Alaska! Our New Home

Alaska! Christina and I have been living in Alaska now for about a month. When we first starting thinking about what it might be like up here, a number of different thoughts came to mind. Surprisingly it has been better than we could have expected or guessed

Alyeska Skiing

After a month in Alaska Christina and I have been looking to do some Tele Skiing on the local terrain.

Hagen Gorge

Hagen Gorge is located in Washington is a fun Class 4/5 creek. Here is a video showing off the crew running down the section at a medium flow around 3200cfs.

Learning to Tele Ski

This year Christina and I decided, with the help of Kellie and Tyler, that it was finally time to learn how to Tele Ski. For those who do not know, here is a little history...

Copper Creek

With Christina on break from Nursing School we have been able to get out 2 days this week to paddle on some fun Class 5 runs. Hagen earlier this week and now Copper Creek. Thankfully we have had a good amount of rain to bring both in for an entire week.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Alyeska Skiing

After a month in Alaska Christina and I have been looking to do some Tele Skiing on the local terrain. Unfortunately it took a month but we finally got the chance to see Alyeska Resort! Our day on the mountain was awesome and we had a ton of fun. What really made us admire Alyeska was the sheer gradient compared to anything we have skied before. 50% of the mountain is Real Double Black Diamond runs that make your heart leap when you get to the top. It made us really look at our Tele skiing skill and want to improve so that we could ski such amazing terrain. Thankfully by the time next season starts we will have some season passes to help improve our skills. Anyway, below are some pictures of our day skiing the Blue runs on Alyeska and all the fun we had doing it. Enjoy!


From Alyeska Skiing
Driving to Alyeska


From Alyeska Skiing
Driving into the Resort


From Alyeska Skiing
Christina at the Base


From Alyeska Skiing
Happy riding up the SLOW "Raindow Like" Chair lift


From Alyeska Skiing
Looking at the view half way up the mountain


From Alyeska Skiing
Christina admiring the view at the tip lift


From Alyeska Skiing
Looking the other direction from the previous picture


From Alyeska Skiing
One of many fun Blue Runs


From Alyeska Skiing
Christina coming down!


From Alyeska Skiing
Looking back up what we came down


From Alyeska Skiing
Me getting ready for another run at top of Chair lift 2


From Alyeska Skiing
Riding the lift again


From Alyeska Skiing
Sorry Christina you can not do that Double Black At the Moment


From Alyeska Skiing
Looking at one of many double black ledges


From Alyeska Skiing
This is the Face that has 8+ Double black runs which were closed for the day


From Alyeska Skiing
The top chair lift


From Alyeska Skiing
Christina happy at the end of our day!


From Alyeska Skiing
Christina and I enjoy the day!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Alaska! Christina and I have been living in Alaska now for about a month. When we first starting thinking about what it might be like up here, a number of different thoughts came to mind. Surprisingly it has been better than we could have expected or guessed. It is cold yes, but what you normally do not hear is the amount of sun Anchorage gets. I would consider this place to be a lot like Bend, OR with temps that are a little cooler. Anyway, Christina and I have found a number of fun activities already to do around the area. Cross country skiing, hiking, camping in a yurt, finding new restaurants, and sight seeing. I have posted a few pictures below showing off the moving process from our last day in Bend to our first few days in Anchorage. Enjoy!



From Moving to Alaska!
In Bend, OR ready to Move!



From Moving to Alaska!
I think it is full...



From Moving to Alaska!
What Oregon Sends us off with. A HUGE storm the day we drive out.



From Moving to Alaska!
Of Course Nala had to come.



From Moving to Alaska!
Walking Nala to go Pee



From Moving to Alaska!
Nala enjoying the Hotel Room



From Moving to Alaska!
Arriving at Anchorage. View from the Plane.



From Moving to Alaska!
Christina and I's Apartment!



From Moving to Alaska!
Christina outside our place



From Moving to Alaska!
Where Christina Works!



From Moving to Alaska!
The view next to our apartment



From Moving to Alaska!
One of Many Ski Trails



From Moving to Alaska!
What the roads looked like when we first moved here.



From Moving to Alaska!
Christina and I happy!



From Moving to Alaska!
Finally enjoying some Tasty food!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Learning to Tele Ski

This year Christina and I decided, with the help of Kellie and Tyler, that it was finally time to learn how to Tele Ski. For those who do not know, here is a little history...

From Skiing Day 3 and 4


Christina learned to Alpine Ski at the early age of 9 years old. Ranging from mountains in good old New Mexico all the way to our beloved Mt. Bachelor. Once she moved to Sunriver Oregon the skiing life took off for her during the winter months with Alpine Racing, Training, Lessons, and more hours than you could count on skis. Anyone could watch Christina on the slope and know she should be somewhere in the Backcountry finding a run that challenged her skill. With such a rich background in Alpine Christina knew that Tele Skiing would be a hard but fun change.

For me it was entirely a different upbringing in terms of skiing. I found my way to the Alpine slopes thanks to my mom. Throwing me on some skis at age of 2 I cried and whined my way down those good old bunny hills of Mt. Bachelor. As time progressed and my Step Dad entered my life we moved to the other side of the parking lot, THE NORDIC SIDE, Dun Dun Dun. Here is where I raced my way through life all over the West Coast until the fun age of 16 years old. At that point in my life I found other "more interesting" things to do and left that part of my life behind.

So, now that everyone is caught up on our fun filled life back to learning that fun thing we call Tele Skiing. This new challenging sport Christina and I have chosen to take on his started to kick our butt. Those good old blue runs don't look so flat anymore to say the least. Our legs never stop burning down the hill as we try to hold proper form. And most of all our back leg never seems to stop wobbling.

Well enough typing and back story... I will let a few photos from Ski day 3 and 4 fill in the rest. (Kind of a lack of "Action Shots" due to us just focusing on learning, but next week we will get more!)

From Skiing Day 3 and 4
Foggy!

From Skiing Day 3 and 4
Trying to Learn

From Skiing Day 3 and 4
Christina's Mom and Dad enjoying the Moutain

From Skiing Day 3 and 4
Makita and Tyler Joining us on Marshmellow!

From Skiing Day 3 and 4
My sister and I on the lift

From Skiing Day 3 and 4
Sliding in with Poor Form

From Skiing Day 3 and 4
Rescue Dog Makita and Tyler!

From Skiing Day 3 and 4
The Fam!

From Skiing Day 3 and 4
Parting Shot

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Skiing with the Family!!

This year Christina and I got some Mid-Week Ski passes. With being back in Bend it was important to find some fun stuff to do in Bend during the winter. As we all know Skiing is the best thing to do in the winter! Check out the 2nd day of skiing we had with everyone.

From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

The Mountains!


From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

Sharon and I one lift at 9:30am!

From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

Ski's Up!


From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

Top of the Skyliner

From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

Christina and Her Mom!

From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

We are Nerds...

From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

Pose for the Picture!

From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

All Smiles!

From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

Resting and feeling tired :)

From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

<3

From 2nd day of skiing with mom and debbie

Parting Shot