Jeff Campbell

Kristin and I are off to ski Mt. Baker and check out some Olympic action in Vancouver.

Also, don't miss the Legend Glen Plake on ABC if you're not sleeping in your car like us this weekend.

 So, I've had a bad case of make-my-own-binding-itus for a couple years. 2 years ago, I turned out this monstrosity of a gem for my Senior Design Project:

Congratulations to Steve Lloyd for getting me onto the cover of the February issue for Backcountry Magazine! This was taken in the Heart of Darkness Couloir last year and is a shot where all the credit lies with the Steve. When Steve and I have skied the Heart of Darkness in the past, it's always been a "Dark" and gloomy run, go figure.

Lets face it, in the wide world of ski gloves, leather gloves reign supreme. Their durability and dexterity outshines any other cloth or gortex glove. However, without the proper treatment, even new leather gloves will eventually become sponges as the manufacturers original coating wears off (especially up here in the PNW).  Proper water proofing is even more critical when touring in the back country as pulling skins off or putting them on, wallowing through deep snow while putting in a booter, or digging a snow pit are sure to soak any untreated glove.

This is a recap but  Steve Lloyd and I are stoked to have gotten Honorable Mention in POWDER Magazine's Photo of the Year.

Congrats to Dan Treadway and Eric Berger for their winning shot.

While I'm not in Utah this season, I have still be tracking their weather closely. There were 5 avalanche burials (and fortunately no deaths) this week.

Well, nothing puts the awh  and respect back into you blood than watching these.....

Forecasts are looking the best they have in a few days/weeks/ or for that matter, all season.

from cliffmass.blogspot.com/ here are not 1, 2 or 3 but 4 storms headed our way.

The debate over the pros and cons of different telemark bindings will rage for a long time. The Black Diamond 01 is a great binding because of features such as the tour mode, the Rid-Stiff springs, and weight. While the 01 performs much better than other bindings I've been on, the largest con has to be the minimalist 4-screws holding the binding to the ski. Black Diamond recommends using a standard epoxy for mounting. I probably skied over 10k+ vert on leg as seen below due to these ripping out at inconvenient locations (i.e.

.

I've had an interesting week since finishing finals.

We skied in the rain. A lot.