Another book off the shelves ... THE ASCENT OF RUM DOODLE

I am re-reading this classic for the third or fourth time. The definitive spoof of British expedition narratives from the golden age of Himalayan climbing. So well written, and such a wonderful sense of humor.

Skiing the Hardrock 100 route in the San Juans

Maybe we can tackle sections of this when Brian retires to Durango. Read the Adventure Journal article below ...

http://adventure-journal.com/2016/03/group-completes-epic-first-ski-of-the-hardrock-100/

Lucy's last day on skis ... on to track season

Happy Easter. Click on the link to watch a video update about her important March races.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TyGeQHhpbM

A fossil gathering in Tahoe

Checking out your tech binding release

A short but important video from WILD SNOW ...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1AcqkCPm4lY

Great day skinning and skiing Haystack

Laps on Haystack Mountain

Wednesday night we got a short skin in before sunset, and tomorrow Guillaume and I will do 3-4 laps before we head south and north.

Violet klister

A love letter to the National Parks

Fantastic evening short video ...

http://www.outsideonline.com/2061176/why-we-love-national-parks?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tweet

2016 Eastern High School Championships

Lucy had three top 10 performances, including a fourth place in the 5K ski race.

Skiing with an NCS alumnus from the class of 1948

Beautiful day at Snowmass ... it was hard to keep up as he pointed them straight down hill.

Heading back East ...

Hope there is still snow at the jumps when I get back.

Great laps on Buttermilk

Oops ... Obviously grabbed the wrong clip-on sunglasses!

Good first day in Colorado

A nice short morning run on the Flatiron Vista Trail. In the afternoon I skinned for a couple of hours on the Jenny Creek Trail adjacent to the Eldora Ski Area.

Ferry to Burlington ... off to Colorado to see NCS alumni

Lucy named a U20 All American for her sprint race at the junior nationals

March is traditionally the snowiest month ...

Not this year!

Still some good skiing although it feels like spring ...

Thankfully the man-made snow at the ski jumps is holding up.

Quote of the Week ... Bradford Washburn

In 1957 the Swiss publication MOUNTAIN WORLD featured a famous 24 page article with many of his stunning high resolution photographs of Denali. Speaking of the South Face, and the then unclimbed central rib, he had this to say only, "the most uniformly experienced and powerful team of climbers should even think of attempting it ... But I mentioned it here because to omit it would be to sidestep the greatest remaining pioneering ascent in North America."

The Cassin Ridge ... the big fish that got away! The climb that I still dream about.

Extreme Skiing Pioneer

A nice essay about a key figure in ski mountaineering ... Patrick Vallencant.

http://adventure-journal.com/2016/03/steep-skiing-pioneer-patrick-vallencant/

Hard to believe it's still officially winter!

2016 Nordic Junior Nationals ... much better race for Lucy

Heading on to the 1.3k sprint course in a few hours.

How the American military saved our wool industry

http://www.outsideonline.com/2043131/resurrection-american-wool

A red klister day

However, the skiing is still quite nice on the loop at the Olympic jumps.

Cable Wisconsin ... 2016 Nordic Junior Nationals

Lucy at the start of Monday's 5k, the race today has been postponed until tomorrow when she will race the 10k mass start. Use the link below to watch the live stream on Thursday morning about 11 am.

http://www.xcjuniornationals2016.com/livestream.html

Brad Washburn ... what a great story

Dawn Patrol

Brian's first day on alpine touring gear ... "this outing thoroughly exceeded my expectations,"

Still good Nordic skiing

Conditions are terrific at the ski jumps as they get ready to host the D3 national championships.

Fossil gathering in the Adirondacks

Brian and Gary climbed Hidden Gully and Tendonitis on the north side of Pitchoff. I did a nice 6.5k trail run to the base of the route - greeted the boys - and headed home for a skate workout at the ski jumps.

Cocktail hour was spent with Brian, Gary, John, and James watching Ski Tour du Canada and swapping tales.

Crummy skiing but the ice is nice!

One of our 8th grade, NCS girls continues to power up routes all winter long ... Crystal Ice Tower at Chapel Pond.

Blast from the Past ... 1939 Olympic trials

Back in the day when every ski mountain town had a jump, nordic, and alpine skiing. Back in the day of the four event skiers, rope tows, ski trains, and one set of gear to do it all. Watch this video about the Nansen Club ski jump in the bustling town of Berlin, New Hampshire!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gJgaT6fdLnc

Long day yesterday

For the second time this week, I got a 2:45 am alpine start. Yesterday it was to drive over to St. Paul's in New Hampshire, pick up Lucy and her bag with 8 pairs of skis, and drive her to Burlington, Vermont to meet with the Mid-Atlantic squad going out to Wisconsin for the Junior Nationals.

This is how I am feeling about the ski season!

Tour du Canada

The first stage in Gatineau saw two Americans on the podium. Click on the link to watch the Eurosport coverage.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZlgdPzbiyE

Decision making traps in Avalanche risk assessment

http://www.sunrockice.com/docs/Heuristic%20traps%20IM%202004.pdf