HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY ETHAN!!!

Ethan's ad in today's paper

Grandma Tam and Madi-cakes

Happy birthday to our "Big E" who turns 7 today. We love you Ethan Rewi!

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Moab, Part 2

Madi and a content Izzy

Indian Writings

You guessed it…

Corona Arch

Bowtie Arch

So we've been back for 3 days now and I'm finally getting a few minutes to jot down the second part of our trip.

After our day trip to Goblin Valley/Little Wild Horse Canyon, Tuesday night was spent hoping the damn trailer wouldn't blow away in the 50 mph gusts of wind that reeked havoc outside. Ethan kept asking us if we were going to blow away and die, lol.

Wednesday morning the wind was still howling so we took our time getting ready for the day. Going into town was starting to become bothersome with the hordes of rock crawling rednecks. (Note to self: never go to back to Moab during Jeep week). Mullets have given way to goatees to hid double chins on aging men. Despite the weather and visions of mullets, we headed to the trails along the the river road.

First was a jaunt up to see the dinosaur tracks at the Poison Spider Mesa pullout. However, it was the Indian writings that really caught our attention their. Next, we headed about 20 miles upstream to the Fisher Towers trail near Castle Valley. ET, Izzy-dog and I made a short quick hike to inspect them while Madi and Britt napped in the truck – I can't believe people actually find joy in climbing those crumbling, petrified mud-laden towers. I'll take Idaho limestone any day over that nonsense. To end the day off we stopped at the Negro Bill trailhead and slowly made our way uptrail. This trail is really mellow and has a creek flowing through it. Izzy can smell water a mile away and she was begging to be taken off the leash. So I let her go for it and man she went lolo! She loves water and hasn't had a chance to swim in a long time. Of course, you know what happens when a dog gets out of the water – roll in anything and everything. Needless to say she was a dirty but happy dog.

When we awoke Thursday, thoughts of languishing in the desert sun were once again annihilated by the BLIZZARD that swept through the area. We had to get out of the trailer so we went to town and played tourist. We even made the drive to the Hole-in-the-Rock store but quickly realized how much of a tourist-money-gouging-trap it is. So to lift spirits we headed to the Moab Brewery and enjoyed a glass of Moab-brewed beverage. Plus, ate the best hummus plate I have ever laid into. That place is rad. Afterward, we decided to say "screw it" and headed up to Deadhorse Point. The weather cleared when we got there (it was still cold though) and I thought Britt was going to have a heart attack due to Madi and Ethan getting so close to the precipice. If you happened to go over the brink, at least there would be enough time to enjoy the view before you know what. And that was how we spent Thursday in Moab.

Friday brought clear skies and a lot less wind so we headed to check out an arch named Corona. We had originally planned on doing Delicate Arch but both Britt and I had already been there and we wanted something a little less popular. So on a tip from our West Valley, UT neighbors at the RV park, we went for it. And it was good.

The hike is 1.5 miles one way and you only gain 400 feet. Super easy. Madi walked the whole thing (at least on the way in). There is an adjacent arch there as well named Bowtie Arch but the business is all in Corona Arch. There is a picture in the diner in Moab of some chap flying his single engine plane through the arch! Lolo for sure brah! Anyway, it didn't let us down and we highly recommend it to anyone who likes to see cool things.

Afterwards, it was one more quick bouldering session at Big Bend and then off to town to the brewery again for our last meal in Moab. As far as the bouldering at Big Bend goes, I don't see why some call it "world class" 'cuz it ain't. Not bad and sure, there are a number of problems I can't do but I certainly would drive all the way to Moab just for bouldering (plus the locals are kind of stuck up).

Overall the trip was a success in terms that the kids both loved it and I'm quite sure it left a positive impression on them because they didn't want to leave.

If you want to check out all the pics from the trip I've got them on our Picasa Web Album here.

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Moab, Part 1 Video

Here's the video I tried to post a few days ago of the first half of our Moab trip.

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Moab, Part 1

Life in the Palomino

What choo you lookin' at sucka?

Big Bend Bouldering

Park Avenue, Arches Park

Cool buttes, crazy kids

Madeline in Arches Park

Sunday morning found us jetting out of town before the roosters were up, burning rubber south to the outdoor playground of Moab, Utah. It is Ethan's spring break and our plan is to spend the week in the land of Edward Abbey – desert slickrock, lizards, sand and rednecks. Yup, you read it right, rednecks,

We had planned this trip for quite some time and as the trip got closer, we found out that the Jeep Safari Week was right when we were planning our trip to Moab. "Screw it", we said. We figured we wouldn't be out where all the rock crawlers were anyway (nothing against them, mind you). And so far our plan has worked out great.

On this camping trip we were trying something new – a tent trailer on loan from Britt's parents. The "Palamino" is it's name and chilaxin' is it's game. Pretty swank for the Westside TeNgaio's. It has come in handy for the wind that has picked up since yesterday.

Anyway, we made in on Sunday to great sunny weather. Monday we hit Arches Park and checked out Park Avenue and the Windows arches. The kids went ape-shit. We had planned on hiking up to Delicate Arch but little Madi was worked, so we are going to do that one on Friday, the day before we leave Moab.

After Arches we took a drive up the Colorado River to the Big Bend area to "just check out" the bouldering area. It just happened that I had our climbing shoes and crash pad in the back of the truck and the weather was perfect so… We had a blast. I have no idea what I problems I did/tried but they were pretty fun. Nothing like Stonewalls though, lol. Ethan and Madeline loved scrambling around on the small blocs and chasing lizards. Plus, we drove past several sweet camping spots that we are keeping in mind for the next visit Moab.

Yesterday (Tuesday) we headed out to Goblin Valley and Little Wildhorse Canyon. Goblin valley is home to funky hobbit-like, mushroom shaped eroded sandstone features that makes a great playground for kids. Trust me, if you haven't been there it is worth the minimal effort to go see it. After Goblin Valley came a mellow hike up a slot canyon name Little Wildhorse. Popular with kids as the hiking is very easy and there are spots in the canyon that are truly "slot" specific – areas along the hike where you have to turn your torso 90˙ to get through spots. That and the features of the sandstone make for an awesome family hike, hell, even Izzy dog came along and loved it.

Today (Wednesday) is a chill day. I'm trying to upload a video of our trip so far but the wi-fi here at the campground (yeah, we're really roughing it, eh?) is horrible. The weather is still windy and now overcast. Tomorrow is supposed to be the same but rainy and then Friday it's forecasted to improve so we are hoping to hike Delicate Arch then.

(edit) So the video upload thing ain't gonna work. I'll have to wait until we get back to I.F. when we have a decent connection.

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Super Gully Ski/Snowboard Descent

Link to higher-res video via YouTube

I finally got the opportunity yesterday to snowboard a line that's become somewhat of a classic descent line in the area – Super Gully on Lost River Peak (12,078') in the Lost River Range (home to Mt. Borah and other 12,000+' peaks).

Many moons ago Painter and I spent a summer peak bagging all the 12,000' peaks in Idaho. I clearly remember hiking/scree skiing down the Super Gully after a successful summit bid thinking how rad it would be to come back when there's snow on the peak and snowboard it.

This past winter's snow pack has been rather dismal, with an ever-present bottom layer of faceted snow local backcountry stashes have been rather bleak. I was still surprised at just how little snow there was on the mountain though. Fortunately, there was just enough to ski.

The trip was an "alpine start". Waking up at 3:00 a.m. to go skiing may seem just plain wrong to some but it's what's necessary to take advantage of firm snow to climb on before the sun softens it. Leaving the car at about 5:50 a.m. we found favorable climbing conditions that allowed us to summit at about 10 a.m. with plenty of time to rest and let the sun soften the snow for the ride down.

With a light haze filtering the sun we figured it wasn't going to soften much (unless we wanted to hang around until 3 p.m. or so). We were all chomping at the bit to ski so after about 45 minutes on top, we saddled up and hit it.

The upper-third of the peak was pretty damn hard riding due to concrete conditions and irregular formations on the snow surface. It made me a bit more comfortable riding with my axe. However, the lower two-thirds of the gully was great with a solid base and about 2-3 inches of light snow on top it allowed us to open 'er up and link turns.

Back to the car at 12:20 p.m. and then a pit stop in Mackay for some hard earned burgers and fries was the perfect way to end a classic day trip such as this. Thanks for the kick ass adventure amigos!

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Westside A'a

Yesterday Ethan and I took a stroll out on the lava beds just a stones throw from our house. It had been many years since I had been there but I remembered that there were a ton of small caves, holes, small crevasses and just random fun that I thought a 6 year old with a healthy appetite for exploration would enjoy. I was right: Ethan loved it out there and didn't want to go home. I promised him we'd be back though.

If you go wandering out there be aware that the lava rock is of the a'a type, meaning if skin meets rock, you will mutter "ah, ah, ah oww, ah, #%@!"

(I have to figure out why the pics are so blurry in the vid, fix then re-post)

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A Message of Love

First thing I saw when I got out of my car at work this morning. Not bad.

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St. Patty's Day Massacre (Rocks)

Rick Williams sending Run for the Border with elegance and ease.

Onsight of Acapulco Cliff Diving.

Scaling Sticky Situation at Massacre. Video by Scott Stevens.


With a hint of Spring in the air our crew of outdoor hooligans ditched the skis and boards for ropes and 'biners and headed south to Massacre Rocks. Perfect climbing temperatures (55˚-60˚) persuaded us into going for broke and hitting it until we couldn't hang on anymore. We were accompanied by an unexpected winged visitor – a Grey owl. Beautiful birds, I tell you.

The day was given to redpoints, onsights, and hard attempts by all. And with unfinished business, we all plan on returning soon.

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Old Dog, New Tricks

Scott, aka Turbo, making it look easy and graceful thru the funk.

Me, making it look not-so-graceful.

Turbo going up on the Kelly Mtn Highway.

Scott Stevens and I snuck in an early Sunday "sidecountry" ski at Kelly's today. It was my second time on AT gear, (free heels going up, locked heels coming down). I've been toying with the idea of adding AT skis to my winter shenanigans. Thanks to my friend Rick, I've been able to demo his AT gear without committing to spending the moola on it yet. And I've got to say I'm hooked.

Today's off-trail conditions were horrible but it was much better skiing the nasty-crust-make-you-endo-snow with locked heels than my tele gear. I only ate it twice!

2 runs off piste, then 2 on to make the skiing actually enjoyable.

I'm not giving up my splitboard but will certainly be looking for deals on AT gear for next season. Stoked!

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Boy Scout Chute descent

Climbing the couloir.

Dean downclimbing the funk to gain access to the good stuff.

Yours truly descending into the misty chute.

Rick's view of the top of the couloir.

Rick and I climbing near the top of the chute.

Going up!



Video Summary (by Scott Stevens)


Wed. was spent with 3 of my friends who share the same passion of winter back country exploration. Our objective was what locals call Boy Scout Chute, or couloir, (fancy French name for a steep gully or chute) on Treasure Mtn in Teton Canyon that is becoming something of a classic intro into couloir ski descents.

At about 40˚+ the line isn't regarding as a bold descent, but it is just enough for this newbie ski/snowboard mountaineer to keep guard and execute good technique. If you fell and cartwheeled down, you wouldn't die (unless you really racked yourself against the sides of the couloir) but it would certainly hurt.

The approach was easily hastened by towing in on Rick's snowmachine (that was a first for me). We then skinned through the Treasure Mtn. Boy Scout camp to gain access to the lower flanks of the chute. Me, being the hopeful romantic of finding new places to rock climb, had to repeatedly close my gaping jaw as we skied past what looks like nice boulders tailored just for bouldering and 150' limestone cliffs with overhangs. SUMMER RECON!

We donned our skis (board) and started the arduous chore of boot packing straight up the couloir. The snow was actually in good shape for kicking steps and it didn't take us too long to top out. We did find that last 20' of the chute to have faceted snow buried beneath slab conditions though. We continued out past the chute and gained the ridge above in hopes of skiing some nice pow before reentry in to the top of the couloir on our descent.

Snow pits dug on the ridge revealed yellow-red avalanche conditions so we make the decision to call 8,400' our high point.

We enjoyed some awesome thick powder turns before reentry into the Boy Scout chute. We opted to dismount and downclimb through the top 20' of the couloir due to poor snow. However, once below that it was game on and one by one we jumped turned our way down the narrowness while trying to remember to breath! Couloir riding is tough! It was quite a workout trying to keep my edges in control and not lose it. I realized too that my splitboard is too long for such outings: Jump turning on a 171 with T2 tele boots is HARD! Or it's more than likely that my technique just sucks.

All went well through the coilour. Below it we were treated to some fun "pillow" skiing over boulders and then the towed back to the car.

While driving home I took time to reflect what I had learned and where it is that I decide to draw the line when it comes to back country skiing. I am not an adrenaline junkie (like some of my family think I am) but absolutely love self-powered outdoor pursuits that test myself physically and mentally. And on that note, Boy Scout chute delivered. What's next boys?

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