Back to Front Country

The season in the West is just ramping up, with fresh snow flurries the valley rushes into the mountains. The people who inhabit the Hole, that is Jackson, are not your usual breed of human being. The majority of us choose to live our lives in the wilderness that is our backyard and dwell in the grandeur that no multi million dollar home could provide. Yes there are those that come in private jets, stay in their perfectly furnished mountain home and have a personal chef to grill up the most delectable buffalo steaks this side of anywhere; but the majority of us here live to get out of the walls that confine us.

As beautiful as the summers are here in Jackson Hole, the town buzzes with a certain excitement as fall draws to a close and winter fast approaches. People start wearing their boots, bundling up against the cold and fine tuning their equipment in preparation for the coming of Old Man Winter.

We began this season by venturing out into the open to get fresh tracks as well as fresh air on Teton pass. We see all the usual suspects that have reconvened for another Jackson winter. Each one hiking, skinning and trekking to the fresh lines that await us for the year. Those of us that have congregated in the mountains know and appreciate the magnificence found here.

As you hike up you feel your lungs and legs burn as you ascend Glory... and it is... glorious I mean. The beauty of this valley still takes my breath away and I am left contemplating how one could ever go back to a life that most consider "normal." At this point, I wouldn't want to consider anything less than what I do as "normal." I will watch the sunrise from 10,450 ft. as I drink my coffee and start my day of work. I will behold the beauty of the wilderness as part of my daily life. And I will never take for granted what an amazing place this valley truly is.

Ice Cream Anyone???

Sunsets from the top of Rendezvous Mountain are unparalleled. As far as you can see in any direction are mountain tops and the assumption that valley's lie between them. As the sun sinks lower on the horizon, I contemplate the winter that is coming our way.

Supposed civilization carries on thousands of feet below Corbett's Cabin as I anticipate the first flurries of snow fall. Generally here the snow precedes the fall,which reminds us that Mother Nature is in control. In ski towns there is always a bit of excitement when the days start getting shorter, and the air a bit more brisk.

The summer here in Jackson Hole is beautiful, but short. Our Spring began with 200 additional inches of snow, bringing our season total to a record 730. Summer work started and we were still chipping ice and shoveling snow.... but riding too.

Everyday that I have worked the JH Tram this summer we have carted snowboarders and skiers up the mountain to enjoy the remnants of this ridiculous winter. Tourists gape at our local die hards as they watch them carry their boards and planks off the Tram and into the back country.

However, there are others that continue to work harder for their summer lines... and they are the ones climbing the mountains with their ice axe's, crampons, and backpack's full of gear.

The Teton's are a playground that could take a lifetime to explore but luckily I have a good guide. One of our Tram Mechanic's, Chris Onufer (who kills it all year round) offered to take me up The South to snowboard. We started at 500 A.M. in Teton Village with daylight on the brink of the peaks.

It was azure skies on our ascent of the South Teton, with wildflowers like yellow balsamroot and lavender lupin covering the lower mountainsides. The trail was quiet and calm as we climbed up Garnet Canyon. We hiked over immense scree fields with snow runoff raging in creeks underneath us. When we arrived at the Meadows there were a handful of climbers who were barely waking up to start theirs day's journey.

The snowline dipped just below 9000 ft and with The Grand and the Middle Teton towering above us we began our boot pack up to the saddle then onto the Ice Cream Cone Coulier. A storm was brewing to the SW and as we approached the top of the coulier the black skies moved in quick. We strapped on our gear at 12,200 ft, 300 ft shy of the summit. Socked in, but with our line in mind, we dropped in.

3500 vertical ft of snowboarding on perfect summer corn... not bad for July 11 in Wyoming. Muchos gracias La Nina.

Ride Breaks VS. Lunch Breaks

"Umm... Mountain Station, not sure if you care but there are two skiers coming down Casper Bowl right now."

"Oh, we care. Bridger?"

"We're on it."

Radio banter as the evening turns to Blue Bird. With the Tetons blanketed a North Westerly wind pulls the covers over the valley and all those below the headboard of this mountain range pursue their apres ski dreams.

For me, The Clash plays in the background as I watch the bright sun rays set behind the Westerly peaks.

My day began flying Car 1 in a 60 mph NW wind and swinging too close to tower 5 with the TGnaR crew and our savvy Tram Mechanic Josh. However it was a swift recovery from there. I was fortunate to get the 9:00 break... the "Garth" break, 50 minutes during the opening hour of public operations.

1st Tram with my Amer friend from Ogden, straight to South Hoback. A buffed bowl, to Our Trail to my sickest south boundary run of the season. Then halfway back up Union Pass lift I hear over the radio that we had beat our own Tram by a sizable lead. We decided to go for a second lap, but this would require me beating my own Tram again and being ready on the dock in order to relieve Virgil, my fellow operator who had just flown me to the top for my second run. Risky move... I know, but worth it if it can be done right.

And it was. Racing down a milk bottle Bowl, with no visibility and a bit of vertigo I began to question my decision to poach another run. I caught my breath, by slowing my turns and clearing my head. I had told Mike that it was going to be a fast run, but I ended up loosing him before getting to Sublette chair. Apparently Cheyenne Gully was too inviting.

One look back, no signs of my friend... A-line to Lower Tram Line, to sick pow slashes directly underneath Car 2 and the knowledge that I am going to make it in time to relieve Mr. Virgil Swords. What a break!
Who needs lunch when you eat powder for breakfast?

Party on Wayne, this is Garth signing off. Much love from JHMR!

A New Year

1-1-11

The Close of the New Year's first day is painted with lavender of the sunset and hue's of blue as the depth increases to the valley. The Snake now slithers across the frozen valley in negative temperatures.

The Grand, she is cloaked in clouds and a white dress of snow... steadfast, magnificent and strong. Pushed by forces beneath the surface that force her growth and keep her young.


Cody in the background of the Tetons is shadowed in orange with the sunlight illuminating the north westerly wind blowing in at 30 MPH. Straight off the nose and then swirling into the bowl. Recycled lines from the south side fill in Pucker Face.

The sun is nearly set and yet I don't want to go into the cabin. When surrounded in such a wilderness unlimited possibilities abound. The New Year has buffed out the old, just as the wind does to the bowl. It's going to be a good one, I can feel it. The world is there for our taking and we can take any line we choose.