Trenching in the Wasatch

Ski touring with your friends…. It is not always about getting the steep, deep, first tracks, or first D. It’s about doing what you love. It’s about being outside with your friends. Choosing the right terrain on the right days. Making good decisions. Taking memorable photos, and leaving nothing but sweet, sweet tracks. At the end of the day you and all your friends know the cold frothy beverage in your hand is well deserved!

Deep Turns in Mustang

Brad Foley on the Alta Ridge

This year the touring in the San Juan’s has been limited by sketchy conditions, though it ’s still possible to get out there. The big lines will be there later in the season. Conditions will change, new lines will fill in, when it happens we will be there. For more touring with friends photos, check out the web gallery at the following link: http://www.chasonphoto.com/SkiTouring/

Enjoy the journey, ski safely out there…..

The Edge of Never by William A. Kerig

The Edge of Never is a nonfiction book about a young skier, Kye Petersen, who travels to Chamonix to ski the run that killed his respected, big-mountain skiing father, Trevor Petersen. The story is about an older guard of skiers (including Glen Plake and Mike Hattrup) sharing their love and respect for the mountains with a younger skier.

I believe that skiing is an incredible way to share meaningful time, conversation, and experiences with friends and family. Ultimately, The Edge of Never highlights the selflessness, loyalty of family, tradition, and respect that grows the community and culture of skiing.

Bill Kerig did an excellent job with this book. It flows well and is a fast read. The book will make you contemplate and get psyched for the upcoming season, an upcoming trip, and/or your next day of skiing.

Check out www.theedgeofnever.com

Have you read it?  If so, let me know what you think.

The American Solar Energy Society featured Wagner Custom skis’ ultra-modern, clean and green ski factory in its December 2008 issue of Solar Today magazine.  Solar Today recognized Wagner Custom for its industry leading energy and recycling initiatives.

Wagner Custom is by no means perfect.  However, the company has several energy and waste reduction initiatives in place that help reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

Regarding energy, Wagner Custom first focuses on simple energy efficiency and conservation measures to minimize their overall energy loads.  The company’s entire factory floor is heated by a large solar thermal array (see image above).  To offset its electricity loads, Wagner Custom purchases high quality wind-energy credits that support farmer-owned wind turbines in the Midwest (see Native Energy Farmer Distributed Wind Projects).

Regarding waste stream reduction, Wagner Custom recycles it’s steel and plastic scraps while reusing (and selling) its wood core scraps as kindling.

The Solar Today magazine feature can be seen on page 25 of the December issue at http://www.solartoday-digital.org/solartoday/20081112/