Heli Ski Picture Highlights March 2014

6 days of helicopter skiing in Blue River, British Columbia.

One of my favorite shots.

Glacier Skiing in the Monashee Mountains. 

Perfection.

Hard to see, but that's my Dad skiing down that chute. 

The most unique Canadian take away.

View from the back of the Heli.

Avalanche run out.

Untouched tree skiing. About 110,000 feet of it to be exact.

Action Dust

Our lead guide cold rip it.

Great shot, my Dad ripping through the trees.

Defining Moments

For the past year I have spent hours dreaming of what the experience of helicopter skiing would be like. Envisioning the process, the views of the mountains, and the untracked turns to be had.  Over the course of the last week that, dream became real. It was an incredibly exhilarating experience that etched my mind with never ending memories. Majestic views, untracked powder runs all day long, a helicopter for a chair lift, and most importantly a experience that I was able to take in with my Dad. As I sift through the pictures, stories and memories from the trip, I keep coming back to  three pictures that define why my main passion has always been on a pair of snow skis.  Three frames of one powder turn in the Cariboo Mountains in Blue River, Canada, defining my every thought, dream and desire.

Par Save Glory

Today I played 16 holes of golf, not 18. Due to the recent snowstorm that hit Atlanta the course that I played had two holes closed because of the snow and ice.  This was a first that I had seen; snow on a golf course in Atlanta. Due to the cold weather and flux of people teeing off at Marietta City Club, my friend and I teed off on the  10^th hole and ran played through 16 holes (not 18) in a swift three hours and 15 minutes.

I bogeyed 10, 11 skipped 12 due to snow; looked like a typical round at this point; I am a decent golfer at best. I work hard at it, but it’s a frustrating sport. I teed off on 13, a par 4 dog leg left that when played correctly the green can and should be easily reach in 2 shots.  I pulled my drive hard right. I was able to punch out back into the fairway leaving me about a 95-100 yard shot to the green. My third shot was a total fluke; I topped it and the ball rolled about 10 yards. In frustration I setup for my fourth shot; setup wouldn’t even be the most accurate term as  I grabbed my 9 iron and was ready to put this hole behind me. Before I hit, the one thing I did take into consideration was that the pin was way back. With a wet ground, I figured I wouldn’t over hit my target. No practice swing or thought process, I swung. As I watched the ball take flight I was thinking: this thing is heading on a straight line towards the hole (a thought process that rarely comes to my mind). The ball landed and bounced in line towards the pin. I realized it was a good shot, but I didn’t realize how good of a shot it was. My buddy was up in front of me and had a really good angle on the ball and at that point let me know it had a shot to fall in the hole. I remember seeing the ball rolling and then disappear. I threw my hat and club and found myself briefly in a state of delusion.

 

A view from where my par save shot was hit.

I did not hit a hole in one. What I did do what save par. Save par from a distance I never thought was possible. I will never forget hitting that shot and watching the ball disappear into the hole; walking 80 yards and retrieving the ball out of the hole was quite a treat. Seeing that ball disappear into the hole was such a surreal feeling.  I play golf almost every weekend and having something like this happen was quite the experience, something I had never experienced on a golf course; something I might not ever get to experience again. 

I teed off on 14 and pulled my ball  way right onto the fairway of the next hole. It only seemed appropriate. 

80 to 8: One Year to the Next

When you can’t count the days that you snow ski in a season on two hands, you’re probably sitting pretty good. I lived in Jackson, Wyoming from August 2012 to April 2013, thus I was sitting pretty good. I worked four days a week; typically short workdays with skiing built into the afternoon. I would try to ski on my three off days as well. It was a incredible lifestyle and I look back at it as a experience that I cherish and will never forget. I now currently work and reside in Atlanta, Georgia. If you are reading this you are probably thinking: You lived in Jackson Hole and you moved to Atlanta? I think the same thing at times, but my goal was to spend ONE winter in the Hole and then start my career. 

 I skied just about 80 days in the winter of 2011-2012. Unfortunately, on day number 80 (ish) I was hiking the elevator shaft on a pretty big powder day where I lost my footing in the bootpack. To make a long story short I tore my meniscus. I would easily classify that as one of the worst days of my life, but at the same time it could have been a blessing in disguise (that’s some nice optimism right?). I was initially told by the clinic at the base of the mountain that I had torn my ACL. For someone as active as myself, who’s passionate about outdoor exploration, activity, and exercise it seemed like the end of the world at the time. An ACL tear is easily 10 months of rehab. Fortunately it was a miscues tear and not a torn ACL. A meniscus tear didn’t sound so bad at the time, but the road to recovery has been a long one and still continues to this day.

After my initial diagnosis I started physical therapy in Jackson Hole. It was difficult to accept the fact that my ski season was over. I spent the duration of my time in Jackson working hard at rehab trying to strengthen my knee to ski again that season. With the mountain open jut a few more days, I convinced myself I had worked hard enough to be able to ski again. I took one run and knew something was still not right. I skied one more day after that and closed the books on the 2011-2012 ski season and ended my winter in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

After leaving Jackson I moved back to Birmingham, Alabama in pursuit of a job. I eventually revisited an orthopedic surgeon because my knee still didn’t feel right; there I found out I would need outpatient orthoscopic surgery. I had my surgery on June 19^th, 2012; today is March 3, 2013. I initially thought after a few weeks of rehab I would be back doing what I really love: slalom skiing, snow skiing, biking, running etc. Not so fast. The road to recovery has been a long one. After surgery, months of rehab followed trying to build my knee and leg back to the strength it once was. These were long summer days of unemployment, grinding with the image of a slalom course and untracked line of powder in the back of my head. Thankfully the hard work paid off. I was able to make two trips out west this winter, one to Snowbird, Utah and one to Jackson, Wyoming. While I skied 80 days in 2011-2012 I skied 8 days in 2012-2013. It’s an interesting, quite staggering number to contrast and compare. While 8 days is far from 80, I am thankful to be healthy enough to have knees that allow me to snow ski. One day I hope to have the opportunity to ski 80 plus days again.

Braze. 

The Improper Use of a Snow Ski

I spent a few hours last night writing a pretty thorough post of the past year and half of my life. I depicted from a higher level, my time in Jackson Hole, a serious injury I suffered and the road to recovery until today. I will post this soon, but lets put that story aside for a minute. I was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming last week shredding the gnarr (skiing) and had the opportunity to buy a new pair of skis. I spent the whole week demoing skis, and finally closed on a great all mountain ski, the K2 Coomback’s (honoring Doug Coombs, one of the greatest). The skis were purchased the second to last day of the trip, so to this day these skis have been skied on ONE day. Here’s a picture of these bad boys in Jackson. Not only are they a great all mountain ski, but they have a pretty sick skin with a picture of the tram connecting across both skis.

 

 Now here’s a picture of these same skis sitting in my apartment in Atlanta, Georgia.

 After a long week of work I really can’t think of anything worse than a brand new pair of skis leaning against a wall of an apartment in Atlanta. Even worse, these skis will more than likely not be used again until 2014. At least I have a great all mountain ski to collect dust, look at frequently after long days of work, and help me realize that eight days in a year of skiing is simply is not enough. I leave you with a view of one of the greatest playgrounds in the world: Jackson Hole. Braze.

 

Rise and Shine: Jackson Style

It was a beautiful Easter morning today in Jackson, Wyoming. What a better way to reflect, praise, and worship at 10,450 feet.

Easter morning in the Tetons.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort hides in the early morning darkness.


The Grand in fine form.


Despite a cold morning a big crowd showed up for the sunrise service at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.





HE HAS RISEN.

CONGRADULATIONS BUBBA A GREAT WIN FOR A GREAT MAN YOU ARE A MASTERS CHAMPION!

The Sports Week of the Year: 2012

Two years ago last April I attempted to live a sports dream by attending two events in the same day: a Masters Monday practice round and a Opening Day Braves game. I left Auburn, Alabama around 3:30 AM on Monday morning to drive to Augusta, Georgia. I soaked in the sun at Augusta National from 8:00am into the late afternoon, all the while watching the best golfers in the world try to figure out how they would attempt to win the 2009 Masters. After a long day in the sun, I had my sights set on attending the Atlanta Braves home opener. I faded in and out of sleep on the the drive back from Augusta ( I was not driving). I awoke as the Braves the start of the Braves game crackled on the radio, “Welcome to the BIGS!” Jason Heyward had just gone deep for a three run home run in his first major league at bat.

Jason Heyward hopes to rebound after a sluggish sophomore season.

I would not see the Atlanta Braves home opener that day but I had an unforgettable first experience at Augusta National.
Every sports fan out there has certain sports that they are drawn to with a passion. As we bring in the spring and the month of April for 2012 a new sports season dawns upon us. I consider this week in April to be the best sports week of the entire year.

Early Monday on April 2, 2012 Masters week will begin. If you have ever been to Augusta National you will understand the significance of the first major of the year. The dogwoods will be in full bloom in the most superb course in the world. Players from across the world come to this prestigious private course believing they can come out Sunday evening wearing the infamous Green Jacket. If you haven’t been to Augusta National please go it is an experience you will never forget.

An early morning sunrise at Augusta National.

Then we look at the storylines for this year’s Masters; Tiger Woods just came of an impressive victory at Bay Hill. Many consider him to be the favorite to win in Augusta. Personally I stand beside my favorite golfer young Rory Mcilroy. After seeing a 54 hole lead slip away last year in Augusta, I believe he will mentally be prepared to come away with the title. This will hopefully be the first of many Green Jackets for the young Irishman.

Rory Mcilroy will look to avenge last year's meltdown at Augusta.

Monday evening sports fans will tune in to the NCAA basketball national championship game. Tuesday will be a day to prepare for the rest of the week ahead. After watching the always-entertaining par 3 contest on EPSN Wednesday golf fans and sports fans will be fired up for the Masters to begin.

Shortly after the par 3 tournament ends another major sporting event begins; opening night in Major League Baseball. While I personally will fade in and out of the opening game (in America) I will mentally be preparing for the Atlanta Braves opening day at the New York Mets. I have been longing for the first pitch of 2012 since the Braves suffered the now infamous September collapse where they proceeded to miss the playoffs after a torrential final month of the season. A loaded National League East could make for a very entertaining season. At very least I believe the Braves will win a wild card spot to send one of the games the longtime face of the franchise Chipper Jones out in style.

My predictions might not be accurate. Young Rory could come short at the Masters. The Braves could very well suffer injuries that prevent them from reaching the playoffs. All things set aside, come Sunday night my adrenaline will be rushing for the greatest sports week of the year.