We hadn’t been down to Moab since last fall a year ago. Too many obligations with work and what have you. When I haven’t been to slickrock country for a while, I like to make an obligatory trip up to Dead Horse Point and see what the camera might acquire. This it the view northeast, towards Chimney Rock, which rises above Shafer Basin. (Canon SD 780, manual focus infinity, ISO 100, automatic white balance.) Click image for massive enlargement. Use for a screen saver or wallpaper if you like… |

Due to me testing out a new bike as well as nursing a knee, we opted for the easy Bar-M trails as our mountain bike excursion. Perfect choice. It constantly amazes me how recreation friendly the Moab area is, as these trails were developed to provide folks who aren't up for the usual Moab bicycle epic a place to enjoy, perhaps with younger kids, or just something that doesn't require three gallons of beer to recover from.

Of course, what would a WildSnow Moab trip be without breaking out the Rumble Bee for some thrills? The danged Wall obstacle on the Steel Bender Trail (Flat Pass) is my nemesis. Bee has just too short a wheelbase to make it safely, but this hero shot taken just before I almost rolled makes it look casual. I still think I could make it with just the right line. Perhaps we'll try again soon?

Friends and onlookers hold 'er down while yours truly gets out the winch stuff. Adrenaline is where you find it...
In all, a fun couple of days in the recreation capitol of the west. Now, back to thinking backcountry skiing!
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.