Sport plan today was a powder hit in the morning, then off to the OR show in the afternoon. With more than a foot of fresh last night we were set. Hooked up with Poly McLean and Wizard of the Wasatch Bob Athey, climbed a hill, and skied down. As nearly always, Utah delivered blissful powder turns that kept me smiling all day. It was fun to finally get out with Athey, a legendary figure in Utah skiing who’s always fascinated me. I actually met him years ago in Colorado at a backcountry skiing festival (and might have even skied with him but don’t remember). Bob impressed me back then when he mentioned his typical season of backcountry skiing as being 100+days. He’s still doing it.
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| Today’s pow wasn’t deep by Wasatch local’s standards, but for Colorado boys it was just fine. |
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| Louie Dawson, Bob Athey and Poly McLean — yes, we were all on Dynafits. |
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| After a morning of skiing we arrived back at the OR Show just in time for yours truly to sign a few Couloir Magazine calendars (it has a photo of fourteener skiing), then attend a celebration ski mountaineer and photographer Carl Skoog’s life. Carl was killed while skiing in South America, and was a well known figure in the mountaineering and backcountry skiing community. His brother Gordy presented the event, sharing touching accounts of Carl’s life along with a variety of stunning , poignant, and sometimes humorous slides. Best wishes to Gordy and his family from WildSnow.com, and may Carl rest in peace. |
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
