ONE OF THOSE DAYS 2 - CANDIDE THOVEX

Check out this edit from pro skier Candide Thovex at his home resort in Val Blanc, France. Absolutely gnarly skiing with an insane amount of air time. What did this guy do to this poor mountain? I guess this could be categorized as a freeskier's version of satire.

BACKCOUNTRY DAY IN BUTLER GULCH, CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, CO (JANUARY 2015)

Great weather yesterday on a mid-week day off backcountry skiing in Butler Gulch, Clear Creek County, CO. Blue sky, no wind. Our visit followed a mild winter storm the previous evening, where 4-5" of the snow fell straight to the ground (a rarity in Colorado's notoriously windy Front Range). I skied with Henry Gibb, who dragged me all over the basin. Impressive fitness level on his part, if I might add.

SKI ADVENTURE FILM - "HIGHER" BY JEREMY JONES

The new film "Higher" by Jeremy Jones is both inspiring and thought provoking. While highlighting the adventure of the journey into remote mountain ranges around the globe in search of first descents, the age-old question of selfish pursuits rears its ugly head yet again. Jeremy Jones is a husband and father of two, yet his livelihood requires a level of adventure that exposes him to the risk of severe injury or death. His personal interviews are candid and his internal struggle with the dangers associated with his professional pursuits are heartfelt and easy for me to relate with in my own life.

Video link: Official Jeremy Jones' Higher Trailer 2

BILLY JEAN ON BEER BOTTLES

Here's a great use of spent beer bottles...

DAYS OF MY YOUTH - EXTENDED TRAILER

This movie captures a lot of how I feel about skiing and climbing... about the sense of adventure and sharing it with like-minded and motivated individuals... about escaping the grid and exchanging cell phone reception for blue skies and untracked lines... about learning to communicate and express oneself through movement in lieu of words... where age is relative and experience is king.

OWEN LEEPER'S POV SKI EDIT - JACKSON HOLE, WY

The end of summer is nearly here and I'm starting to think more and more about the transition to winter. Soon the hoop houses will be going up in the garden, the leaves will slowly change colors and very shortly afterward, I'll be tuning skiis and replacing essential ski gear (including the aluminum poles I broke last March on my sternum!).

Joe Gratz recently posted his predictions for the upcoming ski season at OpenSnow.com and it looks like a mild El Nino winter is in the making. We can probably expect average snowfall conditions for most of Colorado with above average snowfall for San Juan Mountains (which is great for a week-long hut trip I've scheduled to the Silverton area in early February 2015!).

In the meantime, while we ponder new places to ski and daydream of blower conditions on bluebird days, here's a ski edit from Owen Leeper from the 2013-14 season at Jackson Hole to help elevate the winter stoke. This guy commands the terrain at Jackson. Footage includes his backflip into Corbett's, throwing 70-footers like nobody's business and needling some of the tightest couloirs I've ever seen anyone ski. Classifying this guy as a bad ass... is probably appropriate.

Video link: Owen Leeper's Killer POV From Jackson Hole, WY

 

Leeper's backflip in Corbett's Coulour

 

SOME COOL "FIRSTS" FOR LUCA - BOULDER, CO (AUGUST 2014)

(Caution... bit of a proud pappa moment here.)

Our 7-year old son, Luca, did his first Tyrolean traverse earlier this month on approach to a local crag in Boulder Canyon. We climbed with friends at The Watermark, which has a slew of concentrated beginner and moderate sport routes, perfect for a family day at the crag. The following week, he attended a week-long climbing camp through Avid4 Adventure in Boulder, which gave him some consistent exposure to climbing, while enjoying being outdoors with peers in a fun and constructive environment.

 

Luca also had his first day of fly fishing. We only had 40 minutes and didn't bring any fish to hand, but the experience of hiking to the river and wading in the water was still great nonetheless. He'll be getting his first fly rod this month and we'll be heading out together this fall.

 

 

It's been a great summer for Luca with a lot of changes. He also started public school this month for the first time as well, after private schooling his entire life up to this point. We think he's ready and has so many talents to bring to the table. He's a cool kid with a lot to offer.