Chris Gibisch

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Summer is Approaching

The weather is becoming great around here; warmer temps, blue skies, and beautiful sunsets. Its an awesome time of year where just about every recreational activity I can think of is an option. Temps are warm enough to begin summer activities yet there is still snow in the high county to ski on. Just can't beat living in the mountains.

In the LZ

Setting up at launch

Last week Jeff and I ventured to Tarkio in hopes of finding dry enough rodes to make it to launch. After a few tries we made it and found a nice dry launch site. Conditions appeared to be great; a slight west wind with nice cycles moving through launch. After a quick set up I was standing on launch. A few powerful steps and I was in the air for the first time this year. Everything came back to me and it felt great to be in the air again. Conditions turned out to be more difficult than expected so after 15 minutes I headed to the landing zone. The wind direction was blowing 90 degrees cross from what we saw earlier and with barely enough altitude, I squeaked in a nice approach and landed. Moments later Jeff landed rather than fly around by himself for an hour.

Beth

Eric spotting me

The temps have been wonderful for rock climbing also. Not so warm as to get all sweaty but not so cool than your fingers get cold. I've put in a few days at the local crag and am pretty motivated to try and climb some routes. Its just a matter of staying motivated which can be a difficult thing when my head is in the clouds. Just have to wait and see.

Levi

Eric

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Knolle's Party

Last weekend about 10 of us went skiing for Patrick's bachelor party. We headed into the East side of the Mission Mountains for four days and brought enough gear to be more than comfortable. The weather was stormy so visibility was poor and skiing options limited, but we all had a blast. Clint summed it up was he said, " I just can't stop smiling." It was great to spend time with friends I see often and those who I seldom see. Hopefully we can all do it again sometime.

Base camp

Randy

Some of the posse

Jeff and Kris

Patrick

Kris

Poor Patrick

Saturday, March 14, 2009

More Skiing

Wednesday brought beautify weather which stuck around for Thursday and with nothing better to do, I went skiing. A posse of us went out Wednesday and tracked up the mountain. The turns were so good and conditions so stable that I had to head back the next day for seconds.

It was nice to group up the first day, but there is something special about being in the mountains all alone. Its quite intimidating, but the silence and scenery are breath taking. The first turn is a lot like a trust fall...

Bob skinning up the ridge

The South bowl once we finished with it

The group on the summit

Karl cresting the summit

Friday, February 20, 2009

Backcountry Bliss

Last Saturday marked the beginning of a 5 day backcountry ski fest. I went into the Bitterroot mountains South of town to ski couloirs, then traveled to the Swan mountains and hour East of town to yurt ski.

The couloirs were awesome. Two different lines, both about 2,000ft long. One with wild exposure and the other, a tight avalanche chute.

Couloir #1

Boot'n up the line

Brian

Ben

Ben skinning up couloir #2

Ben and I at the bottom

Sunday night I got home, unpacked, tried gear, and repacked. My roommate Erin and four of our friends head out for a few days of yurt skiing. The terrain was short, but excellent and the yurt was an amazing place to heads back to every night. We had great turns, amazing food, and wonderful company.