Always Unprepared to Always Prepared

Every day we wake up and face a certain number of tasks that we hope to accomplish. Every individual task involves a certain amount of preparation even if we might not realize it. If you’re going to work you have to do the necessary preparation to get ready for your day whatever it might entail. The same situation proves true with school, leisure, or outdoor excursion. Chances are you lay in bed the night before running through details of what needs to be done in order to get the necessary tasks accomplished for the day.

In the realm of physical activity, you can apply the same concept. If you go out to play 18 holes of golf for example proper preparation is necessary. You figure out what the conditions are for the day. Will it be hot? Windy? Is there a Chance of rain or a possibility of extremely cold temperatures? While this is just an example, how much time and consideration you put into these decisions, depending on the sport or activity you partake in can be critically important.

In August I had a minor heat stroke while out riding my bike. Preparation had a lot to do with my situation. I had not properly hydrated that morning, as I drank several cups of coffee and not much water. I chose to go out at the hottest part of the day, 110-degree temperatures on blazing hot asphalt. I only packed one Gatorade bottle, which was half full of Gatorade, and half full of water. With the heat of the day and my lack of preparation for the ride I quickly found myself out of water and alone on a lengthy bike ride. I was fortunate to make it back home that day, where I spent the remainder of the day recovering and kicking myself for my lack of preparation for the situation I was going into.

A few weeks back a friend and I went for a lengthy hike in Jackson, Wyoming. The morning started out cold and crisp and warmed up slightly through the hike. As we reached our first stopping point we had hiked over 4,000 feet to a much higher altitude. The temperature quickly dropped and the clouds moved in making the beautiful Tetons disappear. We stopped to rest and warm up. Despite our knowledge of the cold weather and high possibility of rain we decided to continue on to our destination, Marion Lake.

The hike to Marion Lake was 6.2 miles from where we started. The hike there was not that bad we went through some rain and it began to get muddy on the trail. I realized a few miles into that portion of the hike that having a rain jacket would have been the best way to be properly prepared for the backcountry Wyoming Mountains. We arrived to our Marion Lake destination and headed back. As we begun the hike home the rain began to pick up and the temperature quickly dropped.

My lack of preparation to pack accordingly to hike was beginning to take a serious toile on me. I was completely saturated in freezing rain and sleet and I was having trouble keeping feeling in my hands. With still four miles to go all I could think about was getting back to a safer situation then what we were in. I attempted to warm my hands and tried to have optimistic thoughts and ignore the current situation, which was seemingly becoming worse. The last few miles of the hike were pure adrenaline. The desire to live which might seem farfetched but after my recent heat stroke, I knew hypothermia and frostbite were becoming a serious factor. We pushed through and made it to the base of Jackson, Wyoming.

As I type currently I have not regained full feeling in my right hand. At first I was worried, a little scared about what this might mean for the long term. I have spent hours kicking myself for not preparing myself properly for that day on the mountain. But as the days go on I realize that it was a learning experience and there is nothing I can do about it at this point. After my heat stroke I am always sure to pack plenty of water after this experience I will always be sure to be properly equipped when hiking. Never leave home unprepared. You can never be over prepared, but you can always be underprepared.

Light up the Sky

I saw he most incredible rainbows this evening. The entire rainbow appeared through the clouds and rain for just long enough to get a entire view of it; stretching from one end of the sky to the other.

Fall is in Full Bloom in Jackson

A Ray of Sunshine: Keep Fishing

Thunderstorms moved in and around the Jackson Hole valley today, which has been a regular occurrence in the past two weeks. The storms started up in the morning and carried out through the rest of the day; dropping temperatures slightly and clearing off the river which was a good reason for me to go fish this afternoon. The dark clouds and thunder moved right around me all afternoon and into the evening. The fish were bitting so I had no reason to put the fly rod away. Another sign not to get off the river came in the form of a ray of sunshine:

A Good Friend Is Always Watching Out for You

Point and case proven today in Granite Canyon.

Waiting for the Snow to Fall

There is something about snow skiing that is unlike anything else you will ever experience on this earth. It brings a since of self accomplished freedom. It puts you miles away from everything that is anything. There is so much going through your head but at the same time your mind is completely blank. As a skier, you wake up you just hope it is a powder day:

“There is nothing in the world like going out onto an untouched, open, virgin mountain slope drenched under a thick blanket of new powder snow. It gives a supreme feeling of freedom, mobility. A great sense of flying, moving anywhere in a great white paradise.” - Hans Gmoser

Today is September 6, 2011 it is still quite warm, and it will be a few weeks before the seasons first snow fall. I find myself waking up in the morning craving the cold air, longing for the snowfall; each day telling myself that it is one day closer to the start of the season. Fortunately there is plenty to explore and keep me sufficiently occupied in my back yard in the meantime. Each evening lately I find myself on the river tying flies, learning the technicalities of fly fishing. Hoping to bring in more trout than the day before. As I fish into the sunset with the Grand Teton's in the background, I know that the first snowfall, and first powder day is just around the corner.

Never been to the Nation's Oldest National Park? Put it on your to do list.

Here is Why:

Six things to take from a 7.5 mile hike

This morning I hiked from the Summit Trail to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. This trail head starts at the base of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The 7.5 hike is a consistent uphill grade, covering 4,139 feet to the top of the mountain. It was certainly not an easy hike by any means, and was something that I had been looking forward to accomplishing. There are six things that I took from my day on the mountain.

1.) Always Be Aware:
With recent bear activity in the area the smart thing would be to hike with a friend. I did not have anyone to hike with on this Tuesday, but I had bear spray on me and was sure to make plenty of noise on the trail. It can be nerve racking knowing there is bear activity in the area where you are hiking, but that comes with the inherited risk of what you are doing in the first place. Coming across a bear is a rare occurrence but as a hiker you need to be ready and know how to react if the situation arises.

2.) Take in what you’re doing:
This was a very strenuous hike. In order to get the most of it, I found it helpful to stop on occasion for a break and take in what I was doing; hiking to the Summit of one of the most amazing ski mountains in the world.


3.) Compare the summer mountain to the winter mountain:
It was a unique experience to take in the mountain and all of its glory during the summer. It has a totally different feel and look than it does in winter but it is an awesome experience to see the runs that I am used to skiing up close and without snow on them. Just a few short months and I will be skiing this mountain day in and day out.

4.) The last Mile; Push hard don’t look back:
The last two miles of the hike was a steeper vertical incline. The sun was becoming warmer, the a and the thought of reaching the summit began to linger in my head. I had to concentrate on each step to stay focused. I couldn’t come all this way and not reach my goal of summiting the mountain. I focused on finishing what I had started and before I knew it I had summited the mountain.



5.) Take in your accomplishment:



6.) Count the days until ski season begins:

Rivers, Mountains, and Streams: All of the above.

There is something special about living 6,237 feet above sea level. While I have not yet started working in Jackson, there is plenty to keep me busy in the meantime. Every time I get in the car I cross over a river. Every time I blink I see a mountain. Outside my apartment is a window of opportunity so large it is hard to grasp. Going to sleep every night is exciting; getting up in the morning is a thrill.

Most residences in Jackson do not have air conditioning. During the summer and into the early fall there is simply no need as mornings and evening are pleasant as the temperature rises and becomes warm during the day. Come winter the heater will become necessary as heavy snow storms constantly come through with below freezing temperatures.

Whether visiting Jackson or living here no one should be spending time in his or her place of residence during the day. Beyond the city of Jackson you can fly fish, road bike, run, or hike; and that is just during the summer. Sure you might be able to do those things in another city, but in Jackson you can drive twenty-five minutes to Grand Teton National Park and explore one of the most beautiful National Parks in America. Drive beyond Grand Teton and you will find yourself in renown Yellowstone National Park.

Spending time outdoors is something every individual should strive to do. Turn off your television, your computer your phone take in the fresh air and go explore.

Think it’s to hot in August to Ski? I beg to differ; so did they.

On August 22, 2011 I took the tram 4,139 to the top of Rendezvous Mountain at Jackson Hole. I descended 800 feet into Cody Bowl. As I made the trek in the snow packed surface caught my eye; two sets of ski tracks. Two dedicated skiers had hiked a long ways to make just a few turns.


What a great example of the dedication of the sport I love.