One thing that is amazing about being back in school for a degree in photography is that, so often, I am able to combine my leisure activities with a homework assignment!
For my Photo Journalism class I have a whole bunch of assignments, one of which is to illustrate a sports story. So I decided to take my camera along on a back-country ski adventure this weekend.
The day started with a drive to road's end at Pilot Creek Trailhead in northern Wyoming. The trailhead gets its name from Pilot Creek (duh!) which in turn gets its moniker from Pilot Peak - seen here in the background. This area is used almost exclusively by snowmobilers this time of year. We were no exception as, to get to a ski-able area, we needed to take our snow machines about 10 miles into Montana, up Daisy Trail to the nose of Henderson Mountain.
This first photo shows the parking lot at the trailhead.
In the second shot you can see Ken driving by on his machine, towing the sled with our skis, backpacks, poles and extra gear.
In the third shot, Ken is headed out on skis to hike up the mountain so we can ski down. Normally breaking trail is a real effort but yesterday the trail was already packed down by snow machines. This was definitely a mixed blessing - it made for an easier up but quite a bumpy down! The snowmobilers are well aware of this year's increased avalanche danger and so they are riding in the trees more than usual. Usually this type of terrain is reserved for those of us without mechanical motors!
Ken is still headed up.
The specialized bindings and boots are what make back country skiing possible. We use a randonee or all terrain system which allows us to release the heel when we climb and lock down - like a downhill ski - when we go down. These bindings are new to us this year. They are Dynafit's; much lighter than the bindings we have been using for the last two decades.
The wind was blowing and Pilot and Index Peaks were just visible from the top of our slope.
The other component of a back-country system is the skins. They have glue on the bottom which allows them to adhere to the bottom of the skis on the uphill climb. They add weight to the skis but it would not be possible without them. They are removed and stored in a backpack or inside your coat as you ski down.
Ken is finding some powder.
Enjoying the ride!
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