2022 Year in review

Not much more to say than another great year playing in the mountains! Winter was a hoot and a half, despite the historic dry spell from January through May in the Sierra. Luckily, December dropped 18 feet of snow so the skiing stayed at least decent through the end of the winter.

After ski season wrapped up, I moved back into the car and bummed around the lake doing side hustles here and there for some extra cash. In June I went east to spend some time with my family before heading to Montana to start the Continental Divide Trail southbound with Shannon.

The CDT was a good time, but of all the hikes I’ve done it was far from my favorite. For starters, the whole time I dealt with poor weather, infrequent dramatic views and a lack of the feeling of adventure. Not to mention, unexpectedly having to book it to the border to then get to Salt Lake City the day after finishing for National Avalanche School had me yearning for the end. No doubt, I still had a blast, but I don’t see myself doing that one again any time soon.

Once I got back to Tahoe ski season started almost immediately, although I had to sit out the first week or two since I was still nursing CDT injuries, namely shin splints. Luckily since I’ve gotten back on skis the snow has not stopped falling, most everywhere has nearly 100 inches on the ground!

We’re living in Truckee this winter, which is quite a change from the North Shore. It’s a town of 17,000 on the Interstate, I can’t see the lake and the commute is a drag. There’s still plenty of high quality mountains around, but it’s just not the same. Oh well, just one winter and back to the lake!

As usual, I did a pretty subpar job of documenting the year, so there are a few holes here and there. Oh well, maybe next year I’ll be more highly motivated? It is shaping up to be an eventful one… Regardless, enjoy!

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Ruthless distracted me with a dice game while working my side hustle driving a van around Olympic Valley. | 1/11/22 Olympic Valley, CA

Ruthless distracted me with a dice game while working my side hustle driving a van around Olympic Valley. | 1/11/22 Olympic Valley, CA

Matt tearing it up on the chalk. | 1/27/22 Mt. Rose, NV

Matt tearing it up on the chalk. | 1/27/22 Mt. Rose, NV

Fresh rime after a much needed storm. | 2/23/22 Mt. Rose, NV

Fresh rime after a much needed storm. | 2/23/22 Mt. Rose, NV

Beau and Cameron practice with the RECCO, a device used to locate victims buried in avalanche debris. | 3/3/22 Mt. Rose, NV

Beau and Cameron practice with the RECCO, a device used to locate victims buried in avalanche debris. | 3/3/22 Mt. Rose, NV

Shannon heads out from the halfway station at the Great Ski Race, a 26 km course to benefit the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team. Despite skiing an extra 5 km from our house to the gate, starting 45 minutes late, and taking a healthy break at the

Shannon heads out from the halfway station at the Great Ski Race, a 26 km course to benefit the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team. Despite skiing an extra 5 km from our house to the gate, starting 45 minutes late, and taking a healthy break at the soup station she still managed to not come in last. | 3/6/22 Tahoe City, CA

Ruthless and Shannon take a sit at Silver Hut, part of the Tahoe Cross Country trail system. | 3/8/22 Tahoe City, CA

Ruthless and Shannon take a sit at Silver Hut, part of the Tahoe Cross Country trail system. | 3/8/22 Tahoe City, CA

In the nordic skiing world, downhills are terrifying and everything hurts, all the time. These hippie purists are a different breed, yet at the end of the day I was still smiling just as much as after a day of gravity assisted skiing. | 3/8/22 Tahoe

In the nordic skiing world, downhills are terrifying and everything hurts, all the time. These hippie purists are a different breed, yet at the end of the day I was still smiling just as much as after a day of gravity assisted skiing. | 3/8/22 Tahoe City, CA

At the end of the season we were sent on the Mt. Rose Rookie Scavenger Hunt, 17 secret and interestingly named locations in back corners of the mountain. We were meant to prove our success with a simple selfie, but Devin and I took things to another

At the end of the season we were sent on the Mt. Rose Rookie Scavenger Hunt, 17 secret and interestingly named locations in back corners of the mountain. We were meant to prove our success with a simple selfie, but Devin and I took things to another level. The full set of images can be found here. | 3/9/22 Mt. Rose, NV

"Find a Bearing Tree." | 3/16/22 Mt. Rose, NV

"Find a Bearing Tree." | 3/16/22 Mt. Rose, NV

Jennie bootpacks along the Sierra Crest on the way to ski Twin Peaks. | 3/21/22 Twin Peaks, CA

Jennie bootpacks along the Sierra Crest on the way to ski Twin Peaks. | 3/21/22 Twin Peaks, CA

Jennie at the base of Twin Peaks, still riding the high from killer turns off the 8,880' summit. | 3/21/22 Twin Peaks, CA

Jennie at the base of Twin Peaks, still riding the high from killer turns off the 8,880' summit. | 3/21/22 Twin Peaks, CA

Mo peers out from a snow cave, soon to be rescued by Carmen, a Mt. Rose Avalanche dog as part of a training scenario. | 3/23/22 Mt. Rose, NV

Mo peers out from a snow cave, soon to be rescued by Carmen, a Mt. Rose Avalanche dog as part of a training scenario. | 3/23/22 Mt. Rose, NV

Penny the pig, a rescue that now lives with the Common family in their Kings Beach home. | 3/25/22 Kings Beach, CA

Penny the pig, a rescue that now lives with the Common family in their Kings Beach home. | 3/25/22 Kings Beach, CA

Best friends Squiller and Shannon enjoy some morning rays before the jams start at Winter Wondergrass. | 4/2/22 Olympic Valley, CA

Best friends Squiller and Shannon enjoy some morning rays before the jams start at Winter Wondergrass. | 4/2/22 Olympic Valley, CA

Ryan grills up some dogs after a fantastic day of spring corn skiing. | 4/3/22 Olympic Valley, CA

Ryan grills up some dogs after a fantastic day of spring corn skiing. | 4/3/22 Olympic Valley, CA

Tish and Kevin skin along the ridge of Black Mountain on a ski tour in the Eastern Sierra. | 4/24/22 Black Mountain, CA

Tish and Kevin skin along the ridge of Black Mountain on a ski tour in the Eastern Sierra. | 4/24/22 Black Mountain, CA

Noisy passes a ranger station corral in the Belly River Valley. | Glacier National Park, MT 6/22/22 CDT Day 1

Noisy passes a ranger station corral in the Belly River Valley. | Glacier National Park, MT 6/22/22 CDT Day 1

Noisy crosses the Belly River suspension bridge. | Glacier National Park, MT 6/22/22 CDT Day 1

Noisy crosses the Belly River suspension bridge. | Glacier National Park, MT 6/22/22 CDT Day 1

Noisy crosses a snowy slope, an obstacle common in the park after the unusually snowy winter season. | Glacier National Park, MT 6/23/22 CDT Day 2

Noisy crosses a snowy slope, an obstacle common in the park after the unusually snowy winter season. | Glacier National Park, MT 6/23/22 CDT Day 2

Mango expertly fords Cataract Creek. | Glacier National Park, MT 6/24/22 CDT Day 3

Mango expertly fords Cataract Creek. | Glacier National Park, MT 6/24/22 CDT Day 3

Noisy and Dig scramble through the jungle gym of blowdowns that plague The Bob. | Bob Marshall Wilderness, MT 6/30/22 CDT Day 9

Noisy and Dig scramble through the jungle gym of blowdowns that plague The Bob. | Bob Marshall Wilderness, MT 6/30/22 CDT Day 9

Dig stops for a sit in one of the few pools of light that broke through the dense forest. | Bob Marshall Wilderness, MT 6/30/22 CDT Day 9

Dig stops for a sit in one of the few pools of light that broke through the dense forest. | Bob Marshall Wilderness, MT 6/30/22 CDT Day 9

Noisy poses while visiting my tent during a break in the storm. | Scapegoat Wilderness, MT 7/8/22 CDT Day 17

Noisy poses while visiting my tent during a break in the storm. | Scapegoat Wilderness, MT 7/8/22 CDT Day 17

Noisy and Dig enjoy sunset from the comfort of our new home in the Whitehall town garage, graciously provided by Mayor Mary. | Whitehall, MT 7/19/22 CDT Day 28

Noisy and Dig enjoy sunset from the comfort of our new home in the Whitehall town garage, graciously provided by Mayor Mary. | Whitehall, MT 7/19/22 CDT Day 28

Noisy peers out from the top of Beehive Pass. | Spanish Peaks, MT 7/24/22 CDT Day 33

Noisy peers out from the top of Beehive Pass. | Spanish Peaks, MT 7/24/22 CDT Day 33

It seems I need my gallbladder removed! My first ever ambulance ride took us from Yellowstone to the Livingston, MT Hospital, where I was then discharged at 2:00am after they determined I had no life-threatening ailments. Since we had no car, much l

It seems I need my gallbladder removed! My first ever ambulance ride took us from Yellowstone to the Livingston, MT Hospital, where I was then discharged at 2:00am after they determined I had no life-threatening ailments. Since we had no car, much less anywhere to go, the ER staff kindly allowed Noisy to sleep on the floor of my now very smelly room. | Livingston, MT 7/31/22 CDT Day 39

Noisy relentlessly tries to hook a branch for her bear hang. | Teton National Park, WY 8/4/22 CDT Day 44

Noisy relentlessly tries to hook a branch for her bear hang. | Teton National Park, WY 8/4/22 CDT Day 44

Mt. Woodring as seen from the Paintbrush Divide. | 8/7/22 Grand Teton National Park, WY CDT Day 47

Mt. Woodring as seen from the Paintbrush Divide. | 8/7/22 Grand Teton National Park, WY CDT Day 47

Noisy and Dale make their way up Downs Mountain, the northernmost 13'er in the Winds and the highest point on the Wind River High Route. | Wind River High Route, WY 8/12/22 CDT Day 52

Noisy and Dale make their way up Downs Mountain, the northernmost 13'er in the Winds and the highest point on the Wind River High Route. | Wind River High Route, WY 8/12/22 CDT Day 52

Dale whips up some cold coffee during an alpine start. We had to get most of our distance done before 12:00 since the afternoon thunderstorms were sketchy at best, and just made for a miserable time. | Wind River High Route, WY 8/13/22 CDT Day 53

Dale whips up some cold coffee during an alpine start. We had to get most of our distance done before 12:00 since the afternoon thunderstorms were sketchy at best, and just made for a miserable time. | Wind River High Route, WY 8/13/22 CDT Day 53

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Noisy ascends Douglas Peak Pass as a storm rolls in, with Alpine Lakes Pass in the far background. | Wind River High Route, WY 8/14/22 CDT Day 54

Noisy ascends Douglas Peak Pass as a storm rolls in, with Alpine Lakes Pass in the far background. | Wind River High Route, WY 8/14/22 CDT Day 54

SquarePants and Noisy boil vegetables and drink Sloshies, an alcohlic Wyoming delicacy on the grocery store curb. | Lander, WY 8/18/22 CDT Day 58

SquarePants and Noisy boil vegetables and drink Sloshies, an alcohlic Wyoming delicacy on the grocery store curb. | Lander, WY 8/18/22 CDT Day 58

The Great Divide Basin: flat, sagebrush, and antelope. That's pretty much it for 130 miles. It's lovely from about 6:00-6:45 in the morning before becoming hot, dry and boring until sunset. Then it's just dry and boring. | Great Divide Basin, WY 8/2

The Great Divide Basin: flat, sagebrush, and antelope. That's pretty much it for 130 miles. It's lovely from about 6:00-6:45 in the morning before becoming hot, dry and boring until sunset. Then it's just dry and boring. | Great Divide Basin, WY 8/22/22 CDT Day 62

Noisy filters water in a stand of snags from the 2016 Sheep Fire. | Arapaho National Forest, CO 8/28/22 CDT Day 68

Noisy filters water in a stand of snags from the 2016 Sheep Fire. | Arapaho National Forest, CO 8/28/22 CDT Day 68

Noisy on the Divide with Grays and Torreys peaks in the background. | Arapaho National Forest 9/2/22 CDT Day 73

Noisy on the Divide with Grays and Torreys peaks in the background. | Arapaho National Forest 9/2/22 CDT Day 73

Noisy and I had been dealing with low crew morale, but a few days spent with my dear friend Lebowski fixed that right up! | Gunnison, CO 9/9/22 CDT Day 80

Noisy and I had been dealing with low crew morale, but a few days spent with my dear friend Lebowski fixed that right up! | Gunnison, CO 9/9/22 CDT Day 80

Some Texans in a pickup offered to take us into Lake City, CO, but said we would have to squeeze around their over-engineered sign. | Lake City, CO 9/16/22 CDT Day 87

Some Texans in a pickup offered to take us into Lake City, CO, but said we would have to squeeze around their over-engineered sign. | Lake City, CO 9/16/22 CDT Day 87

After being above treeline for what felt like most of the hike, it was a delight to be among the golden Quaking Aspens. | Carson National Forest, NM 9/27/22 CDT Day 98

After being above treeline for what felt like most of the hike, it was a delight to be among the golden Quaking Aspens. | Carson National Forest, NM 9/27/22 CDT Day 98

At long last, reunited with Noisy in a Chinese buffet after being apart for two weeks. | Grants, NM 10/5/22 CDT Day 106

At long last, reunited with Noisy in a Chinese buffet after being apart for two weeks. | Grants, NM 10/5/22 CDT Day 106

Noisy crosses the Gila River as it flows at 600% of average. Over the next 80 miles, we would need to cross in the ballpark of 200 more times. Sadly, a mile from here a major tributary joined the Gila, and the water was just too high and fast to con

Noisy crosses the Gila River as it flows at 600% of average. Over the next 80 miles, we would need to cross in the ballpark of 200 more times. Sadly, a mile from here a major tributary joined the Gila, and the water was just too high and fast to continue. | Gila National Forest, NM 10/11/22 CDT Day 112

For the second year in a row, I destroyed my prized hiking shirt. | Big Hatchet Mountains, NM 10/19/22 CDT Day 120

For the second year in a row, I destroyed my prized hiking shirt. | Big Hatchet Mountains, NM 10/19/22 CDT Day 120

We LOVE the monument. | US/Mexico Border 10/20/22 CDT Day 121

We LOVE the monument. | US/Mexico Border 10/20/22 CDT Day 121

Lauren transitions on my first ski tour of the season. | 12/8/22 Incline Peak, NV

Lauren transitions on my first ski tour of the season. | 12/8/22 Incline Peak, NV

Squiller and Shannon on their way up the ladder to our loft. | 12/19/22 Truckee, CA

Squiller and Shannon on their way up the ladder to our loft. | 12/19/22 Truckee, CA