The New Yawka in Arizona Thread.

So I really like this forum and since you guys are so far from AZ I'm not afraid to post up my current adventures or project lines. We have a new group of local kids that are going to give us a run for our money this season it looks like so I'm going to be a bit guarded on what I put out there in cyberspace. Plus, I really like it here, there isn't a whole lot of attitude and the little that there is pretty entertaining anyways. Also, Harv seems like a very cool person and I like supporting his site. So here is some Arizona stoke for ya!

I have been posting a few things on Epic but I will likely put more in here. I would post some stuff on TGR but there system is a big pia. I'll keep this updated throughout the season if people seem to enjoy it.

So to start things off this is a pic I posted up in the Woodstove last week of my first day out for the season.


One from last May. We have been getting quite a bit of moisture here since last spring. This is local legend Ken Lane skinning up through the Aspens. Ken has been skiing the back country here for 30 years, maybe more. He was also a klunker in the late 70's early 80's when mountain biking was in it's infancy.


Some pics from last summer. Once my summer class ended I got to do a bunch of exploring and fun family time.

Two from the summit of Humps.


This is one of my favorite photos of this past year. Ravens are rad.


Climbing up through the Dunnam Canyon Hourglass on the Hourglass Route. This is a classic ski descent in the winter. The rock I'm climbing on gets covered in snow creating a sweet ramp through the chute.
 



This pic is from a hike we put together that connected all 6 of the highest summits on the Peaks. I have wanted to do this hike for around 14 years now. I believe these prayer flags are a memorial for a local tele skier that died here last winter while on a ski tour.


My girls watching the sunset while out backpacking.


This is one from the summit of Mount Elden while picking up the shuttle truck after a good long ride.


Here are few from the Solstice bike ride loop. It goes completely around the Peaks and is probably around 50 miles. all of it's on dirt and a little more than half is on singletrack.

The tunnel on Waterline road. This road climb is about 14 miles long but it's so gradual you barely know you are going uphill. It's a pleasure climb for sure.


The Peaks from the 418 Road.


This is the Inner Basin Trail. After climbing the Waterline Road you get to descend two miles down this in one of Arizona's largest Aspen stands.


A little horny toad.


The Peaks again from the 418.

raisingarizona wrote

 

One from last May. We have been getting quite a bit of moisture here since last spring. This is local legend Ken Lane skinning up through the Aspens.


 

Cool shot --- I love Aspen/Poplar trees

A few from this past fall. It was quite the show up on the Peaks this year.


This one is of the north facing shoulder of Doyle Peak. These trees are well spaced for skiing. It's sort of like skiing Shadows or Closets at Steamboat but with zero traffic.


This is a historical basque sheep herder dendroglyph I found while out bushwhacking.


The Peaks from the Jedi Trail off the Dry Lake Hills.


My lady hiking up the Inner Basin trail.

And two from yesterday to get current on the thread. I set my alarm for 3:45 to get some dawn patrol action. I was skinning by 5:15. I thought I would be alone up there but I found someone in front of me towards the summit! I managed to score first tracks down White Lightning, a narrow and steep (usually bumped up) run that reminds me a lot of skiing out east.

The summit was FRIGID! Winds were gusting between 60 to 80 mph I'm guessing.


My apres breakfast beer at 7:50 AM.


I love the preseason skinning days. It's nice to be on your home hill without anyone but a few locals and to start getting into touring shape before it really hits. It's also really cool to ski the in bounds trails with back country like conditions.

Your killing me dude. It's warm and wet here. Weather not good for much of anything at this point.

Cool idea AZ. Please keep this thread going as it will help to entertain these guys whilst they wait for the WROD to open here in the North East.  I gots deer to kill so I'm all set until christmas

raisingarizona wrote

 

My apres breakfast beer at 7:50 AM.

Man after my own heart right there ---- You can't drink all day unless you start in the morning

Man after my own heart right there ---- You can't drink all day unless you start in the morning


HAHA! I agree but it does get really difficult to remain composed at 4 in the afternoon during apres at the lodge!

raisingarizona wrote

Man after my own heart right there ---- You can't drink all day unless you start in the morning

HAHA! I agree but it does get really difficult to remain composed at 4 in the afternoon during apres at the lodge!


It takes time to get used to that

Nice goin' AZ.   You live in a beautiful part of the country.  This is exactly what we need, stoke.

Yes. Please continue posting in this thread. I definitely enjoy it.  Seeing your exploits in the SW is going to make us drool all winter long given the El Nino forecast.

raisingarizona wrote

Woah great pics! Sweet keep it up.

Will do. I probably won't have many action shots of primo conditions, I'm going to be focussed on getting video shots for a season edit but I will get plenty of scenics and terrain shots.

For those of you bumming about your weather I feel your pain! We had four and a half years of very dry weather. Not every year can be banger, maybe try some new activities. Bad seasons or stretches are a good time to branch out and broaden your horizons. I really believe that life is too short to be focussed on only a few things or even worse....one. There are so many incredible experiences to have outside of skiing. Oh and it's only November! It will come. I guess Gladerunner is going to be heartbroken about the number of days he gets!

raisingarizona wrote

 

This is a historical basque sheep herder dendroglyph I found while out bushwhacking.


 

Am I the only one that had to google this??
http://www.nps.gov/grba/learn/historyculture/basque-sheepherder-aspen-carvings.htm

Cool shit right there

I was wondering if anyone would look into that. I had never heard of the culture or practice of it here in the states until I moved here. There are all sorts of cool carvings in the area from the sheep herders, a lot of them are pornographic. It makes sense, those guys would be out in the woods with just there sheep all summer long.

raisingarizona wrote

I was wondering if anyone would look into that. I had never heard of the culture or practice of it here in the states until I moved here. There are all sorts of cool carvings in the area from the sheep herders, a lot of them are pornographic. It makes sense, those guys would be out in the woods with just there sheep all summer long.

Some guys have all the luck

very funny...awesome photos...heading to Colorado for first 3 weeks of dec. (summit county) will try to learn how to post photos and videos

I got out for a ride in Sedona yesterday with a middle school/high school friend of mine yesterday. He now lives in Durango and this was his first time in Sedona, we rode High Line. High Line is an outstanding rip and most would agree one of the top 3 trails in Arizona. I have been riding a lot down there the last two weeks and have been showing a lot of old friends around that are getting away from their home mountain towns for the shoulder season. We are at 556% of our normal snowpack so I might be done with the bike for a while. It's time to ski!

4 AM alarm for dawn patrol before my 8:30 Biology class.

Some damn good skiing here right now, today was the deepest yet and it looks like another larger system might come in next week. It's looking like a typical big ElNino year now, Stoked!



This is why I love this place, you are riding bikes one day and two days later you are skiing bottomless powder snow. Living in 1 hours driving distance to 7 different climate zones has it's perks.

There is an Article in the new Powder Magazine, entitled,"Tranquillo" about skiing in your neck of the woods. Mentions and has a picture of your boy, Ken Lane.