Can I ski with you?

[carpathian]

The Hindu philosophy can be seen as a continually evolving system of ideas. From a western point of view, it might look like a mess of wildly differing rituals and gods, with do discernable thread of continuity throughout. Questions are raised as to the exact nature of these Hindu gods that are not necessarily born out of ignorance, but perhaps from lack of exposure to the material text that have influenced the development of the Hindu religion and it’s surrounding culture.

The Vedas were considered by most to be divinely inspired and written from
1500-600 BCE. As important as they were for the initial development of the Hindu culture, they were superceded by the Epics as playing a more important role in the lives of the Hindus, even though the Epics were known to be written by man.

Written around 500 BCE, The Ramayana (Story of Rama) is a story about a young prince who is exiled to the forest by his father. The Mahabharata (200BCE) is a tale of the battle between the Pandavas and the Kuaravas. Even though the two groups are related families, the Kuaravas are bent on fighting. Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, is prepared to fight but questions Krsna, his charioteer, on the nature of righteousness as it relates to the battle. The conversation between Arjuna and Krsna on the battlefield makes up the content of the The Bhagavad Gita . The story in the Gita is seen as an allegory for the human spirit in search for liberation.

The braided evolutions of the Hindu culture stems from these texts and their many interpretations. Rama and his wife Sita, for example, are said to represent different human relationships as told in the Ramayana. Rama is the ideal son and husband while Sita is the ideal wife, although she could also be considered a model of strength and virtue because she stood her ground to her husband. It is a change from the tradition of the Upanisads when ‘Krsna reveals himself as the ultimate deity filled with love for human beings.’

The Laws of Manu were written through the first century and are seen as the origins of Hindu law. The caste system was becoming more solidified and divided as it went from 4 castes to more then 1000. Women, who had earlier enjoyed being found in the upper castes, had now slipped into a lower position. This is reflected in the Laws of Manu as it describes the various attributes a woman could contribute to society. For the most part, women were seen as a complement to man and his spiritual endeavors. The levels of the caste system also affected the ways laws were applied to the people. Usually the higher the caste, the less the punishment. It seems as if the laws were only there as a basis from were the actual punishments developed. There was no room to sway from the written word as each case was taken in it’s own context. Western thought met frustration when the British tried to regulate and structure the fluidity of the Hindu people in the 19th century.

The Gupta Empire (320-540 BCE) saw not only religious development but gains in math and commerce. The mathematician, Aryabhatta, had calculated Pi and the solar year. The coastal towns grew because of increased trade with more international communities. The Puranas were first starting to be written during the Gupta Empire. Visnu and Siva are returning characters from the original vedic text but with more prominent roles. The evolution of ideas continues as some of the older gods and their roles are lost or forgotten. Visnu is said to come down to Earth as represented by different characters throughout the Epics. He plays a fish in the story of Manu and the flood and he is Rama in the Ramayana. There is debate as to whether, in his 9th incarnation, he is the Buddha talking about non-violence or as the infant/ teenager Krsna falling in love. Siva is represented in contradictory roles like his partner Parvati. Both are worshipped as creators and destroyers. Parvati is one of the first goddess’s top be worshipped as a goddess and not just as a consort to a male god.

Along with increase in goddess worship is an increase in the generally positive expectations people had of the gods. They were understood to be loving and working to help humans through times. Sri, for example, is regarded as the go between for humans and gods. Debate arises as to the exact nature of Sri and her ability to grant salvation.

The notion of the Trimurti comes along around the 4th century BCE. The Trimurti is the combination of Brahma the creator, Visnu the preserver and Siva the destroyer. As with the Christian Trinity, there is debate as to the nature of this multi-faceted image. Is it one god with three personalities or three equal god but one is still in charge? These are western questions. In practice, there is usually one aspect of the trimurti the worshipper focuses on. While the others are important, they are devoted to that one for a reason. Sometimes it is regional or sometimes it is personal.

Sweeping concepts of time are described in the Puranas. It lays out the years as they relate both to gods and men. One divine day equals 4,320 million earth years. It goes further to dissect the divine day into 14 manavantaras, then each into 71 great eons, then each into 4 eons. Each eon is a basic cycle (yuga) and one of those are 4,800 earth years. Right now, we are in the Kali Yuga, the most degenerate of the ages. Continuous decline in righteousness, life span and happiness mark the Kali Yuga. At the end there will be no happiness, no morality. Seven suns will evaporate the seas and the universe will reabsorb back into the body of Visnu.

Many schools of thought developed through the centuries to parallel the devolpments in thinking. The Samkhya school was one of the earliest. It was primarily dualistic and nontheistic while the second school, Yoga, agreed with the dualism but differed with its theistic perspective. The third school of thought, Nyana, concerned itself with philosophy and the nature of knowledge. Vaiseka, the fourth school, discussed the irreducible parts of the universe and the fifth, Purva Mimamsa, talked about the importance of religious ritual. The Vedantas are a school that are in the present and have been around for the last 1000 years. Vedanta philosophy studies the combination of the Upanisads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras. While the Puranas gave explanation and expansion to ideas found in the Bhagavad Gita, the Sutra rely on the Upanisads and Gita to explain the meaning of it’s passages. It was meant as a summarization of the other two texts.

Sankara was a proponent of a nondualistic universe. He believes that the Brahman (God) and the Atman (human soul) are identical and without description. The only reason we do not realize our own souls divinity is because the maya, the illusion, has a grip on our perception of the world and we can’t help but see dualism. With liberation, the soul sees through the illusion and we wake from this dream called life and begin to really live. Critics like Ramanuja bring up the fact that if there is a maya and a Brahma then there must be two separate universes for the allowance for both. It brings to mind the question critics pose to Christians concerning God and his allowance of the devil if He is all-powerful. Sankara maintains that there is only one universe and that simple human disbelief are nothing in the face of soul liberation. The doors to heaven and hell are adjacent and identical.

Patanjali was the first to write down and describe practices already occurring in the third century BCE. His yoga is understood to involve moral, mental and physical discipline while learning to meditate on the ‘single point’ of focus. With correct body positions, breathing techniques and perfection of concentration one may find Samadhi, the final union with god.

The Tantras, written around the 5th century, are independent of the Vedic texts as they have to do with socially unacceptable activities like drinking liquor, eating meat and fish and having sex with people other then your spouse. The idea behind Tantra is the practicing of Kundalini Yoga. Kundalini introduces you to the divine by way of expanding and concentrating your energy up your spine and into your 7th chakra. With the growth of tantra around 500BCE, ritualized magic became more important in the world of medicine.

Hinduism can be misunderstood by a westerner because of its apparent contradictions in theologies and divine characters. The difference seems to be that in the Hindu culture, the individual is allowed to decide for himself in which manner to best communicate with the divine, the best way to exercise the instinct to question why we are here and the religion reflects that attitude. It is as diverse as its people are but still united in an almost nationalistic way. The church is the state by default. In the west we are told we have to bend our will to meet these strict standards laid out before us by the word of god, at the same time the state is forced to be uninvolved with the church for the sake of being politically correct.

In each of the five forms of a god, the god is both representing a single or object and at the same time representing the infinite. The supreme form (Para) is the infinite, intangible, and indescribable. The singular and infinite being equal. Emanations of power from a single source let you know about that source. You have knowledge of the infinite via the singularity, the emanating object. Is that theologically opposite of Para? Immanence of Supreme in heart of individual and heart of universe is cosmic homology. The Brahma and the Atman, indwelling, all of the universe in a blade of grass. Incarnations of the supreme in body form is another way of showing the relation between Brahman and Atman. Is that just going the opposite direction of immanence, divine to singular?

[carpathian]

Oct 20, 2003
Where will my energy take me? I can barely write. Letters lump into scribbles. I have a lot of energy it seems. I like it. Focusing takes effort but results are instantly tangible. Self-evident. I see myself everywhere. On the shelf, in the street, calling to say hello. I can do any of these things. It is fantastic, really. This life is exquisitely entertaining. What is there to complain about? Any work is now simple. 8-10 hours, nothing. My perspective is that of invincibility. But it lies outside of myself, I am not in charge. I have let go long ago. My fingers are mine but they touch only the divinely chosen. Or is the divine that which is only what I touch? Chicken before the egg? I am not doing ‘no wrong,’ the right is my only option. By default, I enjoy the beauty. Perspective on negative issues is my favorite. Who can get down while every option is the best? I have about a million things to do/ Right now I could be doing anything. What do I have to do? Nothing. Everything is my choice and I am the only one to answer to.


I am making a professional ski movie right now. Working on some bike stuff right now as well. What? I plan on pimping around the globe. See some sights, integrate myself somewhere special. Meet influential people. Shape my world to be the best it can be. What limitations are there? None. Even in small town Girdwood, USA, I am available to the infinite that this universe is made of. Anything is available for my picking. Right there! Who am I going to meet tomorrow? Who am I going to meet in the next hour? In one minute? Anyone. My dream girl could walk through the door and I would not be surprised. There she is. Who is she? Have not met yet. No rush, no worries.

I sense the void. Void before perception? Emptiness in the moment? Infinite, nothing and everything. It is that truth again. What is outside of truth? Expression of positive energy in the truth. What else do I need?

Nov 5, 2003
Am I homeless? I don’t think so, though it may seem. Where will I sleep tonight, next week? I don’t know, but am not concerned. I know I will sleep, that is all that matters. Things do turn out better then imagined. How else could they happen? Expansion vs. introversion. Introspection has yielded what it can. Reached the depth of the universe from the inside  out. Expand my territory, free of fear. I have spontaneous visualizations of what it is like to die. Not from my perspective but from that of a bird or dog or another person. The perplexity that follows, comical humiliation. “Oh, should of zigged instead of zagged.” I perceive the consciousness at that level and realize that it is the same level. No different then right now. Now.

I’m getting better now, at understanding my fears or self-imposed negative attitudes. I recognize them. Do I recognize all of them? Doubtful. I guess that is the process, the fun of it all.

The notion of a wife/ spiritual partner keeps coming to me. I feel drawn to the idea in response. I know exactly what I am looking for. I will know it when I see it. Patience. Not to be tempted by into the lower levels of companionship. I know I am not lonely, just seeking complementation. Combined effort.

I consider myself to be the compilation of experience as being current to the moment. My experience is made of the perceptions of my universe.

Nov 19, 2003
I have decided to develop my prosperity consciousness. Never really done that before. Why not? Never thought of it. Some old ways of thinking are harder to break then others. Money is now good to me. It is good for me and everyone around me. My mind and God’s are at work for me at all times.

I have recently seen my attitudes towards money as being less then ideal. The best. I have become accustomed to being supported by god based on my expectations. Time to fine tune my expectations of money and redefine its role in my life.

My existence is my work. My existence is my actions. All of my actions lead to financial gain. What actions do I want to do? Ski powder and swim in the ocean while living like a king! Money is the most direct physical manifestation of energy. Energy is measured and represented by work. My work is my actions I do in my existence. My existence
(focused use of energy) is my medium through which money flows from infinite directions.

I understand my entitlement to a lavish and abundant lifestyle. The universe is infinitely responsive.

Nov 11, 2003
The Taoist and the Confucians describe what it means to be human in different ways. Both rely on harmony to bring their respective concepts of the true self together.

The Taoist search within the person to discover the true nature of self. The perfect man is described by Chuang Tzu as using his mind like a mirror. “It grasps nothing, it refuses nothing. It receives but does not keep.” The perfect mind is not swayed by the subjectivity that is the byproduct of emotion. (or is emotion the byproduct of subjectivity?) The mirror mind accepts things as they are without passing judgment or remaining attached to results of actions or circumstances. The Taoist seeks to bring the self and nature into harmony. Through the concept of the mirror, the Taoist can visualize the self as “ transcending the dichotomy between the self and the world.”

The Confucians differ in several ways in their mode of understanding the nature of the self. While Taoism is primarily intuition based, Confucianism is predominately reason based and while Taoism finds the self to be the product of inner qualities of the individual, Confucianism looks to external factors to cultivate the nature of the self.

Confucians describe the self as the nexus of all interactions between the individual and his social environment. The self is said to be at the center of 5 concentric circles. The self interacts with the family, community, country, and then the world in that order. As the individual learns how to relate to these different groups of people in his life, he is also learning how to relate to himself. It is a network of people, all the center of their own circles, trying to figure out how to be happy with their lives.

Mencius, a Confucian, believed that people were inherently good and that we possess a natural sense of what is right and wrong. This natural tendency plays a factor in the learning process one must follow in order to come to understand our true self. Once our self is realized, we then respond to our family and friends in such a way that it promotes their own understanding of themselves. Hsun Tzu, on the other hand, believed that people are naturally evil. But since we have a higher intellect than other animals, we have the ability to understand the difference between good and evil and we can do good.

The general Chinese thought is that all people have the potential to become sages, but it is only a matter of combining the intuition of Taoism and the reasoning of Confucianism into a harmonious understanding of our place and function in society and the universe.

The Tao is expressed as beauty. Webster’s defines beauty as “the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.” Where is beauty found and how do you know it is beautiful? If the observer was at one with the Tao and since the Tao is the perfect combination of opposing forces for the moment, anything that is being perceived by the observer could be considered beautiful.

If one sees the beauty and inherent goodness in all people and things, is that a reflection of your clear mind or is your clear mind just reflecting the purity of that which is observed? Which comes first?

I think it is beautiful the way nature is constructed. There are no parts that are left out or do not serve some purpose. Everything is supported by everything else in the ecological web, the purest expression of the Tao. Are people not part of the ecological web? Why are things we create not considered natural and in that case, beautiful? Is it because in the process of socializing ourselves we have managed to convince ourselves that in order to survive, we need to have a certain amount of economic flow as opposed to “going with the flow” of the Tao? The flow of the Tao is natural and abundant. By appreciating the beauty in natural things, you are cultivating the beauty in yourself and that in effect teaches you to appreciate the beauty and goodness in other people.

People pick up on that appreciation and it is reflected into their appreciation of themselves and of nature. It is a perpetuating cycle. When you are choosing to see the beauty in a person or situation you are choosing to assume that that person or situation is there for your own progress towards goals and spiritual education. Self-realization truly is a communal effort. Those who function with this simple assumption of goodness and appreciation of the others innate beauty have the ability to be sustained by the web of cause and effect that we are immersed in every moment of our lives. It is beautiful to me to see all of my needs met by forces outside of myself. The Tao is infinitely responsive to those who are aware and looking.

[carpathian]

Nov 29, 2003
I decided to go to a Kundalini Yoga class. Yoga is one of those things that I had always wanted to try in a structured setting but had never taken the time or initiative to open up the phone book to find out where and when to show up. It was a particularly pretty morning as I drove up the Seward Highway from the town of Girdwood, where I live. The crisp, pastel sky reflected the clear mind I was hoping to cultivate as part of the yoga experience. “What exactly does yoga do? What is it good for? Will I like it?” These are some of the questions I pondered as I drove. I had very little yoga experience outside of reading a book off the shelf.

I was on my way to The Kundalini Yoga Center of Alaska. It is located at 1301 Huffman Road, Suite 207. I managed to arrive 15 minutes before the 10am start even without the ritualistic cup of joe. I wanted to go to class free of any chemical imbalances that might distract my train of thought.

Inside the two-story building I found the room and waited in the hall for everyone to show up. I wasn’t really enjoying the hospital like atmosphere of the hallway when some people arrived and we were able to go into the office to sign in. After paying my $8 fee I went into the actual studio to grab a mat and a spot to stretch. I really liked what they did with the place. The room was naturally lit from one wall that looked west, towards the southern tip of the Alaska Range. The pastel blue had darkened a bit, but still retained the chill of a winter morning. The room was sparsely decorated with some little statues in the corner and a mattress looking thing up front with a CD player nearby.

I one’s and two’s, people shuffled in until the place was filled to sitting capacity of about 25. I had been wondering what the average demographic would be for a class like this. I saw mostly women in the 40-50 year old range with a total of three men, with me being the youngest in the class.

A little before 10, the instructor came into the room. His name is Nirvair Singh. He definitely would stand out in a crowd with his long whit beard, white turban and white ‘pantsuit’. He sat in front of the class on his large mat that put him about 6-8 inches above the rest of the class. Then he started talking and everyone listened.

He started by thanking everyone for the opportunity to teach us. He said he is not the only teacher in the room. Even if this were our first class, we would be released into the world in one hour with the tools to become teachers to anyone who wanted to know about yoga. He emphasized that the first seed of curiosity is the most important to nourish in people who are stepping on the path of understanding their own self. We are all teachers whether we know it or not, he says. In our day to day interactions with each other we are saying and doing things that have the potential to become answers to questions that might not have even been asked yet. He was describing communication of love. Love, he says, has the most potential for creating change in the heart of the listener. He explained that the listener does not have to know on the rational level that their heart is listening for the desired effect to take place.

He started the session with the Beginning Mantra:

ONG NAMO GURU DEV NAMO

“I call on the infinite creative consciousness, I call on the divine wisdom within myself.”

Today’s class was going to focus on spinal alignment exercises. There is a very specific order in which the exercises should take place. The principal behind the spinal alignment is that the energy of the universe travels up through your spine and out the top of your head. The spine has 7 different CHAKRAS from the base, root chakra, to the top of your head, crown chakra. Each chakra is correlated to alevel of consciousness. The flow of energy cannot always access the charkas and that is the reason for Kundalini Yoga. The exercises ‘loosen up’ the spine in the physical sense but the effect can be felt in all aspects of your life.

The first exercise consisted of warming up the root chakra. These muscles are the same ones you would use to hold a full bladder. We than sat on out knees with hands on thighs and rocked hips in synch with tightening up the stomach and root muscle while flexing the lower back.

Next, we sat in the lotus (cross-legged) while rocking the hips and tightening the same muscles as before. This position allowed the back to flex higher up on the spine.

We then sat in the lotus with our hands locked in the position where they are pulling apart right in front of our chest. While tightening the same muscles we moved our arms in a twisting motion, right elbow up, left elbow up, right elbow up etc. in synch with our breathing.

After this exercise we sat with legs stretched out to get some blood flowing for a moment. Nirvair spoke about the importance of posture.

The next exercise was the 360 degree neck roll. Just long, smooth rolls all the way around one way for one minute then back the other direction for one minute. It felt good.

For the last exercise, we sat on out knees with hands held above head, strait up, We did the hip rock from as done before but now focused on the thrusting motion made by the whole body in synch with saying SAT, NAM on the in and out respectively. We did this for 3 minutes then finished with 5 of minutes of laying on our backs listening to some eastern music. The overall effect of the exercises done in this order was very pleasant indeed. It was nice the way that each exercise complemented the next and they all culminated in this fully active engagement of the whole body. That last one with the SAT NAM really got the blood pumping.

[carpathian]

Dec 13, 2003
I know what I want to say. I have been led to this point by my thoughts and actions. I have been on this path with no foreseeable end, but infinitely studded with successive goals—or realizations of thought. My thoughts are realized moment to moment. Not one second without a divine response. By these responses, I have been led to think newer and bolder ideas. Ideas that I once thought impossible now wait on deck to be manifested.

The struggle has come from the choice involved with these thoughts. If I can think anything and achieve anything--- what should I focus my energy on? I can trace the evolution of my thoughts from the extreme of dualistic atheism to the opposite extreme of divine unity. Picking apart the nature of that unity has proved to be a huge undertaking. My thoughts have evolved at differing rates, from exponential expansion – nearly not able to keep up – to a more fine tuned growth. A directed, controlled growth.

My mind expanded from the confines of time and space to the bounds of the universe. It seems easy in retrospect. When I gave up control, I was mounted on a roller coaster of emotions and exploration. I feel like I have taken the universal tour and now I sit, ready to make a new choice. A decision as to what I would like to do with my ideas.

I have been in a state of active hibernation. A metamorphosis. What have I evolved into? Is a definition necessary? The mechanism is present nonetheless. I have been persistent in my efforts. What do I want to be? I am what I want to be right now! I open myself to divine inspiration and infinite energy to improve my existence to one of lavish abundance in all aspects of my life so that I may teach, by example, those who witness my life. Love myself and everyone who is part of this infinitely expressive universe.

[carpathian]

Evolution of thought. I am sustained by the universe by sustaining those around me with words of love.


Time/ space inverse gravity  opposite but equal

Time/ space equal conscious

LIGHT = Conscious equal gravity

Conscious runs on electromagnetic impulse


My gravity! The end result is an increase in gravity. By perceiving an infinite future I am creating infinite gravitational pull that radiates from my core.

Cause and effect? What is that? Where did it go?

I am reminded by everything.

Dec 26, 2003
World premier of ‘Scratch the Surface’ at the Sitzmark Bar and Grill in Girdwood, AK! Premiere night was crazy. Did 2 shows to about 150 in each show. Everyone partied like New Years Eve! Here is cover letter that went out to potential sponsors:


Dear Sir or Madam,
We would like to introduce you to a new company in the ski industry, Indestructible Productions. Based in Girdwood, Alaska, we are fast becoming known as the premiere ski film production company of the 49th state. The combination of supreme location and world-class athletes has allowed Indestructible Productions to film some of the best skiing in the world. Our primary objective is capturing the essence of the high country lifestyle. If the viewer gets stoked and wants to ski powder or epic lines after watching one of our films, our job is done.

In our second year of operation we will be introducing our movie, ‘Scratch the Surface.’ The goal of this film is to expose the viewer to a more accurate image of backcountry skiing in Alaska. The general theme is to show that despite all of the epic mountains and endless ski runs, we have barely scratched the surface of what is out there. Keep in mind that our entire operating budget has been completely out of pocket and this has been a labor of love. As a company and as skiers we are looking to progress to the future. We are currently in the process of completing an upgrade of all the equipment used in the production process. This includes everything from the cameras we film on to the computer and software that we used to edit the movie. Some of the benefits of this will be seen in our new film, ‘Scratch the Surface,’ but ultimately the full effect will not be felt until our 2004 release. We hope this investment will pay off with a better product for our viewers to enjoy.

Once again, we will be filming this winter in the state of Alaska. The vast majority of our footage will be shot in the 49th state. But with our growing dedication to making quality ski movies, we will be heading to Canada, as well as areas in the western U.S. to film the most progressive skiing that we can find. Depending on our filming budget, we are not ruling out possible trips to foreign locations for the upcoming winter. We hope that this footage will give our next film a more diverse feeling.

With this promotional package we are hoping to establish business relations with your company for the upcoming season of 2003-2004.

Included in this package is a DVD trailer of last years movie,’2Cents an Acre,’ and a preview of this year’s movie, ‘Scratch the Surface.’ We enjoyed moderate success presenting our movie last season, and would like to build on that this year.

Thank you for your time and consideration, Jake Young,
jake@indestructibleproductions.com

(insert 2010: delicious irony)

[Alyeska_Skibum]

Feb 12, 2003
Played first game of S-K-I. It is like HORSE in basketball. Whoever is leading that run chooses exactly where to go and the others have to follow exactly or they get a letter. Crazy.
---Jesus, I remember doing this with you guys. You guys pretty much scarred the shit out of me on some of those lines.
Dont forget the time I was on shrooms. That was the only day I was ever able to ski faster than you and Abe

[carpathian]

Faster then me and Abe?! That's unpossible! Oh wait, on shrooms it could've happened I remember actually...

I got drunker then ever before on New Years eve. Yeah Photonz!

S-K-I is badass. We should play again sometime. Start a league or something?

[Alyeska_Skibum]

Yeah..start a league. Im pretty sure I wouldnt even make the Minors right now

[carpathian]

It looks like the snowpack is going to heal itself perfectly! After a week of torrential rains, it snowed 16 inches last night and is now cooled off and clearing.

[Chugachjed]

Damn it and no babysitter. I knew this was going to happen.

[carpathian]

Dude, tell me about it. At least in Anchorage the avy bombs don't rock the house all morning, rubbing it in your face!

I kept sane by modeling a special place into clay. Do my part to make it happen...





Look familiar? It need some more work...

[carpathian]

A good day to get back in the mountains and see what is going on with the snow.

The Trinity: The Viking, Sean and The Silver Fox



Sean thinking: Lots of new warm snow on old hoar frost etc.



presently wind loading



Wind scoured ridge



Not so bad up here, pushing for the top.



The Viking's dog is like "hey, look over there!"



Those look nice



Where did all these people come from? For no one being at work, they all sure look busy!



Hey, I'm going to think about ski cuttin----!?



Whoa, look at that debris. What debris?



Oh, that debris



Looking ugly..



Sean says, "Stay in school kids."



Good thing no one was down there.



Lets get out of here!





So much for a healed snow pack.

[carpathian]

I'm not the only one moving snow these days...







Be safe out there Maggots.

[Chugachjed]

This winter blows. I would be totally out of my mind right now if it weren't for yoga. Maybe February will bring the snow. Thinking about dusting off the DH bike and going for a snowy push.

[Z]

Where you at Jed? Hows the snowpack doing near Haines?

[carpathian]

I took advantage of the sketchy snowpack to work on getting the old ski shop up and running. There she is. Don't judge a book by it's cover!



She heats up real quick,



Nice lighting with a radio playing in the loft



And introducing... Carbon Fiber!



I gotta start putting effort in to selling some of these skis. I always end up 'skiing' and that is fun and all. Gonna make some demo pairs for World Cup and Alyeska. Stay tuned...

I am inspired by frozen desolation,



and grey light, where the alpine and ocean meet.



The Sun has shifted slightly in the last month and it's tangent of light skims off of Carpathian Peak at sunrise.

[Mathematics]

dude nice work on the photos the scenics are getting better & better, what are you shooting with? would love to check out those skis...either anc or gwood. and nice work on the putty model.

[Chugachjed]

Damn. If I had known you had skis going I'd have held off. Rockered one of my 192 bros and blew the edge out of the other on Sunday. Would love to demo a pair. 325bsl

[carpathian]

Thanks, Math! I've been using this Canon XTi. I am lazy and generally use sport mode and then adjust in iPhoto. Trying to force myself to use the manual focus. Auto is so amateur! Photos are easier medium to work with when telling stories on a day to day basis.

As far as skis go I am making the switch to full time carbon fiber. That stuff is like black gold. Can't channel and focus the energy of the MIGHTY CHUGACH into a ski with inferior materials, now can I?

Jed, I like to build skis on the beefy side anyway. I have a couple of pairs kicking around if you wanna go for a spin... Working on official demos this month.

[Mathematics]

my gf shoots on a xti...solid camera

what do you guys think of an AK (locals only) mini ? I'll bring the beer.

[Chugachjed]

What's a mini? Beer is involved so I'm in.

[carpathian]

We could ski then drink beer. Or ski AND drink beer.

Speaking of which, Town League Race Series starts tonight. I'll be there working on the course crew, watching people drink and ski as fast as they can!

Yesterday Vesna skied here, on south side of Magnum.



I was on the far ridge by the sun trying to get the long cross valley shot but my camera was out of batteries. Good snow, lots of tracks, lots of slide activity.

[carpathian]

The next day Vesna and Brian went up to where Sean and I had been the day before, on Corn Biscuit.



Slabby snow everywhere now after new wind.



How's it look on the north side there?



Sweet turns to hanging slabalanche, anyone?



Brian wants to ride in the sun and run next to our tracks from the day before. Seems prudent enough.



Vesna gives the thumbs up



He dropped in right next to our tracks and then right over the roll the whole thing busted out and he got tumbled and had to swim out and the pulled out to the side



Maybe the lake skating will be good?

[carpathian]

I took the family out to Portage to do some ice skating in the late afternoon.



Later, I went back out with Thom and Aaron to see how far we could go by light of the moon.



It was pretty fun cruising through the forests. Really reminded me of powder skiing. So smooth and fast...



We went about 5 miles in before getting stopped up in the alders.



Hey, there's carpathian Peak again!


Technical stream crossing, with 20 Mile in background

[Chugachjed]

Sweet I was wondering how much snow was on the ice.