Winter of Skiing La Grave 10'-11'

Then February came and the following is my mission to Europe.  I began a 10 week journey to La Grave, France for one of the best winter sessions of my life! I hope to stay longer discovering and learning the European alps more this season.  If you like the mountains and have never been to the Apls, a trip is mandatory; it will change your perspective of mountin travel forever.  The lift access is truly amazing and mountains are a way of life for many.  I based out of La Grave and worked as an independently contracted guide, spending most weeks working out of The Skiers' Lodge La Grave. This lodge offers all inclusive off-piste guided ski packages with one of the most affordable prices and amazing guides.  It's a privilege to work in this small 12th century village with just one lift, accessing 7,200 vertical feet of uncontrolled and  un-patrolled area and a population of only 600.  La Grave is a small village with north facing terrain and south facing pubs.
Laura came to visit me in March which was the highlight of my stay, and it was great to be able to share it with her and great people from all over the world.  I wound up meeting up with friends old and new.  My pal, Iraitz, aslo showed me a sampling of super rock climbs and some great times at the Refuge Promontoire this spring in the the Parc des Ecrins, Haute Alps. Day dream...

Le Telepherique - cable car w/ Le Rateau .

Happy Skiers !

La Meije and zone of danger

Laura schralping La Voute

The Village of La Grave

Nice fresh wind buffed pow at Montgenevre

Top of the cable car with the daunting pyramid of  La Mejie behind.

The mountains of the Parc des Ecrins from the Refuge Promontoire

Guiding Ken and Ben on the Breche du Rateau.

Laur, surfing the piston bully across to the tele-ski toward Pic de La Grave at 3500m for a 2,400m lap    

Laura on path to ski route La Voute 2,400m

Getting some in La Voute

 La Voute, Laura and a very stoked guided group

View off the Back Porch of Refuge Promontoire of S face of La Meije.

The happy view of the upper 2,000m of Les Enfetchores.

Powder fields...south side of col de la Lauze

 Many agreat cafe and inspiring times at The Les Ruillans /Troismilledeux Chalet

12th Century Church, incredible.

Guiding and giving way too many directions.

Party Time in La Grave with The Derby de La Meije Parade.

With tons of pics taken over the La Grave season, this is the mist memorable.  Pro Joe Vallone skis the Pan de Rateau NAKED for the all time score in the game of G.N.A.R.! proud send Joey!

The sun sets on  La Meije from the village of La Grave

 Great fun climbing with Iraitz in les Freaux. A season not to be forgotten.

Recap Early Winter 10-11

  With a new winter ski season ahead I figure I should say a few words and show some shots from last year. To set up the season it was dumping in the northwest, freezing as usual in Montana, and brilliant in Jackson.  I was able to spend many days at Crystal Mountain and Mt. Rainier...pure skiing fun and leaving fresh tracks! Thanks to all the Partners, Ski Buddies, Guides, Mentors, Clients, Family and especially Laura J Rodgers.  

First days-Mount Rainier photo: LJR

Golden Gate photo: LJR

Edith Crk. photo: LJR

Laura doing the hike to the King at Crystal.

Shredding pow @ Crystal: Laura, Seth, Leah, Solveig   

Crystal Back Country: Solveig, Seth, Chris

Crystal lakes area view of the Rainier Horn

In this back country No spooning! Seth Ripping

Guess we should do more? The Waterfalls and Laura

The only photo I took on an RMI 6 day winter Seminar.  Cold and Icy! Great folks and supper fun winter training!

Had a wonderful time on the Idaho side of the Tetons thanks G dub and Sue. This tree so cool and a prime example of why Idaho is so great!

G dub checking the snow in a GNAR cooler.

Sweet short trip to the Victor, ID zone

The Fly and the Zipper on Lane Pk. w/ Laura on a splitter day. Rainier behind.

Laura ready to summit Lane pk. and ski this perfect tube! 

One of the nicest days of January. Laura sends the last few feet of Lane Pk.

Summit Lane Pk.

What winter dreams are made of....

                    

Rocktober

I just returned from three weeks of wonderful blue sky's, wrestling rocks in the red rocks of Nevada and the grand ditch of Yosemite California. I am fortunate to have spent time with many great friends old and new. I am also lucky to have had few days on the stone with my mom Sharon. Thanks for coming Ma! The most grand fortune was having Laura this whole trip she is the rope-gunning, bag hauling, hold the rope down, cobra drinking, sandwich making, rope swinging princess and love of my life.

The Red Rocks I love this place for the rock season warm up. It has big grips, friendly to the tall, soft grades, long routes, sticky stone, warm temps, great adventure, amazing canyons and great camping if you know the spot... best of all cheep beer, gas, and food. What more could we ask for?

Red Rocks Black Velvet Canyon

My Mom entering the Frog hole on Frog land

Mom crushing pitch 1 Ginger Cracks

My Lady's on top of Whiskey Peak

The motley crew Mark, Moe, Laura, and Me. No fun here!

Laura cruz'n p3 Dream of Wild Turkey's 

Rapping The Challenger. super route.. Jay smith route 10d really?

The ultra classic Epinephrine! Suppa

The Elephant's Trunk Epi

Lady's day out nice one MOE!!

Laur the rope gun the cave pitch, Community Pillar

Part II: The Yosemite National Park is buy far the best place on the planet for warm weather granite rock wrestling. It sports the best in big walls, mulit-pitch, single pitch, trad, sport, bouldering , slack line, high line, rope swings and illegal base jumping. Providing free showers with soap after oct. 15, cooler temp, free bus transportation, 90 cent malt liqueur tallboys, and New free internet. 

        

   

The Captain

Laura rope guns the Central Pillar of Frenzy

Laura p1 of pillar of frenzy

Liberty Cap Southwest Face Grade V

p2 Lib Cap 10- amazing splitter

p4 bolt dowel ladder

Laura rolling her eyes at an aid climbing flustercuss

Mark look's like you like wall climbing?

Finding my groove p 5

Laura and Mark cleaning and hiking p 5 Lib cap

Moe crushing it to the bivy ledge with Nevada Falls

I no like squeeze on first pitch, off da bivy!

Getting high on the wall, entering the manzanita maze..

Mark gets true high point Liberty Cap via one arm press! 

Team of 4 Happy times atop Lib Cap. Thanks M&M w/ Half dome South face yonder.

A nice wall out of the hub bub SW Face Liberty Cap w/ Great free climbing!

The rocktober provided great times with a number of memorable routes and time with our other monkey friends. It is the best part of having a seasonal profession. The freedom to take extended periods of time to spend with friends and family out adventuring. "Keep it Tight" in those hills until next time.