The Mulliken Sweep

No, this isn't the latest dance move being featured on this week's episode of "Dancing with the Stars". Mindy and a friend trekked up from Crested Butte for the weekend. We had so much fun and miss her already! On Saturday, Chip, Mindy and I raced in the Powderkeg, a local annual ski race. The race starts at Alta ski resort, finds it's way into the backcountry, climbing over 5,000 vertical feet, before meandering back in bounds for the finish. Eight miles later, we were all tired and excited. Chip promised me that after last weekend this would be a "walk in the garden". I can't say that I was as relaxed and happy as I am strolling through my tomatoes, but we did pretty well regardless. Mindy took first place in our division, and I followed her for second. Chip came in faster than both of us, but the competition was a bit stiffer in his division. The snow held off while we raced, but fell the rest of the afternoon and evening, making for one more great run on Sunday in the backcountry before Mindy and Matt hopped back in the car for home. Thanks for making the effort you two! And, see ya in a couple weeks in your neck of the woods for some more torturous competitive fun. Can't wait!

"Racing is a matter of spirit not strength."

- Janet Guthrie

(Mindy, Chad, Emily, and Chip enjoying a beer and burger after the race)

Our Nemesis

(Audrey, Andrea, Chip, and Chad at Gunsight Pass)


Two years ago, a group of us spent three days skiing and winter camping in an effort to bag Utah's highest peak in the winter. Most of us (it's a long story) were denied the summit due to wicked weather.

"Life is brought down to the basics: if you are warm, regular, healthy, not thirsty or hungry, then you are not on a mountain... Climbing at altitude is like hitting your head against a brick wall - it's great when you stop."

Chris Darwin

Rockstar Status

(our ski fence...or soon to be someone else's ski fence since
the house went on the market this past weekend!)

I am not sure if it was the mountains of Utah or Chip and I that lured Meegan Addy away from balmy California to take up backcountry skiing. Whatever the reason, I think she was doubting the whole thing after we led her up "God's Lawnmower" on Kessler Peak for her first tour (the white swath pictured in the distance behind Meegan and I in the black and white picture). Yet, despite some fear, frustration, and major blisters, Meegan pulled through and actually wanted to go again. She is such a rockstar!


















It was fun to get a day in on the resort with a crew of friends as well. This is us enjoying brownies ala Emily after lunch. mmmmm....brownies- on that topic, aside from skiing, Meegan, Chip and I managed to finish TWO pans of brownies in three days- sort an Eddy St. tradition.



"Friendship is about commitment and loyalty. I don't think it matters how far apart you are. I don't see some of my girlfriends for ages, but when we get together it is as if time hasn't passed."
- Frances Barber