Happy Birthday Chris McCandless! He would be 56 years old. 1st photo: Chris cut his hair and shaved off his beard on July 3, 1992 in anticipation of his return to civilization. 2nd photo: The “to do” list he wrote on a strip of birch bark before leaving the bus. 3rd photo: Journal he wrote in the back of his book about edible plants. 4th photo: Grizzly bear skull he inscribed while living in the bus. 5th photo: Postcard he sent before heading into the wild. 6th photo: The bus flying out of the wild in June 2020. [Photos 1, 2, and 3 courtesy @carinemccandless. Photos 4 and 5 by me. Photo 6 courtesy Alaska National Guard.] The bus has been restored to the way it was in 1992 and will be exhibited at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Many of Chris’s possessions will also be exhibited. A fascinating article by Eva Holland—and a similarly fascinating podcast that includes commentary by Chris’ sister Carine—recount the long, strange saga of Bus 142 and explain how it ended up where Chris encountered it. Hit link in my profile to read and listen.
Happy Birthday Chris McCandless! He would be 56 years old. 1st photo: Chris cut his hair and shaved off his beard on July 3, 1992 in anticipation of his return to civilization. 2nd photo: The “to do” list he wrote on a strip of birch bark before leaving the bus. 3rd photo: Journal he wrote in the back of his book about edible plants. 4th photo: Grizzly bear skull he inscribed while living in the bus. 5th photo: Postcard he sent before heading into the wild. 6th photo: The bus flying out of the wild in June 2020. [Photos 1, 2, and 3 courtesy @carinemccandless. Photos 4 and 5 by me. Photo 6 courtesy Alaska National Guard.] The bus has been restored to the way it was in 1992 and will be exhibited at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Many of Chris’s possessions will also be exhibited. A fascinating article by Eva Holland—and a similarly fascinating podcast that includes commentary by Chris’ sister Carine—recount the long, strange saga of Bus 142 and explain how it ended up where Chris encountered it. Hit link in my profile to read and listen.
Happy Birthday Chris McCandless! He would be 56 years old. 1st photo: Chris cut his hair and shaved off his beard on July 3, 1992 in anticipation of his return to civilization. 2nd photo: The “to do” list he wrote on a strip of birch bark before leaving the bus. 3rd photo: Journal he wrote in the back of his book about edible plants. 4th photo: Grizzly bear skull he inscribed while living in the bus. 5th photo: Postcard he sent before heading into the wild. 6th photo: The bus flying out of the wild in June 2020. [Photos 1, 2, and 3 courtesy @carinemccandless. Photos 4 and 5 by me. Photo 6 courtesy Alaska National Guard.] The bus has been restored to the way it was in 1992 and will be exhibited at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Many of Chris’s possessions will also be exhibited. A fascinating article by Eva Holland—and a similarly fascinating podcast that includes commentary by Chris’ sister Carine—recount the long, strange saga of Bus 142 and explain how it ended up where Chris encountered it. Hit link in my profile to read and listen.
Happy Birthday Chris McCandless! He would be 56 years old. 1st photo: Chris cut his hair and shaved off his beard on July 3, 1992 in anticipation of his return to civilization. 2nd photo: The “to do” list he wrote on a strip of birch bark before leaving the bus. 3rd photo: Journal he wrote in the back of his book about edible plants. 4th photo: Grizzly bear skull he inscribed while living in the bus. 5th photo: Postcard he sent before heading into the wild. 6th photo: The bus flying out of the wild in June 2020. [Photos 1, 2, and 3 courtesy @carinemccandless. Photos 4 and 5 by me. Photo 6 courtesy Alaska National Guard.] The bus has been restored to the way it was in 1992 and will be exhibited at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Many of Chris’s possessions will also be exhibited. A fascinating article by Eva Holland—and a similarly fascinating podcast that includes commentary by Chris’ sister Carine—recount the long, strange saga of Bus 142 and explain how it ended up where Chris encountered it. Hit link in my profile to read and listen.
Happy Birthday Chris McCandless! He would be 56 years old. 1st photo: Chris cut his hair and shaved off his beard on July 3, 1992 in anticipation of his return to civilization. 2nd photo: The “to do” list he wrote on a strip of birch bark before leaving the bus. 3rd photo: Journal he wrote in the back of his book about edible plants. 4th photo: Grizzly bear skull he inscribed while living in the bus. 5th photo: Postcard he sent before heading into the wild. 6th photo: The bus flying out of the wild in June 2020. [Photos 1, 2, and 3 courtesy @carinemccandless. Photos 4 and 5 by me. Photo 6 courtesy Alaska National Guard.] The bus has been restored to the way it was in 1992 and will be exhibited at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Many of Chris’s possessions will also be exhibited. A fascinating article by Eva Holland—and a similarly fascinating podcast that includes commentary by Chris’ sister Carine—recount the long, strange saga of Bus 142 and explain how it ended up where Chris encountered it. Hit link in my profile to read and listen.
Happy Birthday Chris McCandless! He would be 56 years old. 1st photo: Chris cut his hair and shaved off his beard on July 3, 1992 in anticipation of his return to civilization. 2nd photo: The “to do” list he wrote on a strip of birch bark before leaving the bus. 3rd photo: Journal he wrote in the back of his book about edible plants. 4th photo: Grizzly bear skull he inscribed while living in the bus. 5th photo: Postcard he sent before heading into the wild. 6th photo: The bus flying out of the wild in June 2020. [Photos 1, 2, and 3 courtesy @carinemccandless. Photos 4 and 5 by me. Photo 6 courtesy Alaska National Guard.] The bus has been restored to the way it was in 1992 and will be exhibited at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Many of Chris’s possessions will also be exhibited. A fascinating article by Eva Holland—and a similarly fascinating podcast that includes commentary by Chris’ sister Carine—recount the long, strange saga of Bus 142 and explain how it ended up where Chris encountered it. Hit link in my profile to read and listen.
I celebrated my 70th birthday by rolling out of bed at 1:30 this morning, driving over the Divide to the Western Slope, skinning up to the summit of a lovely 14er, and then riding down a wide, steep couloir on a different side of the mountain that is among my favorite lines in the entire state. It was one of the best birthday parties ever.
I celebrated my 70th birthday by rolling out of bed at 1:30 this morning, driving over the Divide to the Western Slope, skinning up to the summit of a lovely 14er, and then riding down a wide, steep couloir on a different side of the mountain that is among my favorite lines in the entire state. It was one of the best birthday parties ever.
On my splitboard tour this morning I spent 6 hours wandering up and down the Divide. When I got home, everything I’d been so worried about seemed like no big deal. Three cheers for our public lands.
On my splitboard tour this morning I spent 6 hours wandering up and down the Divide. When I got home, everything I’d been so worried about seemed like no big deal. Three cheers for our public lands.
On my splitboard tour this morning I spent 6 hours wandering up and down the Divide. When I got home, everything I’d been so worried about seemed like no big deal. Three cheers for our public lands.
Gazing down the spine of the Indian Peaks Wilderness from 13k at sunrise this morning, I was reminded why September is my favorite month. It has a lot to do with the intoxicating light.
Gazing down the spine of the Indian Peaks Wilderness from 13k at sunrise this morning, I was reminded why September is my favorite month. It has a lot to do with the intoxicating light.
Breaking trail at sunrise on May 10, 1996, looking down from 27,600 feet on Everest at my guide, Mike Groom. 2nd photo: Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary after their first ascent of Everest on May 29, 1953 (Getty photo). Don’t forget that on October 26 the American Himalayan Foundation will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of their momentous climb at our Infamous Annual Dinner in San Francisco. Featured speakers include Norbu Tenzing (son of Tenzing), Peter Hillary (son of Sir Ed), Kami Rita Sherpa, (who’s climbed Everest 28 times), plus @Kristin.Harila, @Conrad_Anker, and other luminaries. I hope to see you there! (I’m the board chair of @HimalayanFdn) Hit link in my profile for info.
Breaking trail at sunrise on May 10, 1996, looking down from 27,600 feet on Everest at my guide, Mike Groom. 2nd photo: Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary after their first ascent of Everest on May 29, 1953 (Getty photo). Don’t forget that on October 26 the American Himalayan Foundation will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of their momentous climb at our Infamous Annual Dinner in San Francisco. Featured speakers include Norbu Tenzing (son of Tenzing), Peter Hillary (son of Sir Ed), Kami Rita Sherpa, (who’s climbed Everest 28 times), plus @Kristin.Harila, @Conrad_Anker, and other luminaries. I hope to see you there! (I’m the board chair of @HimalayanFdn) Hit link in my profile for info.
A few snaps from my splitboard tour this morning. Usually when I head into the mountains I wake several hours before dawn; today I rolled out of bed at 1:50 AM. There is a price to pay for this: I am not immune to the unpleasant effects of sleep deprivation. But the rewards are absolutely worth the cost. The primary reward for me is that it allows me to ascend high into the alpine zone to experience the sunrise, which brings me indescribable joy. And sometimes there are other gifts, too—like the abundance of untracked snow I encountered this morning.
A few snaps from my splitboard tour this morning. Usually when I head into the mountains I wake several hours before dawn; today I rolled out of bed at 1:50 AM. There is a price to pay for this: I am not immune to the unpleasant effects of sleep deprivation. But the rewards are absolutely worth the cost. The primary reward for me is that it allows me to ascend high into the alpine zone to experience the sunrise, which brings me indescribable joy. And sometimes there are other gifts, too—like the abundance of untracked snow I encountered this morning.
A few snaps from my splitboard tour this morning. Usually when I head into the mountains I wake several hours before dawn; today I rolled out of bed at 1:50 AM. There is a price to pay for this: I am not immune to the unpleasant effects of sleep deprivation. But the rewards are absolutely worth the cost. The primary reward for me is that it allows me to ascend high into the alpine zone to experience the sunrise, which brings me indescribable joy. And sometimes there are other gifts, too—like the abundance of untracked snow I encountered this morning.
Had a 7-hour group therapy session in the Indian Peaks Wilderness this morning. The group was small today: just @tinacurrin and me, but it definitely cured what was ailing me. 2nd photo by Tina. 1st and 3rd by me.
Had a 7-hour group therapy session in the Indian Peaks Wilderness this morning. The group was small today: just @tinacurrin and me, but it definitely cured what was ailing me. 2nd photo by Tina. 1st and 3rd by me.
Had a 7-hour group therapy session in the Indian Peaks Wilderness this morning. The group was small today: just @tinacurrin and me, but it definitely cured what was ailing me. 2nd photo by Tina. 1st and 3rd by me.
Kasha La Rigby at 17,000 feet on Denali. Yesterday I got a terrible message from @jacqui.edgerly informing me that our dear friend @kashalaclare perished in an avalanche at a small ski resort in Kosovo. The three of us shared a tent on Denali for a month in 2013—a special experience I will always cherish. Kasha was a brilliant big-mountain skier who inspired many younger female skiers to live out their dreams. Losing her is a cruel blow. Photo by @ktmillerphoto
Went for a splitboard tour on the Divide in sub-zero temps this morning with @bequitahall. High wind and two feet of new snow made the avalanche danger too extreme to ride any of our favorite lines, but we had the whole place to ourselves. It was a blast breaking trail and cruising back down gentle terrain in such deep powder.
Went for a splitboard tour on the Divide in sub-zero temps this morning with @bequitahall. High wind and two feet of new snow made the avalanche danger too extreme to ride any of our favorite lines, but we had the whole place to ourselves. It was a blast breaking trail and cruising back down gentle terrain in such deep powder.
