Kimkircher

LATEST ARTICLES ( 201 )

• Are Extreme Sports Too Risky?

  

  Each one of us has our own risk/reward calculus. Or perhaps we just weigh risk differently. Some people feel the sharp tang of risk just taking a stroll in the... Read more

  Posted on 07 April 2014 OUTDOORS

• What Does It Feel Like to Demolish a Chairlift?

  

  “What were your immediate thoughts when you realized the avalanche was so big?”That’s a question I heard a lot yesterday.A 25 lb explosive charge set off this... Read more

  Posted on 12 March 2014 OUTDOORS

• Avalanche Control at Crystal Mountain

  

  Seeing a big avalanche in person can kind of change your perspective. In many ways I wish that I could take skiers and riders along with me when I do avalanche... Read more

  Posted on 10 March 2014 OUTDOORS

• Tracking the “Why” of Avalanches

  

  Researchers at Montana State University hope to better understand how heuristics (human factors) contribute to avalanche mitigation. They are looking for... Read more

  Posted on 06 March 2014 OUTDOORS

• Big Avalanche Results and More About Treewell Safety

  

  Paul Baugher, the Ski Patrol Director at Crystal Mountain, is concerned about treewell safety. Treewells are the airy voids around trees draped heavily with... Read more

  Posted on 23 February 2014 OUTDOORS

• All This Snow: Be Careful out There

  

  The weather at Crystal is either on or off. There’s no in between up here in the Cascades. And for the past seven days a cold, snowy hose has been pointed... Read more

  Posted on 20 February 2014 OUTDOORS

• All This Snow: This is What We Live For

  

  The weather at Crystal is either on or off. There’s no in between up here in the Cascades. And for the past seven days a cold, snowy hose has been pointed... Read more

  Posted on 20 February 2014 OUTDOORS

• World Freeride Qualifier at Crystal: A Recap From the Athletes

  

  Crystal held its first World Freeride Qualifier last week, and in spite of the bitter cold conditions the event was a success. This is the road to the WFT... Read more

  Posted on 15 February 2014 OUTDOORS

• Stranded at the Airport: Putting the Gnar in Narita

  

  The switch from comfort to desperation can happen fast. Sometimes all it takes is a big snowstorm, a missed connection and a city incapable of removing snow fro... Read more

  Posted on 13 February 2014 OUTDOORS

• Windchill, Frostbite, and Winter Storms Coming

  

  She’s back. Winter that is. The past few days at Crystal have been quite cold. While we haven’t yet been pounded by mounds of fresh snow, the snow from last... Read more

  Posted on 06 February 2014 OUTDOORS

• Riding a Chairlift

  

  Single Chairlifts offer lots of time to thinkThe number one objective of a ski area is to provide uphill transportation. All the other stuff–the... Read more

  Posted on 24 January 2014 OUTDOORS

• The Four W’s: When Winter Packs a Punch

  Winter finally arrived last week and so did the four w’s: wild, windy, wet and wacky. Really, it’s the three w’s but we like to throw the wacky in there... Read more

  Posted on 14 January 2014 OUTDOORS

• The Return of Winter

  

  Winter might just be returning to the PNW. Things are starting to look up. The graph below shows the predicted snowfall (in inches) between now and Thursday... Read more

  Posted on 06 January 2014 OUTDOORS

• A Daughter’s Tribute to Her Father

  

  My father passed away a few days ago due to complications from multiple myeloma.Daddy’s GirlHe was diagnosed just a year ago, and now he’s gone. For the past... Read more

  Posted on 02 January 2014 OUTDOORS

• Promises, Promises

  

  “Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody ever does anything about it.”  –Warren MillerPraying for SnowIt’s no secret that the PNW is suffering in the snow... Read more

  Posted on 22 December 2013 OUTDOORS

• Mountain Girl Power: A Day on the Slopes with the SAFE AS Crew

  

  Saturday was an extravaganza of girl power. Between spending the morning with the K2 International Woman’s Ski Day posse and the afternoon with the S.A.F.E.... Read more

  Posted on 15 December 2013 OUTDOORS

• Women’s Ski Day at Crystal Mountain

  

  Hey Ladies! This Saturday is International Women’s Ski Day, and Crystal Mountain is hosting. That means you can come with your gal pals, meet new ones, take lap... Read more

  Posted on 12 December 2013 OUTDOORS

• This Post Will Make You Jealous

  

  This is not a real post.Admittedly, I haven’t put up as much content lately. I’ve been far too busy. Skiing. So instead of letting another day/week go by withou... Read more

  Posted on 03 December 2013 OUTDOORS

• Praying for Snow

  

  The sacrificial ski burning to coax the ear of the godsFlames from the bonfire sparked overhead like tiny red snowflakes falling upward. Read more

  Posted on 25 November 2013 OUTDOORS

• Crystal Reopens Tomorrow: Conditions Report

  

  John and Scott give two enthusiastic “thumbs up”Thanks to the new snow we received in the past 24 hours, Crystal will reopen tomorrow. Read more

  Posted on 19 November 2013 OUTDOORS