Festivus Feats of Strength and Grievances

Today, December 23, is Festivus, a holiday invented and made famous by the Seinfeld sitcom that includes feats of strength and an airing of grievances.

Feats of strength for this year's Festivus celebration involved backcountry skiing.  The vertical feet climbed for the Festivus celbration was modest, but the quality of the skin tracks meant an exceptional amount of effort was exerted per vertical foot.  Nevertheless, there were grins and settled powder to be found.

Kyle Van Peursem  near the summit of Mt. Raymond

Professor Powder in Raymond Glade

Now on to the airing of grievances.  Wasangelas is a remarkably busy place and there are hoards of tourers out and about these days.  Stop the brutal skin tracks!

There's no need for frequent kick turns in terrain like this

Steep skin tracks are not bad ass.  They are stupid, inefficient, and wear out fast.  Kick turns?  Avoid them when you can and spread them out as much as is safely possible.  People who put in safe, efficient skin tracks are better lovers.  If your partner breaks trail at a 30º angle and makes frequent kick turns, it's time to move on.

Finally, lets start conserving powder.  Spoon your partners when you can and when you can't, at least ski tight with their tracks.  Gang shredding all over the hill is bad form!

There, I feel better now, especially since it just started snowing again.  

Happy Festivus!