My World: Winter Back-Country Skiing, Cascades

[Jim Dockery]

Got out on my little local peak, Mt. Pilchuck, for a rare day of good powder and nice light. My photo habit really paid off when I had to constantly stop to shoot on the climb leaving my partner John to break trail to the top! All taken with Sony RX-100 (my go to camera for quick mountain travel).

Climbing

View NE

View from the summit to our ski descent

Skiing The Gunsight

Cruising down last few miles of snow covered road​

 

[Asher Kelman]

Jim,

I love these immensely humbling scenes. Makes one think of the majesty of nature!

View NE

View from the summit to our ski descent

Skiing The Gunsight



​

So, how are you traveling? Skis instead of snow shoes here can be taxing!

Climbing

Cruising down last few miles of snow covered road​

Who is your companion. Did you get to stay somewhere nice too?


Asher

 

[James Lemon]

Impressive!

 

[Jim Dockery]

Asher, we have special back-country skis with bindings that allow our heels to raise up so they work like cross-country skis while climbing. We also use climbing skins that are held to the base with special glue, the little hairs lay flat when slipping forward, then grip the snow when you step down, keeping you in place. On top we rip the skins off, turn the bindings to downhill mode, lock our heels, and buckle the boots tight for good downhill performance.

My buddy John is another retired educator who lives near me, and this little mountain. We both were home for dinner with our wives that night.

This might be my favorite shot from the day since I'm currently on a black & white kick - converted with Silver FX pro. I like how the ridges lead into John having fun down our favorite downhill section.

Skiing The Gunsight B&W​

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Jim,

Got out on my little local peak, Mt. Pilchuck, for a rare day of good powder and nice light. My photo habit really paid off when I had to constantly stop to shoot on the climb leaving my partner John to break trail to the top! All taken with Sony RX-100 (my go to camera for quick mountain travel).

All exquisite!

Thanks so much.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Jim Dockery]

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm very lucky to live here in WA, esp. when we get decent snow like this winter (last year we never got to ski this peak).

 

[Andy brown]

Excellent series Jim.
As foreign as they are to me, I can definitely feel the crisp air and hear the crunch of snow.
You must love days like those. What a great combination, pristine environment, great company, breathtaking scenery, exhilarating excitement and getting some fantastic pics to boot.

I'm sitting here warm, barefoot and suntanned, having swum (snorkelled) a good mile in subtropical water today yet jealous all the same.