlights beyond the wonderful, cold powder snow skiing included:
Ski touring with Kim in the morning (who, true to form, comes "off the couch" and stomps in 2000' of climbing followed by ripping powder turns... all before lunch), returning to the yurt for food and warm socks, then heading back out for four more hours of afternoon storm skiing with J.
Riders on the Storm.
Indigo, our resident entertainment, charming the pants off the hut keepers and all the other yurt guests.
Sporting her gifts from Hood River - Thanks Jackson, Jill and Joe!
The Leslies' friend, Chris, who came in the second evening with a guitar and a bottle of whiskey. We put both to good use with an all night jam session along with Tom, a fellow yurt guest, who managed to rock the un-tune-able child's guitar we found in the cabin. J and I played percussion using all the kitchen implements that could be rhythmically beaten with an egg whisk or a metal spoon. J particularly shone on the wok lid, which was tuned to a deafening D#. Despite a 3AM bedtime (!) we awoke the next day, hauled some gear back to the car and bid adieu to Kim and Indigo as they headed back to Kenai. J, Chris and I skied all afternoon on a gorgeously clear, sunny day, returning to the cabin as the sun was going down.
Andy and Chris heading up, up, up.
Day 4 climbing John's Peak where J and I had a rare sighting of the elusive Alaskan Afro Yeti, shown here in a fit of its annual Spring Equinox Dance. (One-of-a-kind video on actual blog site.)
Heading back to Kenai where I got to appreciate the Leslies' sweet living arrangements overlooking a lovely beach with views of volcanic peaks across the Cook Inlet. Kim had a delicious Irish stew and Guinness beers awaiting us to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
Cook Inlet Sunset.
Much thanks to the Leslies for their hospitality and for making arrangements which led to a fantastic ski adventure for your humble Guest Blogger from the Lower 48. This week marked the first time that I was actually slightly happy that the Leslies moved to Alaska (we miss you guys in Oregon!) since it gave me an excuse to come to this remote and beautiful place and play in the mountains with them.
Playing.
I leave you with some footage of J reminding us that, with backcountry skiing, you gotta GO UP to GET DOWN. (Yet another must-see video on actual blogs site!)
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