Powder Panic

January in Utah was a little slow. Not many storms came through and the couple that did brought some warm temps and rain (something us skiers absolutely love in the middle of winter...). February has been more promising thus far. The nice rain-crust layer seems to be sinking beneath our feet and replaced by it's softer, gentler and more welcomed brother, powder.

So here's to powder's return. Thanks for coming back and please kick up your feet, have some nachos and stay awhile.

NVC 10.7

Mecca x Utah x Wasatch Front

NVC 10.6

Salt Lake City - Denver

NVC 10.5

Salt Lake City to Lake Tahoe - Fool's Gold

Summit Project

The Wasatch Mountain Podcast has been around for a few seasons now and I couldn't be more pumped to see how it's emerged over those years. Long time friend, Parker Cross, has been working chipping away at this project on his own time and dime and working hard to get it on it's feet. I've been in a few of his episodes in the past and he's been a big help for me and Nimbus by filming me and contributing footage, but this year I'm looking to become a bit more involved in his series. On that note, Parker just released the opener for this seasons project, The Wasatch Summit Project. The goal this year is to summit the 22 peaks in the Wasatch over 11,000'. Superior, Monte Cristo, Box Elder, Timpanogos to name a few.
We've been out a decent amount this year, touring, hiking, exploring and the like. It's not that far into the season and I've already done more touring than I think I've ever done in the past, with plenty more ahead. It's super rad to hike around in any mountains, but fortunately I'm in the Wasatch and this place has so much to offer. It's been amazing to do the little exploring that we have and be able to find terrain I never knew was there.
I was unable to join Parker and crew on a couple of their bigger missions this year, but planning on making it happen with some future summits. So for now, here's the first episode introducing this years project. Hope you enjoy.



http://www.crossroadstudios.com/

And here's a little bonus panoramic photo from our last tour in the Southern Wasatch.

Próspero Año y Felicidad

Another Nimbus Point & Shoot. This one from my backyard resort with mi dos hombres. Can't complain about that.

New Years Eve, Sundance from NIMBUS INDEPENDENT on Vimeo.

Blake Nyman enjoys the last day of 2010 at his childhood resort, Sundance, with his brothers in tow. Super good way to end the year!

Point & Shoot

Sitting down finishing another edit for Nimbus. Realized that I have yet to post any of my past few Point & Shoots on here. So, if you haven't already seen them, take a look. Hope you enjoy.

This was my first day out for the 2010/2011 season. Good times with the Surface fam in the sidecountry of Alta.

First Day Fivers from NIMBUS INDEPENDENT on Vimeo.

Blake Nyman makes his first runs of the 2010/2011 season.

Not much to do with snow shredding, but made a P&S out of it anyway.

P&S-Runnin'andRappin from NIMBUS INDEPENDENT on Vimeo.

My buddy Bryan and I were bored one Sunday and took a walk up nearby Dry Fork canyon in Utah to do some rappeling. We weren't too sure how big the rappel was and both of us were pretty rusty. Sketchy knots, forgotten gloves, minimal/borrowed equipment. We soon measured it to be about 230' and went for it anyway. Good practice for some upcoming ski mountaineering...

Another non-snow P&S, but got some surf time in, so maybe it relates...

East Onions from NIMBUS INDEPENDENT on Vimeo.

Blake Nyman gets some last minute East Coast surf time and a small taste of New York's Village Halloween parade before the ski season gets started.

November was a good month in Utah. Here's a few days proof.

November Meow Mix from NIMBUS INDEPENDENT on Vimeo.

Blake Nyman gets some early season November shredding in on Alta's Wildcat lift. Pep Fujas, Wiley Miller & Hayden Price join in for some hot laps too!

Curtain Call

To whom it may concern,

Any winter enthusiast in the Western portion of the United States and Canada is going to remember November 2010. I've never been a part of this many consistent and fun powder days, this early in the year. Thanks for an amazing early season Ms. La Ninã. Please stay as long as you'd like, you're welcome here whenever and however long you want.

Thank you.
Sincerely,

Blake

Seasons

It's been a tough couple of months, trying to keep the reins on that feeling that you know will eventually break through. It's inevitable. It has to come out. Premiers, new ski movies, the seasonal circulation of the magazines starting again, news of first snow, news of the first resorts opening, etc. None of those help. It starts small, but builds steadily, then it hits a tipping point and you know you can't resist the temptation anymore. It's a hard battle trying to resit the urge to ski. Those first runs are never glorious ones. They always seem to be on a mountain with more dirt exposed than snow and what is there can hardly be classified as that. And if you are lucky enough to get more than a few inches on the ground, don't even think about skiing it. You know it will result in your brand new pair of skis getting a nice new scar (your parents told you so). But if that is the case, you don't care. That day, no matter how terrible the conditions, it marks the first day of the season for you. It's the official start of what you've been waiting for for the past seven months. It's finally winter. It's finally time to ski.

I've yet to have that first day this year. I'm still fighting the urge. First day edits are already showing up, stories of first chair are already circulating. And I'm envying every image I see and every word I read. Hopefully my turn comes soon.

I'm off to New York tonight. Feels counter intuitive with all the snow that the Rockies and many other regions are getting, but alas, I will survive. New York holds it's own allure with exorbitant culture, great family, great friends, great sights and even a bit of East Coast surfing. Hopefully that will help appease my need to slide down mountains covered in frozen water. But don't wait for me, go and get yours and don't be afraid to tell me all about it. I can't wait.

Until then...

B.

Look

Here's a variety of videos I've come across over the past couple weeks that have struck me in different ways. Some scary, some amazing, some beautiful or a combination of the like. A few of them have been popping up all over the place, but here they are if you haven't seen them already.