Trip Report....Utah Mini and Gordy's Camp

[irul&ublo]

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, $$$ ), 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.

[Raps]

Thanks for the report - i am beyond stoked for the maggot camp in 10 days.......looking forward to meeting some new maggots and taking it to the next level......

I'll try not to ask Collins about the triple....too much

And i'm pumped for this guest photog you speak of......i will be sure to shine my helmet and get my teeth whitened

[cultvo]

irul. Hey it was cool to meet finally after some exchanges on here. Kudos on the boots. Thanks for including me in your TR. I planned to take pics, but was unable to in the end.

The camp was great. I sure got a lot out of it as everyone else reported. I was amazed watching some of the other skiers in our group improve and start to rip more & more as the camp went on. 40 something moms, elk hunters, maggots, everyone did some cool and surprising lines/chutes/hikes that I wouldn't have guessed they would on the first day.

Looking forward to more time in Ootah.

Apologies for not making any after hours summit events as well. I planned to, but I live at sea level and the I ended up needing the night to make sure I could get the most out of the next day.

maggots rule

[3pin]

Only got to tag along for a day, but it was a pleasure skiing with some of you guys. I've got a few pics that I'll try and post soon for ID.

[Endlessseason]

It was awesome meeting and skiing with all you guys. I had always wanted to meet Irul and it was fun to finally hang out. Cultvo and I were in the same group the whole 3 days. Not only was he fun to ski with but he also gave me excellent tips that I'll try to work on for some time to come (thanks, mang). And yes, I did get some shots of you dropping that Bad News rock. They didn't turn out very good due to low light and distance but I'll post a couple of the best ones later.
StroupSkier was kinda in stealth mode or something cuz I didn't see him too much. I could tell he was having fun, however, because every time I saw him he was smiling.
The other guy who had a permagrin was GT. I mean, he always does anyway, but, this was a super-permagrin.
SquirrelMurphy was the maggot we talked to briefly in line, Irul. He was the one going to the terrain park.
I don't know why I carried my camera around the whole time. I think I only took it out of my pocket twice in the whole three days. That was a little dumb.
I just spent the last two days in pow from opening to close at the Basin and I have a pretty good permagrin going myself right now. Pictures will be posted later.

[Endlessseason]

...and here they are: http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...517#post654517
AND
http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45284