Twenty years ago, before cell phones and rescue beacons, I completed a 21-day solo ski traverse across the crest of Wyoming's Wind River and Gros Ventre mountain ranges. The experience was life-changing and became one of the first of many long wilderness journeys.
Jackson Hole Skier, Winter 1996
“Not too subtly, then, I was trying to expose my delegates
to the new generation to the good things that could happen if they were to turn
their skis to the wilderness for a few winter week ends at least. They would
have new frontiers to explore every time there is a new fall of snow. They
would find country – especially the Western uplands – measured in millions of
acres where skis have never penetrated. They would learn that there is need for
all their new skill in inventing ways to achieve more mobility and safety with
less weight. In the course of all this, they would also find out that in winter
one of the finest methods of transportation ever invented is a man’s own two
feet – plus seven-foot skis.” - David Brower
Now THAT'S a ski tour. Wow.
ReplyDeleteBOOM! A legendary WY ski tour that inspired at least several others that I know of to do the same.
ReplyDeleteNice work. The detail about camping on the top of Downs on the last night in Winds is one I always enjoy telling.
-Win
This is awesome, the long ski traverse community in the United States is really small, and I am glad I stumbled across this!
ReplyDeleteForrest, it's been awesome reading your collection of large tours. Two season ago I got to retrace your Gallatin Traverse, then later run the spines of the local ranges from Bozeman to Red Lodge. Now, a few of us are looking at your Absaroka Traverse lines for the coming spring. Thanks for inspiring!
ReplyDelete