Brooks is now fully acclimated and has earned his clean bill of health. Finally, our little family has arrived back home.
Brooks Works his Lungs During his First Hike: Split Rock, WY
Brooks gave all of us quite a scare at first. Soon after the normal delivery process, Brooks had trouble breathing. So, the wonderful and supportive Lander Valley Regional Hospital medical staff recommended a Life Flight to the Presbyterian/ St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver.
Loading the Lear Jet to Denver
Dad flew with baby to Denver while Mom rested up and drove down the very next day.
Wings Over Lander: Our First Flight Together
Brooks and family set up base camp at the NICU hospital unit for a few days while the doctors monitored progress and the nursing staff coached Mom and Dad through baby 101: nursing, changing diapers, how to function on sleep deprivation, etc.
Hopefully our Next Chopper Ride will be to Remote/ Unskied Peaks
Brooks is now at home and doing all those things newborn babies do: eating, pooping, sleeping, crying, squirming… and keeping Mom and Dad from a full night’s sleep.
Papa and Baby
Kerry and I have been so thankful for all the kind and loving support from family, friends and medical staff who’ve helped us along our journey.
Grandpa Red Feeds the Hungry Man
Thank you all for your generosity and good karma. We’re sending our gratitude via our prayers to the Creator… “please look after all of our loved ones and bring them happiness and health.”
Brooks was born, in Lander, on October 15 at 2:25 a.m. He weighs 7.9 lbs. and is 19.5 inches long.
Of course, he is very handsome!
At first, Brooks wasn’t so sure about the whole breathing thing and how it works; so off he went with his proud new dad, via Lear Jet and helicopter, to St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver.
Mom followed closely behind, and we are all together now in Denver. Brooks is feisty and making steady progress. We’ll be here for the next few days while he gets used to being in the world.
Wyoming backcountry is getting into full swing for sure We have had two weekends of knee to thigh deep powder, and continuous storms for those two weeks. Two feet of fresh! In my opinion, we couldn’t ask for a better base than what we are getting. Everyday has yielded three to six inches of new snow that is keeping the depth hoar to a minimum. The BIG lines are starting to fill in, and we are waiting for them.
Our quick pits have come up pretty clean with a crust at 30 cm (from the ground) with all fresh snow on top of that (1-2 feet). We have been keeping an eye on the ground layer, which usually MAD depth hoar in Wyoming thanks to our continental snow pack. There are some crystals growing near the ground, but seem to be rounding and looking good with not much growth. Enough of the snow-nerd-ology and now on with the pictures from this last weekend. One word: DREAMY.
Friday night, my friends Matt and Kerry, stayed at my ranch just down the road from Togwotee Pass. The drive in was sweet and we could see that Togwotee Pass was still getting hammered.
Behind our lodge rests Togwotee Pass and Pinnacle Buttes which you cannot see due to heavy snow and a big storm.
Wysplit_ride and co. head out of the ranch to Togwotee. Nothing but smiles for miles.
Skinning into camp. Not bluebird, but powder bird for sure. Nice to be camping in the elements again.
The women folk stoked to be taking shots in a warm environment.
Outside of camp rests the powder. Looks like the middle of January, but it is ONLY the first of November. SICK!
OH my Jah! Look at that line and it is still puking out. Yah bradda! The goods.
Nick and Matt looking at the candy.
Now to the drop sequence. This was one of the best powder shots that I have skied. A beautiful ridge line with an avalanche path. Excellent in good conditions.
Matt dropping it like its hot. Tele to the people.
A scenic shot of the big lines starting to fill in nicely…Looking forward to dropping these lines in a couple more weeks if conditions allow it.
Nick with the point (I heard everyone’s doin’ it). I think that he is giddy in this photo…or just ready to giddy up and let ‘er buck stylieeee.
Great weekend with tons of powder shots for sure. Sorry now splitboarding photos this week because I was manning the camera and working on my randonnee skills for the hell of it (definitely not a weekly addiction). Hope you all enjoy and get out and get you some of that! Happy trails .
Note: I’m attempting to compile and archive various meaningful Trip Reports, Photos, Etc. from past experiences… all credits are noted below
TR: Game On in Wyoming
Riders: Wysplit_ride, Matt Lloyd, Sade’ dog
Words: Wysplit_ride
Togwotee Pass, WY
Well, my shakes are doing better from my lack of turns. Another Halloween and without fail, the Wyoming backcountry got hammered with about a foot and half of new snow. The north facing tree shots were on and deep. No tricks and only treats for the crew. On our drive up to the pass, I was thinking, “Ohhh this is going to be a nice DRY hike for the day. Glad I brought my rock board.” As we came up further on the pass it was puking and it only got better as the day went on.
Last week, the weather looked like this…notice the moose? I was getting shakes from not getting in any decent turns in October.
Hang loose…we would not know how good it was truly going to be.
Skinning up…it is only getting deeper
Yah…bro, it is kinda deep…feeling good to be breaking trail again
I was not the only one stoked…check out this dog happy to be back in his element.
Skin track up, and up
Part TWO
Wysplit_ride dropping with smiles!
Matt wearing his hunter orange hat…yep..still hunting season. I kept yelling, “I am not an elk!” Below this shot Matt ran across a big wolf…gotta love Wyoming.
Drop that line…end the shakes!
Sick day for sure…Game is on in Wyoming…happy turnin’ and Halloween.
Note: I’m attempting to compile and archive various meaningful Trip Reports, Photos, Etc. from past experiences… all credits are noted below
TR: Wonderful Wyoming
2/5/06
photos by: Wysplit_ride, Jeff Vanuga, Matt Lloyd
words by: Wysplit_ride
Wyoming is truly like no place on earth. It ceases to amaze me every time that I drive from home to Togwotee Pass how different the low lands are from the mountains. It can be 50 degrees at my house with no snow and as soon as you get close to the Continental Divide the landscape and precipitation drastically change. Like they say around here, “If you don’t like the weather…wait five minutes.” Such is true about driving through Wyoming.
Badlands before Togwotee Pass:
Togwotee Pass
From desert, to badlands, to MOuntain Magic:
Morning skin:
Into clouds and a wonderland:
Nick drops it like it’s hot:
Wyomingsplit_ride getting some of that goodness:
Jeff throwing down some soul:
Wyomingsplit_ride finds his peaceful place:
Rob dropping his first backcountry turns in his life. Another addict:
Wyomingsplit_ride chasing roosters:
Nick with the mandatory POINT:
Splitboarders with antennas unite:
Nick dropping the main avalanche path…conditions a “go”:
1300 foot avi path all the way to the highway:
Thank goodness, in Wyoming, we don’t have the I-70 traffic to deal with. Just empty highways and byways:
I‘ve always wanted to slide on snow each month of the year. And with a new little ski partner on the way this fall, I’ve been accomplishing my various random and off-the-wall personal ski goals.
Medicine Bow Peak Couloirs
Working as a fishing and backcountry hiking/climbing guide for the Old Baldy Club near Snowy Range Pass this summer, I have the unique opportunity to easily access the snowfields and couloirs on Medicine Bow Peak, elevation 12, 102′.
Lucas Points Out Possible Glissading Runs
Throughout the month of July, I lead clients on numerous hiking and climbing trips to the summit of Medicine Bow Peak. And although I didn’t slide back down the mountain’s snowfields on a pair of skis during the month of July, I was able to glissade over 6,000′ with my clients.
Lucas Shows Proper Glissading Technique
Glissading is just a fancy term for sledding down snow on your butt. Most of my Old Baldy Club hiking and fishing clients are from Texas. And sliding down snow in the middle of July is a novel highlight for everyone. Proper glissading technique is usually a faster and easier method for descending a mountain and is also important for safely controlling your speed during your descent.
August 16 or October 16???
Now, the middle of August has already come and past. And Mother Nature recently brought some rare summer snow to the high peaks to aid me in accomplishing my goal. A cold front blew through Wyoming on the weekend of August 14 and 15. The storm finally cleared out the morning of August 16 leaving sparkling sunny-blue skies and up to six inches of fresh snow in the highest elevations.
A Dusting of Wyoming Summer Snow
I had no choice but to seize the opportunity to ski fresh August powder. I woke at 5AM, quickly grabbed my winter ski gear and headed for the mountains.
Six Inches of Fresh Snow at the Trailhead
Snowy Range Pass is a phenomenal area to work on earning yer summer turns. The Lake Marie parkingarea puts the prospectiveve skier, climber and hiker just yards away from the spectacular craggy and couloir laden granite walls of Medicine Bow Ridge. Now, I’m sure every inch of this area has been climbed and skied because of this easy access. And I know the established areas named School House Rock and The Diamond have exposed trad climbing routes. I’ve also heard the numerous couloirs in the region have names… although I have no idea what they are.
Warning Sign
The funny thing about this close proximity to the highway is that people tend to congregate at the bottom to watch me ski. I counted over 20 people snapping pictures and cheering me on at one point. I’ve always enjoyed the peace and solitude of backcountry skiing. And I think having anticipating crowds watching me climb and ski these steep cornice capped couloirs is more unnerving than actually dropping in. But it’s an ego booster hearing those hoots, hollers and whistles at the bottom of each run.
One Last Remaining Late Summer Couloir (Can You Spot All My Tracks?)
Only one couloir currently remains filled in to the top. So, my choice was easy. Hike on over to the base, strap on the helmet, ice axe and crampons, and start climbing.
A Self Portrait Silhouetted on Pow There was just over 1,000' of vertical to ski with a few separate branches towards the top of the couloir for three different variations. The climbing was easy. However, sneaking around the 20' cornice at the top proved to be more exposed than I had originally thought. Going climbers right, I was able to front-point and sink each ice axe for security through the final 60 degree push to the top. This was definitely a "no fall zone" as exposed granite rock lay just below. Skinny But Ski-Able
Dropping in at the top gets the blood pumping. Nothing like 60 degree turns with rock below to focus your thoughts.
At the Top: 1,120' of Snow Sliding Awaits
Things mellow out after the initial entrance around the 20′ cornice and into the couloir. The remainder of the run was beautiful “dust on crust” powder skiing on a 40-50 degree pitch.
After a few runs skiing the couloir’s three separate 1000′ variations, temperatures began to warm and rockfall and new snow sloughing began to concern me. I decided to bite off a few final laps on the couloir’s aprons… earning me between 3,000′ and 4,000′ for my morning’s efforts.
Looking Up After a Few Wonderful Summer Turns
Upon returning back down to the SaratogaValley and the North Platte River that afternoon, I was greeted with the season’s first Blue Wing Olive dry-fly hatch. So, I grabbed my fly rod and rounded out the day catching rainbows and browns on a size #20 blue wing pattern.
Releasing Mr. Rainbow Trout Back to His Home
These days, almost everyone to whom I speak about having a child (it’s a boy!) says, “just you wait, your life is about to change.” I guess they’re probably right. My life IS about to change. And I think Kerry and I are aware of what we’re getting ourselves into. We’re trying to come to grips with having to let go of some of our individual life’s pleasures in order to make room for our new life pleasure… our newborn child’s desires.
A Self Portrait On the River
I can only hope that both Kerry and I can continue to fit in some time for things like fishing, skiing and just chillin’ with each other in addition to being “that” young and perfect family. Most importantly, I hope to find time with my new son to appreciate the outdoors and natural world. There will be so much to discover together!
We have had two weekends of knee to thigh deep powder, and continuous storms for those two weeks. Two feet of fresh! In my opinion, we couldn’t ask for a better base than what we are getting. Everyday has yielded three to six inches of new snow that is keeping the depth hoar to a minimum. The BIG lines are starting to fill in, and we are waiting for them.
.
livethedreamcafe
