Trip Report....Utah Mini and Gordy's Camp
Ok...w/o pics but should be of interest nonetheless.
First off, I want to apologize to all of you at the mini for not getting to any events. The camp simply took up too much time. But I did meet the following maggots: GT40, Endlessseason and CultVO (all co-campers); phUnk, who is much taller in real life; and one other in line at Collins, whose name I forgot, but was skiing Bros and responded to a request for change.
A phUnk note....as I was in humble mode from skiing with Gordy, Brant Moles and Rick Greener, I made no derisive comment about the fact that he was heading to the terrain park to go jibbing. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Anyway, the camp...the coaches were excellent. All of them focus on similar issues, but from slightly different perspectives, and as you rotate among them, things start to stick. There is a minimum of chatter, and lots of skiing. They are all generous with their time after class and genuinely enthused about teaching a bunch of (comparatively speaking) gapers. They are also all very down to earth.
A special thanks from me to Rick Greener, who, along with Gordy, immediately picked up on my boots being too large, as I was flexing my leg, but not moving the shell. Rick measured it and felt I was in a one size too large shell. After class, we went down to the shop (hey, what else could I do when the coach says my boots are too big:D, $$$ ), and after the fitter tried to put me back into a 28, Rick said no way and convinced him to try a 27. The result is I have a new pair of size 27 Technicas which fit great. I immediately noticed a change in my skiing, as did some of my fellow campers. Gordy even said he'd write me a letter saying that my old boots were "dangerous", to give my wife when the credit card bill hits.
GT40, who improved his skiing immensely (I predict a new pair of Dynastars in his future) and I were in the same group and I enjoyed his company very much. Endless skiis like there is no turn shape that he likes (fast) and the last time I saw CultVO, he was flying off a kicker doing about 40. BTW, the name "CultVO" does not refer to some sect which worships Canadian whisky. In fact, he was carrying a flask filled with bourbon.
The groups skiied all over Snowbird and Alta. We hit the Cirque at Alta several times along with various routes off the Hight T, Baldy Shoulder and otherwise throughout Alta. The skiing was plenty difficult, but not so much that it overwhelmed the teaching experience. Prior to the camp, my partner and I climbed to the top of Baldy and bagged Main Chute. I know a lot of you maggots can do that with ease, but it was a bit of an accomplishment for this boy.
Anyway...the camp was great. I highly recommend it and will look forward to a return visit. Thanks to Gordy, Brant, Rick and Sunday coach Chris Collins (who very politely answered the same 20 questions about that triple back he recently did from most of the campers) for time well spent. Those of you who are going to the Maggot camp are in for a treat...just don't take it personally when Gordy tells you that your boots and skis are too stiff. Also, there is a rumor of an accomplished guest photog for the Maggot camp, but I am not going to ruin the surprise. But please don't embarass yourselves photo slutting.
