Lately I've been a bad blogger. I haven't posted once since December. However, just because I haven't been posting doesn't mean that I haven't been doing stuff. This winter I got out ice climbing with Gwen Linde at both Lee Vining Canyon and Horsehoe Falls near June Lake. Horseshoe Falls is a great early season climbing spot, but the climbs aren't too steep. Lee Vining Canyon was lacking something this year; the entire Bard Harrington wall! As a result Chouinard Falls was very crowded, and because Lee Vining seems to be the only reliable waterfall ice in California it get packed with guided groups and clubs. I have nothing against guiding, and I think that clubs have a right to climb, however this year things got to the point of absurdity. One weekend a guided group and a mountaineering club each hung four ropes on Chouinard, which can only support nine climbs squeezed in. Guess where we were? Right in the middle. However, the most unfortunate thing is that every other small party was run off. Apart from the crowds the ice was in great shape, and I'm gradually getting better at leading. Perhaps, next winter a trip to Lamoille Canyon, the Wastach, or even Ouray will be in order.
Christmas this year saw Holly and I travelling to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where we spent the holidays with family. Holly's brother, Paul, proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Lacey on Christmas Day. Needless to say we'll be traveling back this fall to attend their wedding. Jackson Hole ski area rocks! It is probably my favorite large ski resort, because of its size and the variety of the terrain.
After returning to Reno I got a few good ski days in at Northstar-at-Tahoe. At first I was dismayed about the lack of difficult terrain and the crowds. However, later in the season I got up there on a storm day and discovered that when the weather is the stormiest that is when Northstar shines. The ski area, which is entirely below treeline, seems to be pretty resistant to all but the fiercest winds. As a result, when other places shut their lifts Northstars are still running.
This winter was also our first winter with Chester. I ended up taking Chester on a number of snowshoe hikes, which he absolutely loves. I really enjoy the opportunity to get away from the ski area and climbing area crowds.
This winter has also been a busy one for me at work. Next month I've got two academic conferences: the first is the International Assocation fo Landscape Ecologists in Madison, Wisconsin, the second is the Association of American Geographers in Boston. In between I'l be stopping off in DC to see Cara and to check out the cherry blossoms. Happy spring.
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