Blown - Life after my ACL rupture - 1

The following is the first in several posts I plan to write about my new adventure involving the injury to and subsequent reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament of my left knee. Before starting to write, I was conflicted about even doing this. I could just suffer in silence and get on with the business at hand. But with an extra 15 to 20 hours a week on my hands and a real need to quell some demons in my head, I decided that writing about the experience would be good medicine. I also believe that documenting this medical adventure may provide insight to other members of our tribe that might face the same road someday. This injury leads to a series of important decisions that many skiers are completely ill-prepared to make. I hope these pages provide a resource for making well-informed decisions about treatment and ultimately, return to the sport we love.

Click to read more ...

Breaking Down

I guess it was bound to happen. Shit, I’ve lasted longer than many of my peers. But, at some point in many athletes’ lives, real injury happens and the consequences have to be navigated. This is my injury story.

Click to read more ...

Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg Come to Mount Marathon 2015

Mount Marathon 2015 is finally here. For those paying attention to the mountain running scene probably know that Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg are both making an appearance at the 100^th running of the event.

Matias Saari, Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg in Anchorage this week.

Click to read more ...

Dave Rosenbarger 1976-2015

Goddamn it's been a tough few months for the ski alpinism community. We've lost some of our best and my heroes keep falling. Today, Dave Rosenbarger died high above the Hellbroner on the Italian side of Mont Blanc near Chamonix.

Click to read more ...

Northern Exposure

Sunburst Ridge, Turnagain Pass, AKIn spite of the grim, dry and warm weather around Anchorage so far this winter, the precipitation has been pumping through the Kenai Penninsula and dumping snow up high. The road is still mostly dry requiring some walking through the alders to get to the goods but at least there's skiing. However, the funky weather patterns have created some sketchy deep layers that shed some light on the realities of Alaska skiing that I think are worth discussing. Slick rain crusts and buried surface hoar are currently persistant worries for all who venture up there.

Click to read more ...