KIR: Keeping It Real

Doug Coombs

It was with great sadness that I read of Doug Coombs death today in the Alps. Doug was a pioneer of Alaskan heli-skiing and ski-mountaineering. We had the privilege to have Doug as our guide on two trips to Alaska when he and Emily were running Valdez Heli-Skiing Guides. He was truly the epitome of someone that loved what they did, he really shared his passion for the mountains and was a fantastic guide.

I will never forget that day on Kiwi Wall in AK, when Doug was opening up the run, and Wes and I were flying up on the heli to ski Kiwi. Watching him ski with grace and fluidity a 4000 foot 55 degree Alaskan spine sent chills down my back. He radioed up to me and said "hey, no worries, just mind your sluff, let 'em rip and HAVE FUN!"

Amen Doug. RIP

Cubs in 06

Well, here we are at the start of yet another baseball season. And once again, we (me, my dad, and all of Chicago - well the part that counts, the rest can have the White Sox) blindly, foolishly, believe (hope) that "this is the year". That the Cubs will somehow overcome all the past futility, cusrses, jinxs, inevitable injuries and bad luck, and like 2003, put together a magical season, and finally make it the World Series.

So, with that, I bring you (from ESPN) the Best Case and Worst Case scenairos for the 2006 season:

Last World Series title: 1908.

Best case: Mark Prior and Kerry Wood quiet the doubters with big seasons. Wade Miller is good, too, and Dusty Baker suddenly has more pitching than he can accommodate. Juan Pierre gives the team the desired lift out of the leadoff spot and the Cubs turn out to be the White Sox of 2006. They sail through the NL Central and win the World Series.

Worst case: The Prior-Wood injury watch becomes a season-long fiasco, and Baker and GM Jim Hendry get cranky over the constant second-guessing from Steve Stone and Mike Marshall. And Dusty's unsettled contract situation is an ongoing distraction. The Cubs limp home an uninspired fifth.

Miracle March

wow, it has been a "miracle march" this year, this just in from the AM PR machine:

Record Breaking Snowfall At Alpine Meadows This Month…And, It’s Still Snowing
Alpine Meadows has received a whopping total of 189.5” of snow at its base lodge and 222” of snow at its mid-mountain snow stake so far this March. March of 2006 is now the official all-time record holder for the most snow accumulation in the span of one month. The resort has been tracking snow accumulation by month for the past 35 years. The previous record-holding snow accumulation month was March of 1991, (commonly referred to as “Miracle March”) with a total of 188” at the base lodge. Alpine’s mountain is filled in with snow in every nook-and-cranny. It’s hard to believe it’s spring!

Estelle Bowl @ Alpine

mmm, mmm, good.

best days of the year

Best Days of the Year

That's right kids, I said it. If you're not in Tahoe right now I hope that you're lost deep in Solitude Canyon or somewhere near Valdez, because it's going off around Big Blue. This last little cycle of dry, fluffy (oh, it's fluffy all right) snow has blanketed the region with more than 30 inches in some spots and even more if you know where to get it. Our little friend from Alaska will be departing this afternoon but...he assured me that his bigger, much badder brother is on the way next week. Can you believe it. To think that we started out the year with more rain than a small Seattle suburb, and now resorts on both ends of the lake are reporting base depths in the 200 inch range and season totals breaking the 300 inch mark. ROCK ON!

It get any better than this, well maybe if I had a helicopter, but nevermind that. Lets focus on what we do have – blower powder, 3rd chair up on Friday, no crowds, and one of the deepest, best days I have ever had @ Alpine. "Miracle March" just keeps on delivering: more storms forecsat for this week - get out and enjoy!

Meet Jake!

My man Jake came home with us yesterday. He is going to be a stud: already 30 lbs, he is going to be big! Check out his pics:

Jake

Visit to Chicago

Was home last month for a brief visit, and got some time with the family. My sister just had Charlotte, and Campbel is growing up so fast! That is a good looking brood she has going...

Le Tour

LA wins 7th with ease. Just got the new issue of the New Yorker in the mail, and loved this cover art.