I’m not really sure who is out there reading this, but my guess is it’s folks who love the mountains like I do. Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoy this, the 100th post!! When I started blogging a few years ago it was at the request of a sponsor and I wasn’t that excited. I’ve found it to be a fun tool for sharing with friends and family and building a history of adventures. I usually don’t do much more than pics to tell the story, but I’ve been getting lots of questions lately as to why I do what I do. The answer is in the backcountry. If you’ve been out there then you understand. For those who haven’t ventured beyond the ropes this is the best explanation I’ve got for now.
Skiing powder is fun, adventure is great and nature is beautiful. Those are all major reasons why I spend over 100 days a year backcounry skiing. However, the thing I enjoy most is the freedom. With the right gear and snow conditions you can go anywhere and ski anything you want. No tickets to buy, waivers to sign, ski patrol to evade, lift lines to cut or designated runs to follow. Just one huge white covered world to explore, limited only by your will and imagination. And despite all the guessing games beforehand you NEVER know what you will find until you actually go. And I’ve never regretted going (maybe the time I tore my ACL).
Where else is there anything like this, besides in dreams? The choices are yours to make and the consequences yours to keep. Awareness is heightened. Yes, you may get hurt, but you can do that anywhere, even in a world covered in caution signs and slow banners. With risk comes great reward and there are very few places like the backcountry where one can move so freely and reap the direct benefits of the effort expended.
And another great joy is getting out with my brother Jonah and friends and together capturing and share beautiful images like these taken here by Andy Jacobsen. But don’t worry, I’ll keep my day job skiing and try to limit the inspirational speaking to the occasional blog post. Enjoy!
- Shot of the day with the Sundial for a back drop! The journey to get it was the real story.
- We hiked up Little Pine chute to try and find settled pow on the upper northern slopes.
- The chute was full of slide debris and much more difficult than we had hoped.
- The rock made for ‘easier’ going in places.
- Hydration is key, but the new pack is too small to carry a water bottle.
- Cool rime ice formed from the wet storms we’ve been having.
- Andy wins the uphill battle.
- Andy topping out after a long 3,000ft climb.
- Searching around a bit to find a good spot for dropping the North side.
- This is the highest wisdom that I own; freedom and life are earned by those alone who conquer them each day anew. -Goethe-
Noah, I finally took the time to discover your blog, and it is so fabulous I had to comment. Your insightful writing is excellent, and the pictures are fantastic. Thanks for sharing your world with the rest of us. Skiing was my passion when I was in school in Michigan and that was just on little hills. After moving to Hawaii, I had nighttime dreams of skiing for decades. Love your title, “near-life experiences”. Aloha, Gret
Skiing 100 days a year, and only posting once per month. As your sponsor, I am requesting you post more. This is non-negotiable.
Noah- Jeff Taylor here. Long lost childhood friend from Walker. Congrats on #100, been following for a while now and thought I’d drop a note. Love to hook on a mt somewhere w/ ya.
Ah, you hit the nail on the head with this post. I never feel more alive than when I am by myself in the woods, listening only to the sound of my skis on the snow, and my breath in the cold air.
I love it!
Blogging is definitely a fun was to chronicle the adventures. I’m new to the Wasatch, and found your blog earlier this winter… its inspiring and had given me plenty of ideas / stoke. I really like the way you think outside the box and push yourself to do some awesome things in the mountains. Keep it rolling!
Very nice! I’m not sure that you can explain/rationalize this kind of activity to anyone who doesn’t already do it…One of those experiential types of practice that one can’t get from reading a book or even watching it in a movie…
I think the back country skiers have found the spirit of the true alpinist that Messner thought had died…
Hey Noah
“I’m not really sure who is out there reading this” well, im sitting in my office in London UK reading your posts. Loving it – keep up the good work!
Rich
Thanks Rich!