In fall 2009, Art Burrows, Penn Newhard and Chris Davenport began compiling lines for their new book, Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America. Now, over a decade later, the book has inspired another wave of ski mountaineers, namely Noah Howell, Cody Townsend and (most recently) Michael Wirth, who have each embarked on a quest to ski the 50 lines—including some so daunting that, Burrows says, “skiing just one during a lifetime would be enough for most people.”
Backcountry Magazine Welcomes Greta Close as Associate Editor
Backcountry Magazine is excited to welcome Greta Close to its production team as associate editor. An intern this summer, she returns—following a month lobstering in Maine—in a new role, joining Editor-in-Chief Betsy Manero and Managing Editor Tom Hallberg.
Rescuers recover body of ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson on Nepal’s Manaslu
Rescuers have recovered the body of renowned ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson, 49, two days after she fell while skiing below the summit of Manaslu in the Nepalese Himalaya. Nelson is being remembered as a super hero of the sport by many on social media.
Renowned Ski Mountaineer Hilaree Nelson Missing on Manaslu
Renowned ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson is missing on Manaslu in Nepal. Eyewitnesses reported that Nelson, 45, fell more than 80 feet into a crevasse while descending on skis from the 26,781-foot peak with her partner, Jim Morrison.
Mountain Skills: How to Prepare for Your Level 1 Avalanche Course
Beacon. Shovel. Probe. For years, these have been the standard required tools for heading into the backcountry. But what good are they without the proper training in how to recognize hazards and use them effectively? That’s where a 24-hour Level 1 avalanche certificate course comes into play.
It’s Snow and Avalanche Workshop Season
It’s snow and avalanche workshop season, when avalanche centers and educational organizations around the country bring in snow-science experts to share the latest insights. To help you find one in your region, we’ve compiled a list of the workshops we know about.
A Methodical Learner: Tim van der Krogt Brings Freestyle Flair to Splitboard Mountaineering
From dropping Rogers Pass pillows to ticking off some of Revelstoke, B.C.’s biggest lines, Tim van der Krogt brings freestyle flair to the backcountry
Mountain Skills: Why You Should Upgrade Your Avalanche Transceiver
Imagine your best friend buried under frozen avalanche debris. Precious minutes have passed, and you are still fumbling around on the debris surface because the outdated transceiver you are searching with is unreliable and malfunctioning. According to Dale Atkins, former president of the American Avalanche Association and a 30-year avalanche professional, any transceiver more than 10 years old should be retired, even if it has hardly been used.
Old Gal Powder: Thirty-Six Years of Friendship, Exploration and Skiing
From the peaks of the Himalaya to the office of Exum Mountain Guides in Jackson, Wyoming, Jane Gallie and Margo Krisjansons have formed a bond that stretches back decades. According to lead Exum guide Jess Baker, “They’re the glue that holds Exum together.”
40 Tribes: Backcountry Riding in Kyrgyzstan
In this interview from 2014, we talk with Ryan Koupal, who first visited the China/Kyrgyzstan border in 1999 and was deeply intrigued by the rugged, remote Tien Shan Mountains. So, after graduating in 2003 with a degree in Mandarin Chinese from Middlebury College, he returned to the Tien Shan while leading programs for Where There Be Dragons, a study-abroad program for high school and college students.
