The Magnificent Blunder

Karen and I headed up West Mail Creek yesterday on Teton Pass. Through a slight misstep we got ourselves turned around. Long story short, we found an awesome stash of fresh powder (still in great condition even though it hasn't snowed much in three weeks) and we ended up in the entirely wrong drainage ... which turned a 40 minute ski out into a three hour adventure through a somewhat precarious gully that we later learned was Burbank Creek. As we were skiing the fresh powder, we kept commenting on how cool it was that we were laying fresh tracks, and nobody else had skied the slope ... maybe there was a reason why ; ) Regardless, we had such a great day that we named our new found run "The Magnificent Blunder."

I'm not sure who likes the powder more - Zippy or me?

Karen pulls off her skins as we prepare for the descent

Skinning up the trail in the morning. Karen and Zippy check in with each other.

Me with a great view in the background.

Thrilled to be out.

Zippy holds sentry over the Teton mountains.

Mossy log in the middle of snowy forest.

Zippy and I joyfully descend. This is one of my favorite photos from the day.

Karen carves turns through powdery glades.

Karen and Zippy both agree its a good day to be out.

Karen lays tele tracks into the snow.

Oops ... a little tumble in a gully.

I'm all smiles.

"So umm ... Karen, where are we?" A 40 minute ski out turned into a three hour gully trek, after we found ourselves a bit turned around.

Karen makes a beautiful snow bridge crossing. I'm up next.

And another snow bridge crossing ...

Due to our "Magnificent Blunder," as Karen and I named our new found ski run, we ended up five miles further down the pass than we intended. After hiking along the road - the most dangerous and muddy part of the day - we hitched a ride in the back of a pickup truck. Zippy used our skis as a pillow during the drive back to my car.