Skiing the Eiger. Check this out. Not really skiing, but definitely a thrill.

Until the last storm cycle, which ended on Friday, December 13, base conditions were marginal here. Most of the backcountry bowls were in, but the access and exits were often difficult. Grand Targhee was open, but wasn't worth a trip unless you were an Eastern skier by heart and had some serious rock skis. But the last storm brought 3 feet of snow. Heavy, dense, wet snow that coated the mountain sides like glue. Bad for skiing but great for base.

Last winter, I stumbled into a disaster scene in the backcountry. When I arrived, several skiers were gathered around a skier laying next to the trail. The only info we could get from the downed skier was: his name was Benny, he wasn't cold, and he couldn't walk. We were only 10 minutes from the trailhead, but it took 2 long, cold, miserable hours to get him out. Without a sled, we had to carry him.

The WYDOT Teton Pass cam sure has changed things. With the Teton Pass Cam, you can be sitting at home in Jackson, Wy, or Miami, Fl, and see exactly what is happening with the weather.

Who owns the backcountry? Sometimes I wonder when I get a heavy dose of attitude from skiers I meet in the backcountry.

Lesson Learned: Go and see for yourself. The snow is often better than you expect.