Z-Man Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Trip: Western wanderings - Date: 5/12/2012 Trip Report: I've spent the last year traveling across the Western U.S. for school and have had a chance to explore some great mountains while I did it. The trips started last Summer with a trip to California. On the previously unknown to me NWF of W Shepherd's Crest. My buddy Dr. J likes to find the "overlooked" climbs and then suggest we go do them. The solidity of the routes found by this method has varied dramatically, but it has always led to fun adventures. Shepherd's Crest was good by every measure. A little more mainstream, the South Face of Charlotte Dome. Ultra mainstream on Cathedral Peak, the good Dr. was crying a little bit on the inside to have to resort to something so close to the road, but we took a line well away from the other 20 or so parties and he smiled the whole way up. Granite Peak, MT. Great peakbagging trip in what looks like the premier mountains for alpine climbing in Montana. Middle Teton from the top of the Enclosure. Another peakbagging trip in an awesome alpine setting. Managed to run up Hood a few times as well, the Old Chute on Veteran's Day. Illumination Saddle from the Reid Headwall later in the Winter. Ending up spending a few weekends in Bozeman hanging out with old friends and making new ones. Made it out to Cody for more ice. Two ice trips out that way and still lots on the list. Anchorage was a spectacular place for climbing and skiing. the NWF of O'Malley Eklutna Canyon Indianhead Peak Turnagain Pass Flattop Idaho's been good too, great spring skiing above 10000' in the Sawtooths and fun climbing in the Lost River Range. Williams Peak Mount Cramer Peak 10129 White Line Couloir on Peak 11308 NF of Borah So much to do so much to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123tom Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Wow looks like an awesome year. good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanl Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 (edited) Trip: It's about time. Great to hear from you Aaron. Looks like a great year Edited May 14, 2012 by ryanl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spionin Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 wow. did you even go to school? looks awesome, z, can't wait for your return (read: doug needs a skiing partner, i'm out of commission for the season)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbcbd Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hey buddy, good work making med school seem like a walk in the park, a ski in the couloir, a climb on a face, etc. "doug needs a skiing partner" ...not to mention climbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainsloth Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 yea, grad school for me did not look anything like this. Impressive sacrifices must have been made to do that much traveling while in school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Man Posted May 15, 2012 Author Share Posted May 15, 2012 (edited) That's the best part, school provided for my travel to these places and places to live. In return I just have to give them 20 grand a year and 70-80 hours a week of my time. I get one day off most weeks and I put it to use. I knew you'd appreciate the new sticks Ryan. Also enjoyed you bringing some of that philosophy out again, http://www.skisickness.com/post/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=342&sid=4b62e691ee2ec0765cc8e02c64cebe8a , really liked this post. Phew, I was worried you weren't going to slow down at all V. I was envisioning you with a BCA airbag strapped to your front still sending. I'll be working mostly back at the UW starting in July, will still have that 1 day a week... Edited May 15, 2012 by Z-Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spionin Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Phew, I was worried you weren't going to slow down at all V. I was envisioning you with a BCA airbag strapped to your front still sending. I'll be working mostly back at the UW starting in July, will still have that 1 day a week... yup-yup! but really, it's just a 15-lb training weight. no biggie see you around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Man Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 I spoke too soon, Mother's Day indeed! Nice dress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denalidave Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wfinley Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Nice to see the backyard (Flattop) included with peaks like Middle Teton and Granite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Man Posted May 18, 2012 Author Share Posted May 18, 2012 Good stuff is good stuff, no matter the elevation. I was able to have good 2000' backcountry runs 3 hours door to door from where I was living in downtown anchorage on Flattop, P2, and P3. While I am told that the snow in the Anchorage front range was unusually abundant and stable this late winter, it was nonetheless nearly perfect and soft virtually every time I went out for almost 2 months. As long as I didn't mind missing sleep, with the late daylight hours in that crazy timezone I could still get out once a week after work for the goods. While I enjoy running Tiger when I'm living in Seattle, I thought this was more fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wfinley Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Yes - you came for a good year. We're still able to ski road to summit & back on Peak 3. Not bad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake_Gano Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I like the Eklutna picture Glad you had fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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