Kendall Card 2.0

Like many others here in Utah with the increase in the number of Turkey tags this year, I too am new to the ranks of turkey hunting. Although I live in Kamas I put in for Southern Region so that I could reconnect with my uncle Robert who introduced me to bird hunting (dove) nearly 25 years ago. He’d never been turkey hunting either but had seen some while driving the hills near his home in Diamond Valley just north of St. George.

So I headed south for three days of hunting and what an experience it was. It was beyond fun to connect with my uncle whose dry sense of humor had both of us laughing all weekend. We hiked long and far, which both of us enjoy regardless of the hunt but it proved to be the right decision as we found birds. I’ll never forget hearing that first Tom gobble in a small canyon, making my ears ring and my heart skip a beat. Although we saw some birds the two stalks I put on them didn’t end like I had planned, the last one being a roosted bird that spotted me from a mile away and even though I got close enough to get 2 shots off while he flew away he was on to me from a ways out. Saw some great country, some good spots for deer that I’d like to revisit and more than anything I got a good education in turkey hunting.

With the fever to still get a bird, I teamed up with a friend who’s buddy had seen nearly 40 birds in a little canyon in the southern region (I promised not to tell) and who within 15 minutes of arrival had a bird. So we set out for said location and after a boondoggle of directions, private land between us and forest service land we decided that the only way to get there was the hard way so we hiked about 3 miles over ridges and across a couple of valleys to “the spot”.

When we got there, nothing but silence, no tracks and no turkey turds. We were a little dejected. There was a guzzler down valley about 1/4 mile so we went to check it out and found nothing again. Just as we were wondering if we’d hiked all that way for nothing - GOBBLE-GOBBLE! After high fives and dancing like a couple of drunken soldiers (quietly of course), we started up canyon and wouldn’t you know it in our effort to get around into a spot we passed the turkey and it passed us. (more…)

I had to get out of the office. I’m sure you’ve had those types of days when you and the office need some time apart. The blessing in my life is that I can tell my boss (me) that I need to get out. The curse is that I don’t tell myself I need time off enough.

Despite an hour of snow-blowing the driveway today and the late arrival at Butler Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon, I skinned up the trail and as I went my mind seemed to slough off the cares of the office.

Just before topping out Derek and Guy caught me on their 4th lap. About 2 turns into the first of two laps for me, I knew I had made the right call.

On the second lap, I was energized and managed to out skin Derek to the top, a very rare feat. It was either the power euphoria or the Honey Stinger gel and PROBAR combo that I ate. Either way, powder was on the menu for my final run. It got all over my face.

I’d suggest you get out of the office as well. Tomorrow will most certainly be a good day for it.

–image Derek Weiss

I’ve had the privelge of meeting and even skiing with a few of the Utah Avalanche Forecasters over the years. Sure, they’re just like the rest of us, putting their skins on one ski at a time (no, they don’t have magical powers that can do both skis at one time). And while they may ski a bit more cautious than some of us if you’ve met and even skied with one you’ve surely seen that there is something unique about them.

Being a forecaster is a coveted role by many but the numbers dwindle quickly as the “many” soon realize the pay doesn’t really stack up, the hours are terrible (unless you think being up at 5am to send out updates is glamorous) and the annual hunt for a summer job can get old after a season or two.

I suspect it takes a certain quality of person, a certain character to make a successful career at being an avalanche forecaster. I’m grateful for the work they do and support them each year with a little bit of my hard earned money. I recommend you do the same.

My reason for posting this was not to guilt you into donating to a great organization, but to share a piece of today’s report that behind the low pay, the long hours and the summer job searches is a passion at the core of each forecaster.

Each day here in northern Utah the Utah Avalanche Center releases the daily Avalanche Advisory for all areas of the state.

Aside from the daily update of snow conditions, reliable weather and avalanche conditions, I really enjoy reading the little insights, quips, comments and once in a while a line or two that gives an insight into passion that the forecasters have for a life in the mountains.

Today’s report from Drew Hardesty had something in there that the quick reader/skimmer may have missed. Drew has passion for the mountains and I’m glad he shared it in today’s report:

There are those moments in life when you’re outside with good friends, or even alone, and you realize something has changed. The sun shines more brightly, the colors are more vibrant, the powder snow bottomless. It’s like a momentary glimpse of a rainbow after a just after a hard rain – and everyone looks at one another with smiles – and nothing needs to be said. We mark our lives by days like these. This was yesterday in the Wasatch.

Thanks Drew.

I took a sanity day last week and got out with old friends and new ones alike. Destination: Timpanogos.

It seems I have a love affair with this mountain. But how could you not? It’s massive, taking about the same area as Little Cottonwood Canyon if you measured the length of the massif.

Skiing from the summit, right from the top, has been a dream of mine for a while now. It’s good to accomplish a dream.

Thanks to my friend Derek for the video.

Up and Over from piton productions on Vimeo.

I hate to say it, and I know that there are still plenty of good ski days left, but the sunshine and warmer weather have me thinking cycling season will be here soon.

I’m planning on LOTOJA again this year, possibly the Tour de Park City and if I’m lucky, perhaps I’ll ride the 1000 Warriors ride. I’ve been spinning lately but am anxious to get on the Mirror Lake Highway and Wolf Creek Pass soon.

Doesn’t this look fun!?

This is a letter that my friend wrote to the editor of his local newspaper. He’s a very successful businessman who in his mid 30’s semi-retired to take on a new career - climbing rock and mountains (on his own dime of course).

As Wells Fargo (a bank that I have an account with) joined the other financial institutions in holding out their hands to accept some of my and your hard earned money, they figured it was time for a trip to Vegas and where else to stay but at the TOP, the Wynn. After the news broke they ended up canceling the rooms, but it begs the bigger question: When will the opulence stop? (that’s rhetorical)

Capitalism, socialism, whatever floats your boat, the disconnect going on in America today is on the magnitude of one of its finer geographical formations, the Grand Canyon. There are many interesting stories out there to pick from, but one that intrigued me most this past week was the Wells Fargo fiasco. Wells, like most offered, took the Federal Reserve handout to the tune of $25 billion+ with more to follow no doubt. This money comes directly from present and future tax payers no matter which printing press is used. When a whistle blower (read previous employee who enjoyed such junkets her entire tenure) pointed out the obvious, something not hidden or masked in anyway, that Wells was planning a typical annual junket at the most expensive hotels in the lower 48 (Steve Wynn’s latest properties in Vegas), it got the Washington folks thinking just a bit, which can be a miracle within itself at times.

If most tax payers, i.e. even successful entrepreneurs, would never consider $400 per night for a hotel room, particularly in a town where many acceptable rooms can be had for less than $100 per night….why should a company needing government subsidization plan a junket (with all the fixins) at such a hotel? I speak for many small business owners who have always pondered who could possibly justify such travel expenses in their business P&L statement. It is one thing to see some heiress or oil sheik peruse the Wynn lobby, but 1000 bank employees?

This is where we have landed in the land of excess, opulence and irresponsibility. I for one am betting on Wells to easily make it through this period, if for one simple fact….I trust Uncle Sam simply can’t and won’t let this behemoth fall. Wells has yet to write down its California portfolio accurately, smartly waiting out the demise of Bank of America and other competitors as they fight for shareholder survival. Every time a competitor stumbles, Wells picks up pure gold: depositors. This is a game in that the last man standing will reap the benefits of its fallen brethren. So the fact that Wells thought they could simply go ahead with such a junket after taking a 25 billion dollar handout comes as no surprise. Let’s face it, the press is not very savvy in reporting this stuff anymore. If only the infamous and sarcastic Hunter Thompson had his typewriter plugged in today.

Instead, exposure of how the “haves” are sticking it to the “have nots” is being exposed by ex-employees (of which there are a growing number), who are playing out their jealous rages as they are now tossed in with the rest of us booking our rooms at the Holiday Inn Express.

I received a note today from a guy named Eirk who was along for the cat skiing when in 2004 Bryan Rhodes and I went to PC Powdercats on assignment for FeedTheHabit.com

I guess Erik is finally putting a number of his videos up on YouTube and sent me the link.

Even though it’s old powder, it’s still good and fresh in my memory.  The funny caveat to this is that I now live just 20 minutes from this spot and do a fair amount of backcountry skiing just 2 ridges to the west of the big bowl in the video.

I’m in red:

…this good.

…and this good:

On my last lift ride up on John Paul I saw a patroller hiking up to the gate.  I called down to him from the lift and asked if he was going to open it to which he replied “Maybe” with a quirky smile.  Just as we crested the last rise I caught a glimpse of him pulling the closed sign to open. It was game on.

Since it was basically deserted, we were first through the gates and had one of those moments that we who slide on snow live for - untracked lines, 2-3 buddies, nobody around so there’s no hurry, and deep dry powder for as far as you can see below.

The images in my mind of seeing my friends get face shot after face shot with hoots heard over my shoulder as I too indulged will not soon be forgotten.

And what’s a day of pow without The Point: (Nick does the honors while Shawn drops in)

I’ve not really been one for celebrating the new year because in reality each day is the start of a new year, despite what the calendar may read.

But, since the calendar did turn 1 year older, I suppose then that skiing with Alex and Derek in the Uintas was a great way to end the calendar year and an even better way to spend one day.

Video by Derek:

I walked into my friend’s office and he exuberantly told me about a marketing position he knew of that was opening up soon which he felt I’d be good for.  After replying that I didn’t want a job working for anyone, he placed this before me:

While I’m not sure if there is indeed a marketing position opening up soon, I’m sure my 9 year old who took first in the 3rd grade spelling bee last year would be willing to apply as a copywriter for In Utah.

Sure, it’s easy to poke fun of this instance.  The truth of the matter is that we all make mistakes in business and thankfully mine aren’t quite as glaring (most of the time) as the one above.

And no, her name isn’t Chris.  It’s Jen Hardman from Park City TV’s Mountain Morning Show.