Out of the States

I've been less than a mile away from Canada, running the Jay Peak Mountain Marathon. I've been about 20 miles away from Mexico when seeing the White Sands park in NM. Never once have I stepped outside the country until now. I just got back from a fishing trip to Panama, where I was a camera man off shore of the Darien Jungle.
Staying in Panama City for the first night, I didn't feel that far from home. Just another city with shitty drivers but filled with crappy cars.

Then we took a bush plane into Pinas Bay. About 20 miles from the Columbia border on the Pacific Side of things. I think I still felt further away from home when I was in Alaska. However, seeing how some of the natives live there is interesting. A society becoming more and more western.

The fishing was all time. We caught a big sail fish, had a few Marlin bites (one was a 500lb+), caught a 100lb+ tuna, and countless Dorados, saw dolphins, and got unclose with some sea turtles. I was lucky enough to capture most of the moments on film and hope to interpret what I saw when I go back to edit it all.

The whole area had a Jurassic Park feel to it. The entire Peninsula that we were on was made up of 100% basalt, (volcanic rock). I brought some home and gave it as a Christmas presents... Santa delivering some coal.

Winter 2010-2011

I finally have finished editing a season edit. I enjoy the creativity in this piece, trying to show a fraction of the amount of fun we had throughout the winter days. It truly was one of the deepest snow years Utah has seen in a while. All of this is backcountry skiing in Central and Southern Wasatch. Next year I'll be mostly skiing in the Uintas. I look forward to the new scenery, new snowpack (more of a continental one), and also helping out with the Utah Avalanche Center (Uinta division) as much as I can.
Enjoy the video!

New Chapter

I was going to write a big long winded piece about my new job but upon reflection I'll keep it short. Live your dream, each day. This video has been the past year of my life doing exactly what I want, which eventually led me to a professional job. I'm excited to have this new life where everyday is not a Saturday, however each day I'll still be living my dream: Editing/Filming/Climbing/Skiing

This past year...


By the way, this winter has been absolutely absurd which copious amounts of snow. Utah is pretty sweet. So sweet that I'm finally planting roots in this great state.

Lisa Falls

"At least once a year, the mountains deal me a healthy dose of humility. When I found myself repelling knee deep in a water fall while it filled my ski boots, I realized today was one of those days" - Shelby

The plan was hatched two days ago. Lisa Falls or Pfief...maybe South face of Superior? At any rate, Shelby (my ski buddy) wanted a big time adventure. Reading about Lisa Falls has always sparked my interest. It would be an enormous day. Sitting at work up at Brighton I was just contemplating if this would actually happen. Two co-workers were intrigued and wanted to come along as well. Joe (who always seems like he's up for a big adventure) and Corey (who's just looney tunes crazy sometimes) wanted in. Perfect!

The day started out leaving a car over in Little. We wanted to go via Broads Fork and not up Tanners. This added a little bit of mileage/vertical and time but that was alright with me. It would be less time with the skis on my back and booting up something. The idea of booting up a slide path never really excites me.

Heading up to the north side of Sunrise, gaining the saddle on the lookers right. We would gain the East Ridge of the East Twin from there.


On the ridge.. It was a windy one looking down Little Cottonwood Canyon.


The wind was stronger than what I thought it would be. Clouds were rolling in to and I just had an unsettling feeling about 400 ft from the summit. Thank goodness with such a large group, there was no complaining about me pulling the plug on the summit bid. So we did a variation of Lisa Falls, which who knows, could be even steeper than the original from the top!

Shelby skiing down. Right after this little bit, we join the original Lisa Falls run.


A pretty steep, no fall zone section


The rappels at the end. Shelby about to get wet. It was before and after these rappels that really drained me. Lots of tedious down climbing on slick wet granite rock was not reassuring.


Long approach, Steep skiing, narrow chutes, down climbing, anchor building, rappelling, post hole walking... this run had it all. And 3 of the 4 of us were late for work that night up at Brighton. Underestimated the exit greatly.. I am beat up from this type of outing but look forward to more like these.