Double-blacks as far as they eye can see? No problem, my health insurance is current...

Chainsaw busts thru ORCS!

Chainsaw holding onto the sign for dear life before the terrors of Mirkwood!

I survived!

Sunday we hit out for Old Monarch Pass, a mere stone's throw from the resort boundary but worlds away in terms of untracked snow, silence and solitude. Whiteout conditions on the drive up there but quickly clearing to nothing short of beautiful. Tele rule #110, always head up!

How high did YOU get?

Chainsaw tops out in the furious winds!

We found this sweet stash of untouched freshies on the way back down, and had to lap it twice! First real powder tele for Chainsaw and Highroller led to perma-grin...and the beer and pizza waiting at the TH didn't hurt either.

Chainsaw pulls around the corner yesterday as we top out on Old Monarch Pass in complete solitude...nice!

...and I think I'll wreck right here.

Sweet sweet powder coming down from Old Monarch!

I'm fine. Nothing to see here. Post snow-mole Highroller shakes it off.

St. Mary's Glacier outing Sunday under bluebird skies and warm temps. McMuffin in the belly and hot chocolate in the pack Chainsaw is rarin' to go!

Chainsaw pops out of the trees at the foot of the glacier. More like 20 minutes then the 45 I disremember from previous outings...maybe the skins speed things up or we're finding our altitude legs? Windless in the trees but blowing steady above the lake.

Hump time...as Highroller takes the lead up St. Mary's Glacier.

Chainsaw gets a dermal abrasion treatment as we take the scouring wind and sugar-like spindrift right in the face...brrrrrring it on.

Gorgeous day in the mountains!

Ladies first, as we forgot an avy poodle...

Finally at the top (of the glacier) with James Peak in the background we could turn our backs to the wind, strip the skins, and flail our way down!

Chainsaw carved turns like a trooper!