BigDogDave

Howdy Ya'll,,Great COW roundup. Big thanks to all those rider/wranglers who attended and made the trip to Wydaho.. Good to met Mick and Trish and to ride again with Art and Kelly. Ron and Gloria, speedy recovery from that mad cow disease,,and Ron,,you have some of that "poet and didn't know it" in you,,,my rhyme would be a crime!! Went back to the rodeo grounds today. The foot of snow that fell during round-up weekend groomed up nicely and made for great riding today,,could even see!!! To all,,,,be well and look forward to next year!!

MOOOOO,,,Head em up, move em out,,RAWHIDE!!! I'd be there sooner if I could reach my stirrup,,damn short legs, or damn tall horse!! Hey Art, that pic of the falls, cross the river, 3 blocks and you'd been at my office..I'll be loading the pack mule tonight and hitting the trail at sunrise. Will meet up 10 ish at Dream Catcher with 2Ravens. Then do a little roping, a little branding, a little ear notching, maybe even a little dehorning, may have to use the squeeze chute for them big critters (ya, I grew up doing all that stuff for real!). Great times to be had!! See ye'all real soon now, ya hear!!

I luv Cow I luv Targhee carving medium rare I'll be there!!!:lol:

I will down size from full beard and do the Chu too ,,if I could ride like Norm!!! Great Job on the vids John,,appreciate all the time, talent and effort!! Hey digger jr.,,,smoked any more bowls lately???? haha

Great Job with SkES again,,,one of the finest southern Montucky events!!!,,but missing you here!!Keep up the good work!!

Good work John,,,glad you are keeping track of the important stuff!! Snow is minimal in southern Montucky too,,,,Targhee opened today with just the shoshone lift on the beginners area running. Although they have received over 80 inches to date this season,,,high winds have stripped it all down,,,snow dance with naked nymphs,,suppose to be the most effective!!

Nice job crazy Montucks!!:biggthump

Mine started about 5 years ago...experimental at first,,, with a 172 F2 Silberfeil. Things were pretty rough and bumpy at first but the relationship gradually developed some foundation. It started to blossom after some serious counseling (Dredman), and I was able to let loose of some of my old (soft board) habits. But as sometimes happens, there grew some discontentment with the F2 and I began seeking a greater level of satisfaction...which I found with my 179 Coiler Classic (Montucky Racecarve), which I think became my first true love. But, still needing some ...variety,,,,the quiver was expanded both directions...a Coiler VSR 170 Tight...hmmm...Fun...and a Donek metal FC 185....Hmm..fast, smooth and stable (and sometimes I just need alot of stability). IN love with each of them...they each have their place,,,Would not want to part with any of them. Still feel some need to expand,,,and without guilt...besides,,,here (southern Montucky) and just south of here (Utah),,,Polygamy is not a foreign concept,,,and some think quite highly (heavenly) of it!!

You guys are killing me!! Looks way fun with still great snow. Good to see SkwalGuy out there. Hiked Kellycanyoon 2xs Sat. Mountain still has good coverage but base area is getting thin. Still firm enough on top...thot of trying alpine but wasnt sure how consistent it was. Thanks for vid coverage John!!

Nice! MaineCarver!,,I'm not only envious but down right jealous,,,I'm not sure i even remember being 16,,,,but,,,I did beat my age this year. I'm 57 and hit the low 60s. Many of those days were 10-12 hour days doing full day and night shifts on patrol.That is not including a half dozen days of hiking,,,and I would rather ride than eat, so most the time is on the mountain, snacking on the lift, stopping to eat only on the longer days,,. I wish I would have started this carving stuff years ago. Just finished my fourth full season and for me, carving is the ultimate downhill experience!! Although I feel the mileage settling in,,I hope good health prevails and I can "ride my age" for many more seasons to come. CARVE ON !!!

As always, great work on the videos John. Thanks for capturing a couple great days of carving. Can now use these for summer carving fodder for the next several months!! And what an ending day for the season. I went through 4 closing weekends,,,,Kellycanyon, Big Mountain, Grand Targhee, and Big Sky. Was not expecting my best day to be at the very end,,,,yea ,,,,priceless. Thanks Montuckians!

Who would have thought that the last day of the season ,,April 24 th,, at Big Sky Mt. would provide THE best day of carving of the season ??? Fantastic time with the Montucky crew, 2 Ravens, Dredman and Johnasmo...and some runs with local carver,,Randy...A great way to end the season,,,Big Sky, Big Mountain, blue sky, great groomers and great friends.. thank you all,,,,

Yes, Closing wekend at the FOG GHEE. Will be one to remember,,,wish we couild have seen it!!! Always hate to have it end...and with all the snowfall,,,nearing 600 inches,,great powder but minimal carving. Big thanks to 2 Ravens, James and Colleen for fun riding...till next season!!! Be well!

A bit late on the post...but BIG THANKS to all the the local Big Mountain carving crew. Great to see and ride with everyone again. Big congrats to good friend and mentor Dredman, for skimming the pond in winning style. The Big is a fun Mountain and we had 2 of 3 good days of carving. So the mountain closes and the snow keeps coming...Thanks John, for more fun videos of northern Montucky powder. Was Dave looking for something in that tree well?? To the local carving crew of Big Mountain and visiting fellow carvers from across the northern border, be well,,,,,till next season!

Another great video John....hard to be missing out on that much fun. Great tribute to the Montana snow bowl...but I hear the town was fun!!I may have to migrate north!!

Hoping to leave tonight,,,,ride Sat. and Sun. 1-2 inches new here this morning,,,,should have some fresh up there...See Ya!!

Damn!!! I've seen you make alot of turns...BUT YOU NAILED THAT!!!!! I remember you telling me about the vids you and Casper made...and I finally stumbled across them today...sorry ...senility...What a Great job. So If I ride that slow will I look lthat good???lol But the slow-mo shows how really good those turns are...very tight,,,,,heel and toe sides!! You do southern Montucky proud!!

Kimo,,,no offense taken,,,I would have been the big ugly stinky guy arriving next at your accident. It does remind me of something that happened to me a couple years ago. I was patrolling and rode up the lift with a woman who right off started saying that last time she was up at the hill , she saw a patroller with a long blonde pony tail and she was such a great snowboarder,,,really talking this patroller gal up,,,I'm running thru my head what female patrollers we have with long blonde pony tails,,,,AND WE HAVE NONE!!...I graciously accepted the compliment..on behalf of the patrol,,,but wanted to ask if this gal by chance wore a full face beard?? Hope you are mending quickly...be well!!!

Hello BoL friends and fellow patrollers. I appreciate the observations and comments on the pic. Always great for discussion. Also appreciate the recognition that procedures do vary from hill to hill/patrol to patrol. In this picture, we have just came down a steep icey stretch and are stopped to transfer the sled to the snow machine(chain back up and handles unlocked) to make the trip down the gentle slope and cat track faster. Although our patrol does NOT run snow machines, management is very willing to help when they are available...saving us the long skate and tail rope pull to the first aid room. We sit on the back facing the sled, hanging on to the handles with the handle rope over the back rest of the seat...and will still usually keep the tail rope guy on for the "just in case". On our patrol, the handle rope is optional, but encouraged for newbies. As mentioned, it is best used to secure the handles to the sled when uploading. Chain use is also optional depending on slope and surface conditions. I most always run with the chain down. I find it much easier and I think safer, to feather weight against the chain drag than have a loaded sled pushing me down the hill especially since my legs aren't as young as they use to be. I've run alot of sleds over the 20 years on patrol and have taught snowboarding candidates S&T for the past 8 years. I take the precautions...can always be an unexpected event. Tail rope is required for basic patrollers, optional for Sr. patrollers. I have the option to run without, but will always request someone if we have the help...for obvious safety reasons, (we get a few cowboys who run solo and without a chain too YaHooo) and it gives someone else the opportunity for more experience...the greatest teacher!! National Ski Patrol has been alot of fun. Over the years I have has opportunity to work with alot of great people who I can also call my friends. It is a great service to the skiing/snowboarding public. Kellycanyon is a beginer/intermediate slope. Soft snow years we may record less than 200 injuries, hardpack/ice years we've seen more than 400. Iv'e taken care of a metal sliver (from the edge of her ski) stuck in the finger of a 9 year old racer, to kneeling over a guy in cardiac arrest coming down the hill in the sed doing chest compressions, and a whole aray of things in between, and through it all,,big and small, I just hope trying to do my best will still be enough. So ,,,guys and gals,,,fellow patrollers ,,enjoy and make the best of your time on your patrol and on your mountain,,,,IT,S ALL GOOD!!!

Great Ghee day yesterday. Fun time with the crew. 2 Ravens heel sides are as tight as ever...toe side looking mighty fine too!! James is cruising big on his new 186 Coiler classic (Montucky Race Carve),,as strong and stable as ever....and Colleen is doing great with her transition to hardboots and new stub. Hopefully storms move thru quickly...and sweet groomers again on Wed!!Carve ON!!

Hey John,,,,real nice to see YOU on that digital screen. Looks like you are enjoying the the big Donek GS...riding fine! Finely made it back to targhee yesterday. Kellycanyon closed. Rode the donek FC all day ....a very fine targhee board. Took the vsr but couldnt stop to make the switch. Maybe next time. Northern montucky looks sweet...hope to make it up for closing!!Cheers to the crew!!

Still great snow at kelly canyon. 6-8 ins. new Mon/Tue but it is warming in the valley, die hards go to Targhee, #'s dwindle at kellys. Closing will be this Sunday. Not from lack of snow or bad conditions but a lack of patrons. I will be patrolling Sat 9-7:30 Saturday...Carving company more than welcome. Am planning on the Ghee on Sunday....Hope to see you all there!!!

Thanks you guys....Riceball for great pics and Johnasmo for the montage. Very fine work from you both!!

through the season I've heard many comments and remarks similar to what has been posted here...fun,,,and funny,,,people starring not really sure what to say or ask, but last week had one that I have to share. I just got off the lift and was about to click in,(i'm patrolling) when this older woman..probably late 60's...is climbing up the hill to talk to me. I start sliding down to meet her...she is huffing and puffing..and says.."you are so beautiful" ,,she pauses, then says " no... what you do...it looks so beautiful as you come down the hill"...I just smiled and said thank you..

I'm glad this topic came up. I was about to venture starting a thread because of what I have been experiencing this seaon at my local hill. This is my fourth full season on alpine boards. Because of some great mentoring (Northern Montucky boys) I have some basic skills and this year have been able to leave trenchful memories most runs. I have been on Ski Patrol at this hill for 20 years now. The first 5-6 years as a skier, then mid 90's started boarding...one of the first on our patrol...and now hardboots 95% of the time. Last year the Hill manager started giving me crap about the trenches...sometimes in fun but sometimes a serious tone of "you are messing up my mountain...people are gong to hurt themselves falling on the trenches". This year he has confined me to one area of the mountain, has expressed his displeasure to the patrol director and last week told me not to encourage anyone else to do this stuff or he'll ban it from the mountain. I admit, I've handed out dozens of Bomber cards yet,,,the hill manager has ran out of his office to take pictures of me carving down to the lifts, put the pictures on their web page and has told me he really wishes he could do this. I'm treading lightly (but still carving deeply) as to not ruffle powerful feathers. I get alot of positive feedback from patrons...especially kids...who cheer as I come down under the lift and alot of the park rats who try to follw my trenches on their soft boards then ask how in the world do I do that. But ,,someone must be complaining. Maybe they dont complain to me...cause I'm wearing a patrol coat. But the pot is being stirred. We have no documented cases of injuries resulting from my trenches. Anyone else in the carving community have similar problems with management??.....Any suggestions??..I wonder if this would be happening if I had a season pass instead of a Patrol coat?