Big Sky Winterfest

From the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, February 28th, 2007:

Winterfest in Big Sky is scheduled for Sunday, March 4.

The day will include five different cross-country ski race events, at thee Big Sky Community Park, and all geared towards getting locals, visitors, families and individuals out and about and enjoying the snow. There will be various children's events and races through out the day as well.
There are five adult races scheduled for the day and numerous children's races. Adult races include both a skate and a Nordic four-person relay where each racer must use the same pair of skis to complete the loop. There will be an adult/child race where the adult pulls a child in a polk; these ski sleds (polks) must be used for the adult/child event, limited numbers will be available at the event courtesy of Lone Mountain Ranch. Lone Mountain Ranch will also have ski equipment available for those needing it. The last two adult events include dog joring and a three-legged race. In the three-legged race, teams of two must have their middle legs bound together for the entire length of the track.

Early registration for race events is encouraged; registration forms can be picked up at the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce in Westfork Meadows and ERA Landmark Real Estate office in the Meadow Village Center. All race participants will receive two for one lift tickets donated by Moonlight Basin. Registration rates are $5 per race or four races for $15; prizes will be awarded in each event. There will also be a raffle held offering prizes from local businesses.

Food and business vendors will set up shop outdoors.

Eagle Mount will be the beneficiary of Winterfest this year.

If you would like to volunteer, donate a prize for the fund-raising raffle, or if you would like to participate as a food vendor, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 995-3000.

Tagged: Powderfin, outdoor gear, Lone Mountain Ranch, nordic skiing, Big Sky, eagle mount, montana,powderfin.com

Sconnie's Folly aka Beehive and Fraizer Basins

Southwest Montana was lucky enough to get a pretty good dump on Friday, followed by bluebird skies on the weekend. It’s the kind of weather pattern that skiers long for all season. The master plan was to take full advantage of the new powder by heading on long backcountry day trips on both weekend days.

Saturday was a fun day up Beehive Basin. We skied all the way to the back of the basin, but didn’t feel confident skiing anything steep because of the unstable snow pack. Instead, we found a few cliffs that had no avy risk, and a lot of snow at the bottom. The mottos this season… “Sometimes you’re bad-ass, sometimes you’re just an ass.” I was definitely the latter. This was a 15ft-to-face-plant extravaganza, which hurt my pride more than my body. Thankfully Abbey botched her cliff-drop attempt, but I think she just did it to make me feel better. It’s hard not to laugh at yourself when the sun is shining and the snow is deep.

Sunday, Jud and I broke trail all the way up to a basin just north of Fraizer Basin in the Northern Bridger Range. This is a part of the Bridgers that sees little use even on the best of days and it’s spectacular. We literally had the whole place to ourselves. As a skier, there is nothing better than making fresh turns the whole day absent of lift lines, and some Obsidian Stout back at the trailhead.

I hope my folly makes you happy,
Sconnie

Tagged: powderfin, outdoors, backcountry skiing, outdoor retail, beehive basin, bozeman, montana

Jerry Douglas

Howdy...

Just caught Jerry Douglas at the Emerson here in Bozeman last night. The Emerson's kind-of a sad venue... boxy, all seats, pretty bad acoustics, and no beer for sale... Yeah, I know...


Anyway, Jerry and his band were worth it. They're coming around to the Southeast in March, so I recommend anyone with a bluegrass hankerin' to check him out. However, If you're familiar with his his music, you know that this guy transcends bluegrass with his playing. If there's a better dobro player in the world, I'd love to know who it is. Jerry played some bluesy stuff, some cajun, a little bit of island style, and some interesting jazz-like arrangements. He said he came up with one of the songs during a dream, after eating some "popcorn tasting stuff" in Telluride one time. The dream was about Fred Flinstone giving Charlie Parker a ride, with Barney Rubble pushing. It sounded about like that... interesting "Bird" bebop elements with a solid jazz drum foundation and colorful fiddle embellishments. He also told us the story about how he gave Futureman his name... interesting stuff.

All the musicians on stage were impressive, namely the guitar picker...pretty amazing solos.

Damn good stuff... go see him if you want to see one of the better musicians of our day.

Later...

Tagged: Powderfin, outdoor gear, Jerry Douglas, dobro, Emerson Theater, bluegrass, montana, powderfin.com

River Therapy

From the Bozeman Chronicle; February 26, 2007

BELGRADE -- Bill Bartlett dressed himself on Friday as if he was going skiing. Long underwear and ski pants on the bottom. Lots of layers on the top.

But he didn't hit the slopes. He got in the water. He was celebrating an anniversary.

Friday's brief canoe trip on the Gallatin River marked 120 consecutive months that included at least one excursion, paddle in hand.

That's 10 years of canoeing in all kinds of weather.

Normally, he picks a better day, somewhere around 45 degrees, with some sunshine.

But on Friday he braved a cold and sloppy blizzard to check off the decade mark.

Bartlett, a Bozeman defense attorney, keeps his winter trips short, usually paddling upstream in the Gallatin or Madison rivers, partly to keep his paddling muscles in shape and partly just to do it.

He finds solace in the deserted waterways, and told of a time when he was once particularly vexed by two difficult legal cases, but once in the canoe he was able to clear his thoughts and figure out solutions.

Though he prefers the solitude, at the age of 60 he worries about the younger generation becoming too glued to computers and televisions.

"With fewer people establishing a relationship with the natural world, maybe we'll have fewer people to protect it," he said.

Accordingly, he's now working with Boy Scout troops.

"It's a solitary experience for me, but it's time to start sharing it," he said. "For the benefit of the sport and the environment."

While some of his winter trips are short, almost symbolic, Bartlett has paddled some big water: a 22-day trip on Canada's Churchill River, the Desolation Canyon reach of the Green River in Utah and most of the streams and rivers in Montana -- including the Montana portion of the Missouri, upstream.

The big waves in on the Green River trip gave his boat a beating.

"We used all the duct tape we had" to patch up the craft, he recalled.

Bartlett calculates that, since he took up the sport in 1984, he's paddled 10,000 miles, roughly 1,000 of those miles upstream.

All those miles have taken a toll. A swollen tendon bulges from the palm of his left hand and he has to do exercises to keep the muscles in the front of his body in sync with the muscles in his back, the ones that keep his paddle moving.

Now 60, he's thinking about switching to a different type of craft, maybe making a catamaran of two canoe hulls and a platform, maybe even rigging up a sail.

But he's not talking about quitting.

"It's good to get outside and canoeing is my stress reliever," he said. "That's why I go to the river. It's my antidote."

Tagged: Powderfin, outdoor gear, gallatin, canoe, gallatin river, flyfishing, montana, powderfin.com

Cafe Evoke Jave Juice Extract Review

We like coffee at Powderfin. Generally, we’re not picky about how we get our caffeine in the morning, but we’ve recently been turned on to some of the finer nuances of the bean, and how it gets to our cup. Jason and his wife Jenny, the owner/operators of Café Evoke Catering are good friends who have a passion for a great cup of coffee and coffee related discourse. We’ve heard from many that the Java Juice Extract we carry at Powderfin is great, and we love it, but we needed to test it out on some experts. Jason and Jen were up to the task and honest about their feelings for Jave Juice (mostly positive). Check out their review and more at Café Evoke’s Blog.

Tagged: Powderfin, outdoor gear, café evoke, java juice, french press, java juice review, montana, powderfin.com

Frog Holler

In Bozeman we’re lucky enough to have a truly dedicated independent radio station. It’s funky, free form… and the DJs play what they want to play, as it should be. It’s also a place to hear music that hasn’t hit the mainstream. KGLT is where I first heard Frog Holler, and I bought the “Idiots” CD off Record Cellar the next day.

Frog Holler is a bluegrass/country/rock type of band if you’re into categorizing, but they’re much more. If you love your hometown, if you’ve worked hard at a blue-collar job, if you really understand what “getting by” means… Frog Holler will speak to you. Darren Schlappich is a lead singer who can tell a real-person story with the best of them. The band is killer too. If you’re in to fishing, the song “Native Trout” is akin to the good times when fishing is at is purest.

Once you get into their music you’ll ask yourself how you haven’t heard of them before. They have 6 CDs of incredible tunes; they’ve been around with a small following for a while. If you’re in the northeast and get a chance to see a show, drop us a line and let us know what you think. Checkout their stuff (for free) here…

Tagged: Powderfin, outdoor gear, frog holler, kglt, independent radio, frog holler review, montana, powderfin.com

Joby Gorillapod

Part of the payoff for getting outside to do the things you love is the photos you take to remember those good times. Whether it's the views atop the mountain you climb, shots of your buddy carving big turns, pictures of the moose that wandered over by the camp, or the nice trout that was fooled by your dry fly, these images last forever and allow you to share your experiences with others. We've all been in the situation where we want someone else to shoot the photo so we can get the whole group together in the shot, yet there's nobody there to help out.



Some innovative thinkers at Joby developed a really cool and functional product to help you out during those moments, the Joby Gorillapod Flexible Tripod. The Gorillapod's flexible joints bend and rotate 360 degrees to form the perfect tripod on any surface. You can also wrap one of the legs around a pole, tree, boat gunnel, chairlift arm, etc. to make the most of self-timer digital photography. It's available in 3 sized, one for most point and shoot digital cameras, one for SLR's, and one for SLR's with zoom lenses. There are few places where the Gorillapod can't be employed to get that perfect photograph to capture to spirit of the moment. Add the lightweight Gorillapod to your photography arsenal and you'll never be in a lurch to get the pic you want when out there doing your thing.

Tagged: Powderfin, outdoor gear, gorillapod, joby tripod, flexible tripod, joby gorillapod review, montana,powderfin.com

Big Horn Bro-down

This February in SW Montana we've had a few little runs of warmer weather (high 40's) which tends to get fly fisherfolk in the area a bit fired up to get on the water. Cabin fever starts to get nasty in February, especially when the snow isn't very good. When the forcast for Hardin, MT called for a weekend of partly cloudy skies and highs near 50, I decided to try to gather a group of fly fisherman to head over to the fabled Big Horn River in South Eastern Montana. Getting the crew together proved to be a fairly easy chore, as some friends of mine were just ready to get out of town for the weekend for any reason, some eager to try out their new rods, and some who had never been to the Big Horn (myself included) who were anxious to check it out. I was able to assemble a fun crew of flyfishing friends from Bozeman including: my roomate Trevor who spends his summers guiding on the Missouri; a new yet fast-learning fly fisherman Jeremy; Jason, a fishing buddy of mine spanning several seasons; Brian, an experienced angler who's spent a good deal of time on beautiful rivers of Oregon; Stan a Rapala slinging local historian; and Eric, a former guide and experienced Big Horn angler. We had all the ingredients for a great weekend trip to the Big Horn...a solid group of guys, two drift boats, a Watermaster, 6 hilarious dogs, some frozen food, and lots of beer.

Trevor and I took off around 3:30 on Friday, and after digging a path through the snow in front of my friend's barn where my boat was being stored, we were finally able to hook it up and get on our way. It was a precarious situation there for awhile, and I think we were both a bit afraid that we'd spend all of Friday night digging my trailer out of a snow bank. The road up in Jackson Creek where we picked up my boat was nothing short of an ice rink. We eventually made it to the highway, and 4 1/2 hours later we were finally in Ft. Smith, Montana.

Eric was able to find us a great cabin in town to stay for the weekend, so we settled in for the night by setting up our vices, spinning some bugs and having a few beers.

Saturday morning came quickly, but the weather was decent and we we all psyched to see if we could fool some healthy tailwater browns and rainbows into eating our creations. Trout are generally pretty eager to eat in the winter if the weather co-operates and you can put the bug in front of them. This proved to be the case on Saturday, as orange scuds and San Juan worms did the trick on nymph rigs. Our token Big Horn veteran Eric showed us how it's done, with little surprise. This dude always catches fish. He landed over 20 fish that day, while the rest of did our best to get to know the river a bit and figure out our presentation. It was a pretty productive day overall, as most of us we were able to catch some nice browns on streamers toward the end of the float.



The crew was pretty tired Saturday night, so we retired early in the midst of a nasty windstorm, wondering if conditions would permit another go in the morning. When we woke up around 8, it seemed that there was no way in the world we'd be able to float, as gusts of 40 mph winds ripped through the trees in the front yard of the cabin. Trevor and I decided it was too windy, so we loaded up to head home. After making about 2 miles, we stopped the truck to gauge the wind because it was sunny and 55 at the time and we thought it would be a waste to drive all the way down there then skip out on a potentially good day of fishing. We decided to go for it, drove back to the cabin, assembled the troops and headed to the river.



Sunday ended up being a better day all-around. Jeremy caught his first fish ever on a fly that he tied, which is something that any fly fisherman will tell you is pretty cool moment. Trevor and I were able to get into one of the many deep and fruitful runs before any of the other 20 or so boats on the river that day, and we were able to pull 7 or 8 nice trout out of it. Trevor was taken to his backing a few times out of that hole which was exciting, as these trout would quickly cruise into the fast water below the hole, causing us to give chase downstream. That hole got the day off to a good start, and we were immediatly glad we didn't high tail it back to Bozeman. It was windy, but not too bad, and warm enough to stay comfortable.





We spent the rest of the day taking turns fishing a streamer, and the browns were all over it. They were pretty aggressive, and often did some acrobatics and tail dances once hooked. Having a little better feel for the water and our presentation, we had a much better day than on Saturday and enjoyed every minute of it. It just goes to show that if you want to do something outside in Montana, and you're unsure of the weather, the best bet is to just go do it. There will certainly be those times where you wish you hadn't, like when you're ducking away from hail under some trees while your boat's being blown down river, but in general good things happen if you just try.



Thanks to our various skill levels and experience, I think we were all able to learn something new over the weekend, whether it be a casting technique, fly tying trick, or story about the area's history. The Big Horn lived up to its billing as an excellent fishery, and our crew had a blast. Thanks to our friends at The Big Horn Angler for the accomodations and advice, we'll be back before long!

Powderfin in Peru

Hey Pfin, recently my mom and I went to Peru to do some sightseeing and medical work and we took the opportunity to spread the word about Powderfin. Machu Picchu was an obvious choice for sights to see, so we packed our Powderfin Gear, drank coca tea to help with the altitude, hopped on the train, and toured the ancient Incan ruins. The weather was perfect, clear enough for a beautiful view of the ruins, but just enough clouds to keep the heat at a tolerable level. So we posed and spread the word about Pfin on top of the mountain, and as we finished the Inca Trail. After a day of exploring the ruins we settled down to a interesting and almost good meal of llama steak, heart skewers and cuy (guinea pig). It turns out we hit quite the window of opportunity, as the day before there was heavy downpour, and the day after, it was hailing! It must of been the shirts. After Machu Picchu we went to the rainforest where we danced with the indigenous, shot blow guns, drank jungle beer (for the first and last time ever....), held pet monkeys and anacondas, and watched the river dolphins. Not to mention getting stuck in a torrential down pour in our open Amazonian boat! After one week of fun we returned to Lima where we met up with the rest of the medical team. The prime focus was to repair cleft palates and lips, but we also operated on a lot of burn victims with compromising scars. All in all the trip was a fantastic experience that neither of us would trade for anything. The most valuable of which we both believe to be our work at the hospital in Lima. It was great to be able to really see the difference that we were making, especially in all of the kids.So for anyone who is thinking about making the trek to Peru, Machu Picchu is a must see, but I recommend hiking the Inca Trail, which can take as little or as much time as possible, something we did not have the chance to do. As for the Amazon, it is cool but can get expensive depending on your budget. If you want to stay in the Amazon, the most popular and accesible way is a nice Resort. Regardless of where you go or what you do, it is important to remember that the Peruvians are a beautiful race of people, very punctual, and eager to please. Keep in mind, however, that farting, swearing, prostitution, illicit drugs, public urination, and obscene gestures, are a part of every day life. BURPING, however, is not. We read this in a guide book, that said the cardinal sin of Peru is burping in public. DO NOT! You know how when you aren't supposed to do something, and it slips out subconsciously, and it is the loudest noise that has ever vacated "the temple" that is your body... well in Peru, if its a burp, its 100x more embarrassing and loud. Good Luck

Mt. Ellis Pow

In the midst of ski season here in Southwestern Montana that's been pretty dry, Mt. Ellis proved to have ample amounts of snow if you're willing to work for it. Sconnie, Abbey, Zeus and I trekked up to near the top of the 8331' foot peak on February 3rd. The views were amazing, of course, and the 3 or so feet of fresh was a just reward for 3 1/2 hours of snowshoeing. As usual, I brought up the rear in snowshoes. My crescent moon gold series 9's definitely did the job, but it was often difficult to keep from crushing the often awkward skin track on the way up. I felt a bit bad for those coming up after me, but there's not much I could do about it.

We took some decent footage of Zeus giving chase on the way down. It was the best snow I've seen this winter, hopefully Old Man Winter will send down a bit more soon!

Hyalite Canyon Access

There's currently a local debate over the new Gallatin National Forest travel plan to restrict access to Hyalite Canyon near Bozeman. Essentially, the plan calls to close the gate on the road from January 1st through May 15th, beginning in 2008.

I've actually gotten my truck stuck in the snow up there overnight between those dates, but that's my own fault. Hyalite Canyon contains some of the finest ice climbing in the world, and some great backcountry skiing routes that would only be accessible by snowmobile or skins if the road is closed. At Powderfin, we think the road should be left open all year in order to access these amazing areas of our local wilderness.

For more information on the issue, check out the following links for articles and forums:

Climbing Magazine

MontanaIce.com

Alpinist.com

Primo Prime - Product Review

The Ground Men's Prime Jacket caught my attention when I first looked over the Ground product line. It looked good even in the pictures, so I was very interested to checkout what it felt like and how well it worked outside in practical applications. I basically fell in love with the Prime as soon as I put it on, and decided to buy it. It has served me well in several ways, and has proved to be a versatile jacket in the Montana winter.


Everyday Use:

The Ground Prime is definitly a coat that you can wear everyday. It's reversible, which is the first feature I really like about it, so you essentially get two jackets in one. I purchased the Graphite/Crimson version, wearing mostly the Graphite. If you decide to reverse it, there's a smart little pocket built in so you can hide the tag. Simple and effective. Other cool features include soft-brushed tricot hand pockets, hidden breast pocket, no-snag zippers, and elastic cuffs on the sleeves.

For everyday use, this jacket works because it's not too bulky and it's extremely warm, even in low-output activities. Filled with synthetic Primaloft Sport, it stays warm even when wet, and provides adequate insulation in most circumstances. The Prime is perfect for wearing around town.

Snowshoeing:

I put on the Prime over a base layer and snowshoed a couple of miles in 20 degree weather, and the jacket was super warm. Warm enough that I needed to unzip it about half way once I really got going, but it never presented a real problem. For super high-output activities, it should be reserved for very cold days.

Snowboarding:

I tried the Prime as an outer layer one day up at Bridger Bowl, in place of a shell. It snowed pretty hard that day, but it was cold, and I never got wet. It kept me plenty warm with a skin layer and light fleece underneath. I was unsure how it perform in those elements but it did a great job.

Maintenence:

I got my Prime pretty dirty over New Year's Weekend in Atlanta, but it's machine washable and cleaned up easily. You have to hang dry it, but it dries really fast. Hang it overnight and it will be ready the next morning.

All in all, this is the best jacket I've owned for quite some time for everyday use.

Laying Groundwork

Powderfin.com just launched almost the entire line of Ground men's and women's outerwear. We're really excited about the products, as we feel they're a bit different than many of the ski jackets, puffy coats, and fleeces found elsewhere in the market today. They're technically excellent, look great, and make you feel great...what more do you need out of a ski jacket? Read more about Ground and their gear below...

The Ground Philosophy

"Established in 2002, Ground is a multi-sport lifestyle brand that combines technology with style. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, just across the bay from San Francisco, we started Ground because we thought it was time for a change. Over the last several years it seems that many outdoor products have come to resemble one another. Somebody had to do something new.

Our philosophy is simple. Differentiate or don't bother. Build the best technical apparel and gear with a new, innovative approach bringing excitement back to the consumer. We use the most advanced fabrics and construction techniques. Our designs are functional and performance-oriented. But every piece is designed to embody a new and different sense of style. It's not just an extra step. It's part of the process. It's what's been missing."

Ground Products

Men's and Women's Waterproof/Breathable Outerwear

Ground Men's Ski Jackets - Ground Women's Ski Jackets

Featuring Moisture Tech 3-Layer, and 2.5-Layer, Ground offers a wide range of waterproof breathable shells. The Skarn Ski Pants and Adverse shell provide the ultimate in abrasion resistance and winter weather protection. With sport specific design features like removable molded pads, these garments are engineered to brave extreme weather as well as extreme pursuits. While styles like the Adverse Lt, Dash, Rapid, and Defy shells are designed to be the most versatile endurance and speed sport outerwear available. Ultra-light, ultra breathable, highly compressible and highly wind and water-resistant.

eVent Technology

eVENT Fabric is a Direct Venting waterproof barrier that marks a significant advancement in ePTFE laminate technology. Using proprietary and patented Dry System™ technology, eVENT Fabric sets a new standard for comfort by allowing perspiration to dissipate and vent without saturating the inside of the fabric.

Insulated Jackets

Men's Ground Down Jackets - Women's Ground Down Jackets

Men's Ground Synthetic Insulation Jackets - Women's Ground Synthetic Insulation Jackets

These Ground jackets are designed to be worn with or with out an outer-shell. Providing warmth and comfort they are designed to keep the body comfortable even in the harshest conditions. Ground uses only the best materials for insulation... 700 Fill Down, PrimaLoft Sport, and Polartec Fleece. One of our favorite Ground Jackets, the Ground Prime, features PrimaLoft Sport as insulation. Perhaps the warmest coats of the men's line are the Pyrite and Tarn Jackets, an awesome puffy coat with 700 Fill Down. On the women's side is the equally warm and cozy Ground Orbit.

PrimaLoft® Sport is the perfect combination of high performance insulation and value. This technology combines ultra-fine and multi-diameter fibers for specific performance characteristics. The specially treated ultra-fine fibers hellp to form a water resistant insulating structure, while the multi-diameter fibers help to build loft. If your idea of a great winter weekend takes you outside into the great outdoors, PrimaLoft Sport helps you feel at home and well insulated even if the we
ather turns wet.

Softshell Jackets

Men's Ground Softshell Jackets - Women's Ground Softshell Jackets

Ground Softshell Jackets are designed to be comfortable, breathable and highly versatile. Some have waterproof breathable laminated fabric, all are highly weather shedding, wind proof, and WARM. All softshells use state of the art soft shell materials like SS Softshield: A waterproof/breathable soft-shell technology based on 3-layer MoistureTek laminate. Ground's Parallel Soft Shell Jacket System is a 3 layer system of weather protection designed with serious technical capabilities.  It is the jacket of choice for Mountain Link, a premiere international mountaineering guide service based out of Bend, OR.

Fleece Jackets

Men's Ground Fleece Jackets - Women's Ground Fleece Jackets

Intended to be insulating layers but not limited to wearing under shells. All Ground jackets in this category have the appearance of being soft and fuzzy but all have the grit to stand alone as outerwear. Some are wind proof by construction, all are warm and comfortable. Ground Fleece jackets use state of the art materials such as Polartec Classic 200, Polartec Thermal Pro, and Polartec PowerStretch.

Polartec Classic 200 - This classic, warm and breathable 200-weight fleece has been an outdoor benchmark for nearly two decades. Polartec Classic 200 is featured in the popular Ground Mercury Fleece Jacket, and the Ground Rift Vest.

Polartec Power Stretch - Body-hugging four-way stretch fabric with excellent breathability. The face is durable nylon for wind and abrasion-resistance and the inside is soft velour for warmth and comfort. You'll find Polartec Power Stretch in the ultra-cozy Ground Fissure Fleece Jacket.

Polartec High-Loft Thermal Pro - Polartec Thermal Pro fabrics are the most visually dynamic and technically advanced of the Polartec insulation fabrics. New high loft versions have achieved the highest warmth to weight ratios of any fabric Polartec has ever offered. Other versions have the look of traditional wool with all the performance benefits of fleece. Polartec Thermal Pro is our most diverse family of fabrics. Thermal Pro is the funky, high-loft material also found in the Ground Fissure Fleece Jacket.

Inner Core Base Layers

Men's Ground Base Layers - Women's Ground Base Layers

Anything that comes into contact with your skin has to be carefully crafted. Ground Inner Core Base layers are so smooth to the touch, they feel like nothing at all. At the same time these layers have the integrity and durability to match performance with a body in constant motion. Made with stretch micro-fleece, the Ground Terra Jacket is a great example of a Ground Base Layer that not only looks great but perfoms like a champ during high output winter activites.

Flathead Pass

The Saturday forecast called for a high of –3 and clear skies. I was working on Powderfin related duties when I got a call from some of my long time backcountry skiing buddies. They wanted to head out to the northern Bridger Range and make some turns and… “Oh yeah, it’s too cold to get the car started, so we need you to drive.” My Jeep did manage to start in the –18 morning temperature and I packed my lunch a readied myself for an excessively cold adventure. While packing, I remembered a day last season with the same group of friends on a similarly cold day in the Bridgers that ended with a ski tip through my friend’s upper lip (see picture). He’s a Telemark skier, so I guess that’s part of the game.

The plan was to head as far north as we could make it while remaining in the sunshine. With Topo-maps onboard, we explored the drifted forest service roads until we found Flathead Pass. By the time parked things had warmed up to an almost tolerable –4 deg. It was still cold, but the sun made it feel warmer, and we were soon skinning up to the ridgeline. We made it up to the top in about 3 hours. The ridge top winds coupled with the sub-zero temps gave us incentive to make it back to the car as soon as possible. Of course cold and wind doesn’t always stop the crazy from being crazy (see picture again).

Our snow tests gave us cause for concern with clean break under medium pressure on a faceted snow layer about 15 inches below the surface. The unstable snow-pack dictated that we ski a less-steep section than we had initially hoped for, but just about any skiing is good skiing with friends.

Saturday Snowshoe

I finally got to bust out the snowshoes on Saturday, which was nice considering the insane amounts of food and drink I've consumed since mid-November...as most people can relate. I gave the Crescent Moon Gold Series 9's a shot, and I was impressed. The most important thing to me when it comes to snowshoes is how easy they are to put on and take off. These are definitely the easiest I've ever come across. It's been a few years since I've used Tubbs or Atlas, and although I like the MSR Ascents because they're light and fast, the Crescent Moon's are big enough for deep snow and light enough not to annoy you. But as I said, they're a breeze... one elastic strap up front to either tighten or loosen, and a ratchet strap on the back. Very impressive bindings to say the least. Simple. That comes in handy when it's cold and you're trying to work with mittens. And I suppose most importantly, after about 20 minutes of cruising along, I forgot I had them on, and never paid attention to the shoes until I got back to the truck. That's a good sign. Here's a picture of the binding...




Zeuser and I headed up to Bear Canyon outside of Bozeman. It was a typical windy day, but once we got into the woods it was pretty peaceful. Saw some turkeys, a bald eagle, and many other snowshoers and/or x-country skiers with smiles on their faces. Nice day to be outside, turkeys.

Avalanche Note

For the last few years several of us at Powderfin have been venturing into the Montana backcountry for our winter recreation. In the Bozeman/Big Sky Montana area, we’re lucky enough to have an avalanche center that has, no doubt, prevented countless avalanche related injuries and fatalities through their advisories and snow pack discussions. If you live here, or you plan to visit, please check out http://www.mtavalanche.com/ (Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center (GNFAC)) for the latest information. This includes anyone going into the backcountry with any mode of transportation.If you’re at all interested in learning more about the mechanics of an avalanche or how to read the snow pack, their site is a great resource, and they also offer classes in the area.
Cheers

21,000 "Freaks" Can't Be Wrong

After a busy holiday season, I was lucky enough to get out of town for a few days and meet up with an amazing group of friends in Atlanta over New Year's weekend. Our crew, consisting of folks from Bozeman, Los Angeles, Chicago, Green Bay, and San Diego assembled in ATL to ring in the New Year together with 21,000 other good people and Widespread Panic at Philips Arena.
It was an amazing weekend, to say the least, as any excuse to get together with this bunch is always a good one. However, Dec. 31, 2006 was certainly a special evening, as the band opened up with a first set complete with gorgeous covers of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" and Vic Chesnutt's "Expiration Day". It was enough to let us know it was going to be a beautiful night. Colonel Bruce Hampton joined the effort in a tight black tux, complete with coattails, adding his rambunctious vocals on "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "Fixin' to Die". Many of the band's old stand-by's were in the mix, such as "Wondering", "Driving Song", "Pigeons", "Barstools and Dreamers", "Chilly Water", and "Ain't Life Grand" to name a few. Anyway... it was 3 sets of a lot of fun and a great encore, which can be checked out here.
The people at Philips Arena honored the band with a banner that will hang permanently in the arena, in recognition of their 15 consecutive sold out performances. It was nice to be a part of one of many accolades the boys have deservedly received over the last 20 years.


I've been a fan of this band for many, many years, and I've come to realize as I get older what makes me so attracted to what they do. Sure, it definitely starts with the show they put on, and the music they release, which certainly speaks to me very clearly. What keeps me going back are the people I've met over the years in and around shows, but beyond that what makes Widespread Panic so impressive to me is the way they run their business.

The first thing I admire is their longevity. These guys have been together, for the most part, for 20 years. You can't find many businesses, in any form, where people last that long together. Then when you think about travelling together on a bus continuously for much of that time, it makes it even more amazing.

Secondly, they knew what they wanted to do because they loved it...they went for it, and they never gave up. The road from playing Frat Parties in Athens Georgia in the 80's to selling out 15 consecutive 21,000 seat shows at Philips Arena did not come without their share of stumbles along the way. It makes me wonder how many times one or all of the band members wanted to quit but didn't. And, of course, when thinking about the death of their guitar player and namesake Mikey "Panic" Houser in 2002, it sure seems like it would have been an opportune time to choose an alternate path, but they're still here today, 2 guitar players later. And not just here, they're HERE, filling up the joint...every joint.

Third...they've managed to mix art and commerce and do it in a graceful way that is both fair to the fans and profitable to the band. Ticket prices are still very reasonable considering the quality of the product, at least in my humble opinion. They continue to understand the importance of thier fans, and they're truly humble and grateful in that regard. Panic was featured in a Fortune Small Business Article in 2003, where drummer Todd Nance was quoted as saying, "Here, the band and the audience are responsible for each others existence." They treat their customers well, make money, and have fun doing it. It's simple, but is there a better overall business model available?

Finally... and this is where this group of guys and their organization (and many of thier fans) really impress me. They are successful and they give back. Whether it's the Hannah's Buddies Charity Golf Classic for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Panic Fans For Food, various benefit concerts, or the Michael Houser Music Foundation, the band and those associated with it find a way to contribute positively to thier communities and support good causes. Many businesses give money, but few are as actively involved.

I'd be doing a damn good job if I could run my business 1/10th as well as these guys have been able to.

Hmm...I certainly didn't mean to go that far down the road when talking about my weekend in Atlanta, but I reckon it's been on my mind. Although there are many who don't understand it, this band and their fans have been a positive and integral part of my life for about half of it now, and I'll never apologize for it.

Between my amazing friends, Panic, some whale sharks, and a raucous "Deepo's 4D Undersea Wondershow" at the Georgia Aquarium... I couldn't have waived goodbye to 2006 in any greater fashion. I hope everyone had a NYE that suited them well...

Yak Trax

Around here if you're not willing to brave the cold and get outside in the winter ... you'll most likely find yourself out of shape pretty quick (I have), unless you love going to the gym (I don't). For those times you can't strap on the snowshoes or head to the hill to ski/ride, Yak Trax are a great way to conquer the icy streets of Montana winters. There are two versions, Yak Trax Pro ($24.95) and Yak Trax Walkers ($17.95), we highly recommend the Pro models for higher levels of activity. They're pretty simple devices, you just strap them over your shoes for added traction. We've found Yak Trax to be very popular with winter runners, and those that just like to head up the local trails with the dog. There's Yak tracks all over Pete's Hill. We like things that help people get outside and breathe the good air, and these help out a bit.

The Tree Question

Lately I've been having an internal struggle. Not one that keeps me up at night, but something that has me thinking. If one choses to have a tree for their holiday celebration... what is the most responsible way to go about it? Abstinence is obviously an option, but we're starting with the premise that one has chosen to have a tree. So, I reckon there are 3 ways to go:

1. Buy a plastic tree and re-use it every year

2. Buy a tree from a commercial tree farm

3. Harvest your own

Here are my thoughts. The main elements involved in my thinking on the subject are environmental impact, aesthetics, and cost.


1. Buy a plastic tree and re-use it every year

Most plastic trees I've seen around Bozeman are cheap looking and cost $65 - $100. I didn't want to pay that much for a cruddy looking tree, especially when I don't have much room to store one. I definitely could find a spot in the garage if I really liked a plastic tree. I had one growing up, and it served it's purpose well.

2. Buy a tree from a commercial tree farm

I can't figure out whether it's responsible to support the local tree growers. I'd rather support them, but some of the "local" trees I looked at came from as far away as Kalispell. That's sorta weird, in my opinion. For a 7 ft. tree I was looking at anywhere from $25 - $70, depending on which type of tree. Not a bad price, I suppose, but since I've never owned a tree before, I need a stand as well... $20. They look good, but is that a healthy, sustainable practice those companies are employing? I honestly don't know the answer to that question.


3. Harvest your own

In Gallatin County, for $5.00 you can purchase a Personal Use Christmas Tree Permit from the Beareau of Land Management to go cut down a tree under 12 ft. on National Forest Land. They give you a map of where to do it, and some guidelines such as... stay at least 100 ft. from roads, don't harvest at campgrounds national monuments, cut as close to the ground as possible, etc.

After initially reprimanding my friends who wanted to harvest their own tree.. "Why on earth would you go cut down a live tree?!" I started to see the upside.

One thing I know is that in this situation I have control over how the tree is harvested. I have no idea what happens at tree farms. Plus, I could find a tree that appealed to my sensibilities, get some exercise, and only spend $25 (stand included). Zeus liked the idea, so we headed up to Hyalite to find one. After an hour or so of trying to find the perfect tree, I feel we did. After an anti-climactic 24 seconds of sawing, it was a done deal. I felt good about it. I don't know why, particularly, but probably just one of those inate caveman male pride things. "Uhgha...look what me did!".


More romantically speaking, it reminded me of Thoreau... "Every man looks at his woodpile with a kind of affection." Truer words have never been spoken.

Essentially, I'm wondering what other people think about this issue. Maybe nobody does think about this issue... and I should start spending my time knitting or whittling. One thing to be clear about, although that in my thirtieth year on earth I'm becoming more and more in tune with the condition of our environment and my personal impact to it, I'm by no means a "hard core" environmentalist. You can tell that from the photo of my gas guzzling truck above. But I feel that I'm like many of my peers... trying to make some positive changes as I go along.

Here's one interesting alternative I just found... rent a live tree, root ball and all!

Bus to Big Sky

In a county pretty much void of public transportation, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Big Sky Transportation Service is now offering year-round bus service between Bozeman and Big Sky. This is a very good thing for our area. First of all, Highway 189 has to be one of the most treacherous highways around. It's a two lane winding mountain highway, complete with anxious skiing and riding afficianados, construction workers late to their great paying jobs in the Yellowstone Club, tourists on the way to Yellowstone National Park, and commercial trucks making their way down through West Yellowstone to Idaho and Wyoming. Throw in nasty Montana winter weather and it's a recipe for disaster.

If this bus can get 25-50 cars off of that highway each day this winter, Highway 191 will be a safer, cleaner place. It could be a great way to meet people, or just sneak a nap, read the paper, and have a bagel and coffee on the way up to the hill. Best of all, you can toss on a buzz apres ski and ride down worry free. That sounds decent to me.

The bus to Big Sky will run every day, leaving the SUB at MSU at 5 am, 7:45 am, 9:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 5:30 pm. It's free until December 15, then the fee will be $5 per one way trip. Monthly passes will also be available for $60 for unlimited rides.

Either way you slice it, the more public transportation we start to see around here, the better. $10 round trip makes sense for sleeping to the top, riding all day, having a few drinks, then relaxing on a safe ride home. Kudos to the Big Sky Transportation District for their efforts.