I put my wheel skis on a week ago, but the snow here locally is just deep enough to keep me out of my Bushwheel equipped favorite local sites (now that I have the 6:00's on, one of the compromises of the wheel skis) but just thin enough to not let me into my favorite ski sites. I've been taking off my strip on the wheels, and then climbing above and finding barely enough snow to use the skis. Most days coming back with grass in the ski linkage after dodging sage brush after the slide out.

So today on short notice I decided to just fly north, if the snow wouldn't come to me, I'd go to it! I ended up somewhere on the Idaho/Wyoming border about 80 miles away. I'm not sure what the range is called but the peaks were real pointy. This first site was at 9400', had a few trees to make it interesting, and a decent view on approach.

This second site I almost passed on, I had actually started descending to a nearby cafe for a lunch break, and spotted the site above me as I passed over a ridgeline and I just couldn't pass up taking a look. Then once I got there figured might as well land. This site was 9800', and the visible crevasses gave me some pause, I really didn't want to mess with them so made real sure not to. The plateau above would have got me above the 10K mark, but I figured no use being greedy, I'll save that one for another time. 15 mintues later I was in a great airport cafe drinking really good coffee and ordering what turned out to be popcorn shrimp with Thai sauce, served by a young cute friendly local. I couldn't help thinking better here then still up there digging out..... both sites I didn't get out of the plane, the snow was deep and not real consolidated from the feel of it. I decided it would be a lot more convinent to just make some tracks, and spend the night at home rather then winter camping for a few days. The rest of the flight home was more my usual stuff, checking out old farm equipment and poking around down low and making a lot of full stop and slider touch and goes. I'm trying to be low key about the mountain landings, but in truth they were my highest ski landings yet and I feel a lot better now about the lack so far of local snow

courierguy wrote:I'm not sure what the range is called but the peaks were real pointy.

Outstanding pics, CourierGuy!

Beautiful pointy peaks are always nice to look at. The name of the range is almost on the tip of my tongue, but somehow it always eludes me. They really look like a handful. Somehow, I can't quite put my finger on it.

Hey Courier Guy,
I got out of the freezing fog to do a little ski flying in North Idaho too. Your pictures a great!

Merry Christmas

James

Tom.. It was a glorious day to fly.. Once the ice fog lifted. You were only 9.2 miles from my hangar on the highest marking.... Good to see you out and about... Maybe Alpine for breakfast this winter ????

Ben.

very cool!

Could those be the Tetons on the Idaho --- Wyoming boarder just east of a little Idaho town of Driggs. There are pointy for sure.

skybobb wrote:Could those be the Tetons on the Idaho --- Wyoming boarder just east of a little Idaho town of Driggs. There are pointy for sure.

We have a winner!

And, today's language lesson: Teton is the French word for breast.

kevbert wrote:

skybobb wrote:Could those be the Tetons on the Idaho --- Wyoming boarder just east of a little Idaho town of Driggs. There are pointy for sure.

We have a winner!

And, today's language lesson: Teton is the French word for breast.

Then it should say "Witche's" in front of it!

Kevbert:

Beautiful pointy peaks are always nice to look at. The name of the range is almost on the tip of my tongue, but somehow it always eludes me. They really look like a handful. Somehow, I can't quite put my finger on it.

lol

I'm not saying exactly where it was, but the French speaking maker of the Datum skis sure got a kick out out of it!

Stol:
I'm going to be in and out of the Box Y Lodge doing some solar work, I'll call ya.

For you snowmachiners out there: www.boxylodge.com The ONLY way in there is 30 miles by snow machine I kept a straight face when the owner was telling me this, while I was thinking " this is going to be the start of a beautiful business relationship!" Then I told him I didn't care or not if I sold him any solar gear, but I WOULD be flying into the ranch, and we shortly thereafter had a deal, and a great one for both of us

That's one of my favorite places to ride. You were legal by about a mile, maybe more if you can take planes into the Jed Smith Wilderness.

Nosedragger wrote:That's one of my favorite places to ride. You were legal by about a mile, maybe more if you can take planes into the Jed Smith Wilderness.

If you are riding your sled where those ski tracks are you have alot to lose... Like your sled and about 10,000 bucks.. Jus sayin..

Stol wrote:

Nosedragger wrote:That's one of my favorite places to ride. You were legal by about a mile, maybe more if you can take planes into the Jed Smith Wilderness.

If you are riding your sled where those ski tracks are you have alot to lose... Like your sled and about 10,000 bucks.. Jus sayin..

You're right. The first pic looked like SPring Creek but it's not that high. Nuf said about those tracks.