My first backcountry ski adventure

Those of you who know Brad you know he is all about skiing.  For spring break we left the flatness of Iowa and headed to the mountains.  Brad taught me how to backcountry for the first time, he's got a lot of patience.  I've skied before and do alright at a ski resort on groomed trails.  In my younger years I even ventured into the trees and off a few jumps.  Nothing like what Brad does.  But after five years of being gone during winter I was a little rusty.  So we spent christmas getting warmed up and spring break teaching me the ropes of backcountry.

Hat, goggles, backpack, shovel, beacon, skis, 

poles, boots and chocolate...Ready to go!!!

Snowmobiling up Franklin Basin

Unloading the snowmobile.

Checking for avalanches.

I don't have any hiking pictures but this is Brad once we finally got up to the top.  He was very patient while I figured out the whole hiking with skins thing.

Brad on Double Top pointing to his next ski hill. 

Brad heading down.  I had to wait for him to get

 out of Avalanche danger before going

I slowly eased my way down the mountain and

 face planted only a few times.

Eventually I'll get good at this stuff.  It was a lot of fun and I'm getting excited for next year. Brad is trying to find me all the equipment.  I need to get in better shape so I can hike better and not be as sore next time.  Hmmm, I never mentioned the snowmobile rolling over story.