Archive for August, 2009

Imlay Canyon

Imlay Canyon

| August 28, 2009 | 5 Comments

Before being distracted by black books and red leafs, I was talking about slot canyons, and more specifically, the best one I think I’ve ever done – Imlay Canyon in Zion National Park.  I suspect it is other people’s favorite as well, as there is even a Canyoneering company named after it. Utah has had […]

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Look who’s here…

Look who’s here…

| August 27, 2009 | 6 Comments

Noticed today as I was backing out of my driveway.  Goodbye summer – don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

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The Black Book

The Black Book

| August 26, 2009 | 12 Comments

Oh-lala!  A squeeky fresh copy of “The Black Book – Select Lines from Grand Teton National Park” by Conor Miller showed up yesterday and I haven’t been this excited about a ski book for a long time. I saw an early draft at the last OR Show, and although it was about 180 degrees outside, […]

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Canyoneering – Behunin

Canyoneering – Behunin

| August 25, 2009 | 5 Comments

Like Utah powder, I often take Utah slot canyons for granted and at times forget how incredibly cool they are.  For many years, I sat next to Tom Jones who was a softgoods designer at Black Diamond, and towards the end of his tenure there, he progressively got more and more into slot canyons until […]

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Ultra Heavy Backpacking

Ultra Heavy Backpacking

| August 20, 2009 | 13 Comments

Ray Jardine would be spinning in his grave if he saw this, except for the fact that he is still very much alive and hiking.  Ray is a leading proponent of Ultralight Backpacking and often covers up to forty miles a day while carrying an eight-pound pack.  At the other end of the spectrum, I […]

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PackRafts – Small Miracles

PackRafts – Small Miracles

| August 17, 2009 | 12 Comments

I’d heard about PackRafts from a few adventurously inclined people, but didn’t really get the full picture until I was up in Alaska last spring and had a chance to see a real, live version at the AMH store.  In short, PackRafts are very compact, high quality, lightweight personal rafts made out of durable raft […]

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Updated Gear Links

Updated Gear Links

| August 14, 2009 | 2 Comments

Updated links?  I know – pretty damn exciting.  :) When I first started StraightChuter.com, I took my gear lists for day backcountry ski trips, ski expeditions and technical ski descents and put them on the Gear & Food tab (located about an inch directly above here).  Over the last year, the links have all become […]

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Speedweek Follow-up

Speedweek Follow-up

| August 12, 2009 | 3 Comments

A short video from the starting line and a chilling photo from a racing fatality which occurred during Speed Week 2009. From the Salt Lake Tribune: ________________________________ Help support StraightChuter.com and SPEED UP! with Dynafit Low Tech Race Bindings from Backcountry.com. Click on the photo below…

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Bonneville Speed Week

Bonneville Speed Week

| August 10, 2009 | 8 Comments

After living in Utah for almost twenty years, I was stoked to finally make it out to the  Bonneville Salt Flats over the weekend for the world famous Speed Week.  It is one of those places and events that almost defies words.  When you first get there, the perfectly flat, glistening white landscape is so […]

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TroutChuter.com

TroutChuter.com

| August 6, 2009 | 14 Comments

My grandfather grew up in Utah and over a span of years I inherited four unique items from him; a 1969 SS Camero with 16k miles on it, a vintage American flag with 48 stars (when Utah became a state), a fireplace poker set (?) and a custom made RL Winston bamboo fly rod. I […]

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