May 30, 2014
Looking to get some exercise in the sun, we chose the low-hanging fruit today and headed to Silver Peak. Tom, Elissa and I met at Kevin's house right on the way, and drove to within a quarter of a mile of the Pacific Crest Trail crossing where the road heads into the Silver Peak Basin.
Weather and ski conditions were near perfect, and we saw several skiers among the crowd that we knew (or their cars). Snow at the lower elevations is melting out fast and I have doubts about Silver being in shape for the annual Solstice Day BBQ festivities, but who knows. Turns were great, the boot out from just above Lake Annette was quick if sweaty, and Tom's secret Budweiser cache from last year was still there, if missing a few cans. Get it soon if you're inclined, but watch those potholes.
May 15, 2014
I missed out on the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration at Alpental due to work - they had the audacity to schedule the grand Mexican holiday on a Monday this year.
I skinned up a few days later and found some passable conditions, if a bit sticky on the lower mountain. Meanwhile, between trips to Las Vegas for some hot (as in over 105 degrees) R & R with Lindsay and Eastern Washington to hang with the in-laws-to-be, I've missed out on the Highway 20 festivities and first round of Silver Peak fun, but the season is still young, at least at higher elevations.
Work is cranking; with the new Portland store in full construction mode, quite a bit of staff turmoil has hit us - some of it people moving on to other jobs, some of it simply co-workers switching seats. I'm staying where I am, pounding the keyboard in the copy department for the summer and putting in a day or two a week in the store. There are still a surprising number of people trying on ski boots and looking for deals on skis, but I'm spending more and more time talking board shorts, flip flops and skateboards. Yeah, me. Hit me up if you're in the neighborhood.
Previous Incoming Pages:
China: Wandering in the Middle Kingdom
"Incoming" covers developments that have personal interest to me (ie. gear I might consider acquiring, or events I feel may impact the sport of skiing) - it is by no means meant to be a comprehensive enumeration of gear or events in the ski world at large. Feel free to contact me via the randosaigai.com link below with news or images that may be of interest . . .
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