Archive for the 'Random' Category

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Win A Week at CMH via Greg Hill

Published on December 11, 2009 in Random. 4 Comments

A few years ago I had the dream trip of a lifetime – a week with my wife at the Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) Caribou Lodge, which had been described as possibly the best skiing on earth.  In a case of destiny, it was the rainest week in the ENTIRE history of CMH and they refunded/credited all of the guests, but as a snakey, freeloading writer, the offer was not extended to me.  The little wannabe heliskier in me is still crying four years later.

But, here’s another chance.  All you have to do is complete an essay (video?) of why ski touring is so great, and if you win, you’re in.  Greg Hill narrates this video and I’m hoping that next year CMH will offer a contest where you have a chance to win a week of skiing with Greg Hill if you have the winning essay on why heli skiing is so great.  Either way, you can’t lose. Continue reading ‘Win A Week at CMH via Greg Hill’

Fly Chuting?

Published on November 18, 2009 in Random. 1 Comment

Andrew is back from Antarctica and on firm land.  He had a great trip and will report back when he gets back.  Now he is off fly fishing.  He is going to try spotting again so check back for updates.    Polly

Antarctica

Published on November 11, 2009 in Random. 0 Comments

Andrew is having a blast down there but alas the spot doesn’t work at the bottom of the earth.  You can see where his boat is by looking at http://vtrack.gmn-usa.com/cgi-bin/fleet_setup.pl?fleet=iaato&password=ushuaia – they are on the yellow dot “cpa” aka the Clipper Adventurer.  Sounds like the trip is going great (much better than last year!) with sunny skis and good turns so far.    Andrew reported back that it was a bit surreal to be down there and be taking it all in and be in the lap of luxury.    Today they were headed to an area he had been with Doug Stoup back in 2003 where they were in the fog and rain for most of the trip.   Looking forward to seeing the pics!     Will post updates as his adventure continues. . .    Polly

Thunder Skin

Published on October 8, 2009 in Random. 6 Comments

Another favorite image from my two day scanathon, which is now thankfully complete.  From where I now sit I will scan no more forever. Continue reading ‘Thunder Skin’

Look who’s here…

Published on August 27, 2009 in Random. 6 Comments

2009_leaf

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.

Stella Arrives

Published on July 11, 2009 in Random. 19 Comments

The latest family addition arrived the day before yesterday, 9 July 2009.  After a very brief but intense 4-5 hours of labor, Polly gave birth to Stella Rose McLean at 18:35.  Stella came out kicking and screaming, which is a good thing with babies and now both Mom and mini are doing fine.

Polly, Mira and Stella.

Like Mira, it looks like she is going to be a little red head with blue eyes.

Happy turns,

Andrew

Straightchuter gets a summer tune up

Published on July 6, 2009 in Random. 2 Comments

StraightChuter.com has hit a few too many rocks and is in the process of getting a summer base cleaning, edge sharpening, hot waxing and binding check.  Updates will be sporadic while it is in the shop, but it will soon be back better than ever.

Andrew

Back to Civilization

Published on June 11, 2009 in Random. 2 Comments

Last night I got the happy phone call directly from Andrew’s cell phone.   They are back in civilization!   They had a small window to get to the summit and back before the weather was going to change and they pushed and got it done and got back down safe and sound.   I am eagerly awaiting hearing about the trip, seeing photos and hearing about the weather.    The Sultana ridge is a very exposed spot- it gets weather from the north and the south.   There is no real weather indicators other than their barometers – which I assume they were using and getting updates from the north (Denali recreation forecast) and the south (Talkeetna).  But the distances are far and I’m sure that Denali creates it own weather.    In any case, they are down and out.     So the next post will probably be from the man himself sometime early next week.   Even Mira recognizes that he was having fun out there – when we talk about where Daddy is – she says: skiing, wheee!    Polly

Back to base camp

Published on June 9, 2009 in Random. 9 Comments

Looks like they made it safe and sound!    Just got a “spot” that they are down back at base camp.    My guess is that they took down their camp on the top of Mt. Crosson and made it back down to their main base camp today.  Can’t wait to see the pics and hear about their time out there.   What a great accomplishment for the entire team and assuming Andrew skied down (and how else would he descend?), he is the only person to have skied Denali (the father), Sultana/Foraker (the mother) and Hunter (the child)!   Pretty cool.  

Polly

Top of the mother!!

Published on June 8, 2009 in Random. 5 Comments

I’ve been getting “SPOT” -we’re ok messages from andrew (posted below) and you can see how they have made it up to the top and are on their way down!   I also got a voice message from him last night – they were at the base of Foraker on the Sultana Ridge and were planning on pushing through this morning and skiing down today (monday).  

As always the weather has been very unpredictable.  I’ve been trying to figure out what the denali recreation forecast means, and then what it will mean for them on Foraker.   On Denali, a low pressure trough was suppose to come in this afternoon from the South, and then go to the North.   Hopefully, it stayed stable enough for them until they can get back to the top of Crosson. 

The progression is pretty cool to see – those guys climb fast!  They started on Saturday and went strong every day.    Looking forward to hearing that they’ve made it all the way down safe and sound, and then hearing about all of their adventures.   Way to go!!!! 

Polly

Time:06/05/2009 23:40:04 (America/Phoenix)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=62.9896,-151.2332&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Time:06/06/2009 18:30:25 (America/Phoenix)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=63.0135,-151.2813&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

Time:06/07/2009 16:27:57 (America/Phoenix)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=62.9893,-151.3345&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

*****SUMMIT*****Time:06/08/2009 11:15:57 (America/Phoenix)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=62.9603,-151.3986&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

 Time:06/08/2009 14:28:55 (America/Phoenix)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=62.9904,-151.3338&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1