For the past few months, numerous people have asked me, "What was your best day?" A question that continues to leave me dumbfounded & perplexed. I don't mean any disrespect to the inquisitors, I simply can't begin to qualify a single day as better than so many others.
I did, however, attempt to come up with a top 10, but even that leaves so much on the table. There are days outside of this list that would stand at the top of any other season I've ever had. And yet, each of those seasons had a countless number of "best days." So ultimately, it's a preposterous proposition.
This list doesn't include a single resort day. It doesn't include the numerous mornings I spent breaking trail up Punta Bardini with the dawn patrol crews. It doesn't include the trip that @hoppingdeer & I took to Revelstoke, Rogers Pass, & the Selkirks, a place I've wanted to ski for 15+ years.
The act of skiing, and especially ski touring, involves a plethora of emotions & moods every day. Here are a few moments in time that represent countless moments from an unforgettable season of skiing.
My endless gratitude goes out to anyone that I shared a skintrack or turn with this past season. Life is full of peaks & valleys, and while this past season was full of excitement & jubilation, there were plenty of challenges to counterbalance the euphoria. I'm grateful to all of you who showed up for me, whether you realized it or not.
Photo descriptions in comments.
3 years agothe.tall.carl
Preposterous proposition indeed. Although somehow you forgot the thumb! @sierradescents
3 years agopeakabui
Truly an incredible winter. I’m glad I got to share so many amazing days with you, can’t wait to make many many more memories!
3 years agojosh.chartier
It was truly a pleasure sharing so many "best days" exploring the Sierra with you. Looking to see where the snow will take us next season!
3 years agofrushloops
1: This is the day where it felt like things started and didn't stop for the next ~6 months. Mitch & I started the day at Mammoth, then bailed for the Sherwins. Turned out to be a good call. 2. @josh.chartier on top of Buck/Slide Mtn. The first of many 8k+ days this season and one of many absolutely perfect ski tours. 3. @josh.chartier & @peakabui below the headwall of Mt. Tom's E Gully. ~8500' of continuous powder skiing from the top. 4. Myself pushing for the S Couloir of Mt. Williamson with @sierradescents & @am_neal. After spending a few hours getting through the torturous lower section of George Creek, we didn't think we'd get to ski the line. We did. 5. @peakabui brushing perfect strokes down the E Face of Mt. Wood. As amazing as this day was, it was ultimately the most humbling reminder of the season, after this face went big on a weak layer a few days later.
3 years agofrushloops
6. @mattrandall9 skiing perfect snow on the elusive Mendenhall Couloir. While it was much less elusive this season, it was still extremely special to ski it, especially in great snow. Along with @josh.chartier @ @peakabui we followed this up with even better snow down the Mt. Morrison E Face Chutes. 7. @the.tall.carl & @mattrandall9 walking out after skiing the North Couloir of Paokrung (Birch Mtn). This line was a season-long goal of mine and I couldn't imagine a better crew to help me get it done. 8. @nathan358 climbing below the incredible walls of the Basin E Face Direct Couloir, another season goal and one of the most aesthetic lines I've ever been on. 9. @peakabui, @josh.chartier, @collinchartier on the approach to Cloudripper's E Face. The third of my three main line goals for the season. Was super grateful to get this one done on the last day that I would have been able to. 10. On the summit of Mt. Shasta. This was my third day on the mountain, and this was after skiing and re-ascending the E Face, putting me over 10k of ascent for the first time ever, a multi-season goal that I was super proud to accomplish on the mountain where my passion for ski mountaineering began.
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