THE APOGEE

I had wanted to ski the South Face of Mount Woodring ever since I stood on the summit of Rockchuck Peak many years ago. I dreamed of skiing this beautiful 2,000-foot fall line in perfect corn, straight down toward a frozen Holly Lake under a beaming blue sky. Maybe dreams come true...

For my first few weeks back in the Tetons, it’s been pretty damn good. I skied 4,000 feet of corn off Mount Saint John, had multiple powder days on Glory, and now found myself on another mission in the park with Charlie. The forecast called for warm weather, so we left Driggs at 4:00 a.m. We estimated about four hours to the summit of The Jaw, which would put us skiing by around 10:30.

A twenty-four-hour flight, five days in Salt Lake, and a four-hour drive later, I was finally back in the Tetons. Packing, unpacking, selling a car, buying a new one, and all the mental load that comes with moving from the bottom of the world had finally caught up with me.

Skiing Telluride Peak from Red Mountain Pass with Sapers.

Skiing the iconic Somnus Couloir in boot-deep powder with Rob.

A quick ski of the Grand Couloir before the snow melts out.

Climbing and skiing the North Face of Mount Aurora from Centennial Hut.

Skiing the icy West Face of the Minarets in otherwise perfect conditions.

Climbing and skiing Glacier Peak with an aborted attempt on Douglas Peak.

Desperate to climb and ski something, I got this in before the next storm rolled in.

A 1,200-meter ski descent from the summit to the valley floor.

A magical spring trip to climb and ski two peaks in the Richardson Mountains.

Good weather has graced the Southern Alps and ski mountaineering season is finally here.

Blue skies and spring skiing in the rolling terrain of the Pisa's.

A beautiful spring ski traverse of the Crown Range from the pass to Cadrona.

Fun and accessible backcountry skiing from the Remarkables Ski Field.