Stephen Koch » jackson hole ski patrol

First Tracks In Four Shadows

Stephen Koch — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:36:21 +0000

I was invited to take an early tram with the Ski Patrol by my long time friend and early climbing and mountaineering mentor Kevin Pusey. The plan was to go with him on his snow reduction route, but since there was about 1″ of snow it was not necessary. Instead KP asked me where I wanted to go and I suggested Cody Peak. He smiled and said, “great idea.”

The video below is KP making first tracks on the uber classic Four Shadows route.

Photos of Avalanche Debris that Hit Bridger Restaurant at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Stephen Koch — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:18:50 +0000

Back up!

Below are some photographs of the avalanche debris pile from the avalanche that hit the Bridger Restaurant at the top of the Gondola at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Mother nature…simply amazing!

Heavy Artillary Being Used To Try To Control Avalanches At Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Stephen Koch — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:09:20 +0000

I am home, in Jackson, WY and the windows are being rattled by what I assume is continued avalanche control work by the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol, several miles away at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. They are probably loading up sleds with explosives (fertilizer), lowering them down slopes to the perceived starting points and detonating them. It will be interesting to find out what avalanches and if the slides produced are running on the ice layer or busting through that to the facets on the ground.

Be safe in there and out there.

Stephen Koch