When I was going to college I knew that I needed to get my Bachelors Degree and then I could do anything that I wanted that made me happy so this winter I did just that. Instead of following the conventional route and using my degree, at the last second I accepted a minimum wage job at Sun Valley Resort.
It was by far one of the best decision yet. I finally stepped outside of my comfort zone and started living life. I met many new friends and had lots of new experiences. At the beginning of the season, I didn't know how to ski and haven't skied since I was four or five years old but with help from my friends and working at the ski resort I changed that. I had two main goals at the end of the year, I wanted to be able to ski a double black diamond and be able to ski powder. I was able to accomplish those goals as well as more.
Snowbasin
Snowbasin
At my College graduation the person that spoke to us, read a quote that said: "Life begins when you step out of your comfort zone". I have definitely taken that quote to heart. As much as I miss the feeling of not going back to Sun Valley this winter I look forward to this winter at Grand Targhee and the experiences that I will have there.
That's why you ski bum, because it's all upside with no cost. You might win big, you might not, but you won't lose. You ski bum because nobody should take themselves seriously for a lifetime. And the powder. As wrong as I was about so many things at 22, I was right about that.--Christopher Steiner
It was late October and the mountain lake fishing went south, what do you do? You climb an 11,000ft peak. The Devils Bedstead has always intrigued me and I think it because I have more appreciation for peaks that aren't over 12,000ft since they get climbed all the time. I like to do things that many people don't end up doing and even though the Bedstead is one of the more popular peaks in the Pioneers nobody was going to climb it this time of year. I was definitely cautious on this hike because of the snow. I was ready to turn back at any moment if I felt like the climbing was not safe. With that being said, everything went smoothly and I was able to climb it in a respectable time. From the trailhead to the top it took me 3 hours and 9 minutes without really pushing myself. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone, the mountain itself looks a lot harder and technical from the valley but once your up there it's not too bad.
I was finally able to talk Jusitn into attempting the Smyer Challenge with me. It took me awhile to convince him but I told him that the fishing and the views will outweigh the 13 mile hike.
Fall Creek
Fall Creek Lake
I had just came off of a trip to Lake X where I didn't catch or really saw anything so I was excited to do this trip and get into some fish. I really don't mind the hike up Fall Creek because its one of my favorite places to go. I love the remoteness of it and the pristine lakes that Fall Creek has to offer. It also holds a lot of thick pockets of tall tress, its just something about Fall Creek that is hard to explain something so beautiful.
Fall Creek Lake #2
Fall Creek Lake #2
We really didn't watch the clock throughout the day since Justin hasn't been to the majority of those lakes but he did complete the challenge and was able to catch a fish at every lake and make it back to the trailhead in under 12 hours. I would have to say though that he struggled big time at Fall Creek Lake since the goldens are so skittish their. It was great experience to be able to share this beautiful place and look forward to the next time I head back there.
