Nipples

Sorry for the long winded. Just figured I should.

To shorten things up, It wasn’t the day i wanted but it was the day i needed. Saw a marginal weather window with a great work window so pulled the trigger knowing it would be a gamble on conditions. Drove up yesterday taking my time making multiple stops in Massachusetts. Car camped at my now regular spot woke to howling winds, time change and how comfortable i got car camping down it was very easy to keep sleeping in a bit. Headed right up the tuckerman trail. Pack weight was 35lbs. Clueless as to what I’m going to ski. Chilled at hojos awhile talked to some others passing through. Ran into my AVY1 instructor that was teaching another course. He gave me a little beta. Couldn’t decide between hillmans or going into the ravine at first. Choose to head into the ravine... I always forget how steep it is. Once there i knew i had 2 choices. Right gully or lobster claw. Never skied lobster claw before so went up. Did not summit the line completely as i knew winds would be whipping 70-90 mph there. Top half was pretty sketchy with boiler plate conditions but second half was actually great skiing. Definitely should have just transitioned at the rock cropping half way up. Decided not to ski right gully as there were multiple groups already climbing up. Have skied everything else I decided to give Huntington Ravine a go. Only time I’ve been to Huntington before was during my AVY1 course and it certainly felt like my first time there. climbing up the south facing wall to the base of the cliff. Was slowly transitioning and enjoying the sun and one of my only breaks from the wind of the day. When the ravine erupted with that shreak of terror no one wants to hear. Quickly turning i caught the tail end of a girl tumbling hundreds of feet out of central gully at very high speed and over rocks. Came to a stop at even elevation with me but on the other side of the ravine. Quickly realizing this could be very serious, threw my skis and gave it my all to get to her. Not knowing what I’d even do when i get there. Made quick time to her and mercilessly she was unhurt and laughing it off. Regardless that freaked me out but still couldn’t call it a day yet. Skied back down to tuxs trail and then back up that to hojos. Skied the cutler river down which had way more open water then planned. Humbling as always.

Pulling the trigger on a quick trip headed up tomorrow. Pic for stoke.

Further the adventure better the ski.

Watch the whole series... it’s honestly what changed what i want out of skiing and then to watch him ski the zones i call my happy place.

He still has another line on the east coast to knock off.

Coolest project in skiing! Favorite episode but I may play favorites.

Pretty normal contrary to popular belief.

Day 3 I woke to it snowing very heavy and after a 30 minutes search for my car key i was off to Wildcat ski area. With 100mph winds and 14 inches forecasted for Washington i knew i needed another option. Never been to wildcat before and it’s always been a back up plan for my tuxs trips. First few runs were good although i was absolutely clueless where the goods were at first but hey that’s the adventure of it. Conditions were great... wasn’t powder just sitting on ice like we normally get on the east. I’d say 8-10 inches in depth. Eventually after following my nose i found some hidden gems in the trees that were completely untracked. Sadly had to head home. Feels so wrong. I could spend a long long time wondering and exploring those mountains.

It’s not that I can’t afford a room. I actually sleep super well in my car and by myself it makes sense. Didn’t find that thread but couldn’t stop thinking about that story. Did find this story though. https://m.facebook.com/notes/patrick-luk/falling-into-king-ravine-interview-excerpt/679140355493444

Totally stupid though it’s my happy place.

Day 2 After a great nights rest I woke to a light rain. Figured today I’d explore King Ravine. Which is in the northern presidentials off of Mt. Adams. Never have been there before or anywhere in the section of the mountain range. Started the tour in a light rain climbing through maple forest which eventually switched to pine forest. First 2.5 miles was super easy skinning with the same mellow pitch. The last 0.8 miles to base of the Great Gully was much to be desired. Not only was i now breaking trail, it got incredible steep, excessive over growth and sections of car sized rocks with holes that seemed like they dropped into oblivion. Eventually i made to the base of the great gully which is the pinnacle of king. Clouds were rolling in and out... I already knew I wasn’t going to ski the line top to bottom from what i read about it. This was a personal recon mission to grab beta on the zone. Climbed up to just shy of the first ice bulges. Looked to be 3 serious ice bulges In steepest section of the gully. While i think i could i have climbed through them without issue, but doing that then skiing it would top 3 my list of stupidest things I’ve ever done. The total line is way bigger then anything in tuxs, steeper and definitely more committing. King Ravine hasn’t seen the last of me. Thank @Justo8484 for the advice on the handgun.

@AtomicSkier I sweat to much for that long hair don’t care life. Note sure... big storm rolling in Later tomorrow.

Decided to check out the Gulf of Slides today. This was my first time to this zone so this was more an exploration. GoS trail was much steeper in many spots then then the tuxs trail. It was a very sweaty skin from start to finish with no wind even above the treeline. Skied the main gully in slightly less then favorable conditions. Did not warrant multiple laps. Over all great day out in the mountains... always so humbling.