Rock Climbing – Ice Climbing – Ski Mountaineering
Risky Business ascends some of the BEST rock in Red Rocks - an improbable and bold traditional climb connecting discontinuous flakes and seams via runout face climbing on the impressive vertical varnished face left of the equally famous Dark Shadows (5.8). Every pitch offers R rated climbing, flawless stone, and exciting movement in an epic setting.
On July 7th I climbed the Nightcrawler, a spectacular five pitch 5.10+ on the Brownstone Wall in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The route is claimed by many to be the best 5.10 in this world-class climbing destination - stout praise.
The South Teton's Southeast Couloir is one of the steeper Teton ski descents. Considering it's remarkable roadside visibility, it sees very few suitors. Now I know why.
On April 21st, 2025, Bobbi Clemmer and I skied the classic South Face of 10,636 foot Williams Peak in Idaho's Sawtooth Range. With 1,600 feet of consistently pitched fall-line shred, and 3,500 some feet of skiing in full, this must be one of the finest corn descents in the Gem State. We had perfect conditions.
On April 29th, 2025, I skied a rare line on the South Face of the Dike Pinnacle. I'd been dreaming of connecting the dots on this improbable face for many years.
On April 20th I skied the "McGown Triple", linking the Little McGown Couloir, "50 Classic" North Couloir, and KLB Chute for a 4,500 foot day of excellent steep spring skiing on McGown Peak. If I wasn't a McDonald's hater, I would call it the McTriple. Perhaps it has an official name.
On Saturday April 19th, Bobbi Clemmer and I skied the Northeast Face of Mystery Mountain in Idaho's revered Sawtooth Range. We spent three days in the Sawtooths - my first ski trip outside the Tetons in many years.
On Saturday April 13th I had the pleasure of skiing the classic East Face of The Jaw with Bobbi Clemmer, Bailey Haus and Carl Osterburg. That's right, Carl's back on the blog. Upon exiting we tagged the North Couloir of Symmetry Spire, a really neat, relatively tight and seldom skied hallway funneling into Hanging Canyon.
Come April, May, and June in North America, reliable weather forecasts for ski mountaineering are fickle, and the parameters for good ski conditions tighten. Here's my strategy for planning a great day out.
The Northeast Face of Mount Woodring is an unassuming, yet intricate and at times rather severe, 3,000 foot ski descent tucked away in the deep recesses of Leigh Canyon.
Ten Thousand Too Far 