Feathered Friends Blog

Hut Skiing in the Selkirk Mountains

Words and Photos by Jed Porter

Canada is where it’s at. As much as we Americans love our local skiing, its our northern neighbors that truly hold the goods. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love skiing in all corners of the United States. We have an amazing diversity of terrain, cultures, and climates in which to practice the white and slippery. If an American ski mountaineer were to assemble a “bucket list” of must do trip types, many could be accomplished on home turf. However, there is one type of ski vacation that is simply better in Canada.

There’s nothing like arriving at a remote backcountry hut after a long day in the uncertain wild. Meagan Buck Porter strips skins.
There’s nothing like arriving at a remote backcountry hut after a long day in the uncertain wild. Meagan Buck Porter strips skins.

Western Canada, with its reliable snow and unique land-use patterns and history, is blessed with some of the best backcountry, hut-based ski touring on the planet.

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Ancient Art – The Coolest Top Out In Climbing? | North America’s Fifty Classic Climbs, Episode 2

WITH MARK & JANELLE SMILEY

Episode 2 is live! From perfect splitters, terrible weather, dicey double cornices, stellar granite, Mark and Janelle Smiley saw a lot of what climbing had to offer in 2014. Each climb has attributes that make them unique and special. One look at Ancient Art in Utah’s Fisher Towers and it’s abundantly clear what makes this climb a classic – it is remarkably aesthetic. It’s main corkscrew route to the tiny top is a climb that draws climbers from around the world.

Because of its sandstone composition, Ancient Art may very well be ancient history in the near future. Check out what makes this classic so special with Mark and Janelle Smiley, and get after it!

Looking down from the tiny top-out of Ancient Art. Janelle Smiley on the belay.
Looking down from the tiny top-out of Ancient Art. Janelle Smiley on the belay.

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Ancient Art – The Coolest Top Out In Climbing? | North America’s Fifty Classic Climbs, Episode 2 WITH MARK & JANELLE SMILEY Episode 2 is live! From perfect splitters, terrible weather, dicey double cornices, stellar granite, Mark and Janelle Smiley saw a lot of what climbing had to offer in 2014. Each climb has attributes … Continue reading Ancient Art – One Aesthetic Climb | Episode 2

The post Ancient Art – One Aesthetic Climb | Episode 2 appeared first on Expedition Tales.

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Fine Jade (5.11a) – Utah’s Best Sandstone Tower | North America’s Fifty Classic Climbs, Episode 1

With Mark & Janelle Smiley

Check out the first episode in 2015 from Mark & Janelle Smiley and EpicTV from Fine Jade, an absolute desert classic. Right on The Rectory in Moab’s Castle Valley, with fine views of Castleton Tower, and complemented by some of the finest sandstone cracks imaginable, it should be high on any trad climber’s list. See what this fantastic line in Utah’s high desert is all about!

As an epicenter for climbing, Moab's Castle Valley contains many classics, including Fine Jade (5.11a)
As an epicenter for climbing, Moab’s Castle Valley contains many classics, including Fine Jade (5.11a). Photo: Mark Smiley

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The Calling with Barry Blanchard Join us at Feathered Friends November 3rd, 2014 for a special event with alpinist Barry Blanchard! One of North America’s top alpinists, Barry Blanchard will be reading excerpts and showing images from his new book The Calling: A Life Rocked by Mountains. Known for pushing the standards of highly technical, … Continue reading Barry Blanchard ‘The Calling’ Reading and Slideshow – Nov 3

The post Barry Blanchard ‘The Calling’ Reading and Slideshow – Nov 3 appeared first on Expedition Tales.

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