Send in the congregation.

Now, let’s see. Where were we? Oh yeah, the ski season was unraveling.

(Blacktail)

Actually, I know that no matter how much I complain about it, it won’t do much good, because in reality Montana has it better than almost anywhere else this year. Still, to see it happen in real time is painful. Paired with the loss of after-work skiing in Pattee Canyon (no snow) and Marshall (users are now tresspassers), it’s dire.

So what to do? The weather is good and gas is $1.94 a gallon. Sorta speaks for itself.

Fireworks at the fish:

Slaying the lift line at Blacktail; he even got a few hoots:

Friday night at the bar. They put the babies upstairs:

About 230 came out to our hosting of the Backcountry Film Festival at the Roxy. Between the shows in Bozeman and Missoula we raised a year’s worth of operating expenses. High-fives all around.

I've been working hard and feeling good. Climbed to Snyder Lakes in 2 hours 15 minutes and Bacon Rind in less than 2 hours. Recovery day above Hebgen Lake in the southern Madisons:

Yellowstone National Park:

Earning his turns:

Awful conditions on Running Rabbit. I had heard from two people that this basin was skiable, but all I found was ice, mini-cliffs, and horrendous bushwacking. I gave up after three hours.

Consolation prize on Marias Pass:

More slayage at Blacktail. Just a few days after we skied there I saw an online special offering half-off lift tickets!

Mount Lockhart. The Rocky Mountain Front probably has the worst weather in Montana, so I was super excited to ski this gem with a foot of 5% density snow and zero wind. I missed summiting by about 200 feet – did not like the cornices.

Continental Divide:

And so winter? Well, a -16 degree morning in Dupuyer at least. Pretty, but not so fun camping.