Back on the pointy edge, overcome fears, practice humility (being new at shit!), more time in nature, share my love for mountains and challenges with others. That is my North Star. This winter i have spent many weeks getting more experience, learning new skills, building more confidence in my path to be a certified Mountain (Ski) Guide. With this winter / spring behind me look to apply formally into the American Mountain Guide track this summer. As always blessed to have Lucia and my family support in this undertaking… thank you!
If you give a shit…here are the cliff notes :).
VAN LIFE
Time in the Van…people ask me what do you do. I normally just think and reflect on my life. No shit. For hours and hours. I really enjoy it!
BACKCOUNTRY SKIING / SKI MOUNTAINEERING
If you ask me what i love most about backcountry skiing and more technical ski mountaineering…it could be lots of things — beauty, quiet, “big nature”, the sound of the ski poles hitting the wind buffed rocks on a ridge, the skiing!, but actually the highlight for me is working as a team with people you trust and often love (if you are with your buddies!). It is a unforgiving environment…so a great place to grow team work and decision making skills! And make memories that you will remember in your last breaths on earth…no doubt!
- The Love of Skiing / Love in general.
2) Learning new skills and developing others!
After a year of rock climbing…my buddy Chris mentored me and we enjoyed a few days of climbing at the City of Rocks (in Southern Idaho). Big trip for me…not only enjoying climbing with a great friend but accomplishing my first lead climbs and co leading a multi pitch. Still so much to learn. Also spent time with great guides/coaches/leaders with Sawtooth Mountain Guides and Big Sky Backcountry Guides. Sawtooth mountain guides (Stanley Idaho) took my Level 2 Avalanche course and also had an epic day in the backcountry with the co owner Erik. I spent two back to back yurt trips at Bell Lake Yurt in the Tobacco Root mountains (100 miles or so West of Bozeman) with the team at Big Sky Backcountry Guides. One trip with buddies and another developing more skills in more technical skiing and mountaineering.
Next for me a trip / expedition clinic to Mount Baker with mentor, friend, IMGA Mountain Guide — Ben Markhart. Spend time on the glacier, navigating in that terrain, rescue skills in crevasse, and hopefully a climb and ski from the summit! Then summer on the river…before a busy 24/25. No doubt!
The journey continues…
Here is a great memory from this winter…powder conditions in mid April in North Couloir on Long Peak in Tobacco Root mountains. Not very often skied… Pretty hard to get to:).
Great post. Wonderful times and memories to last forever!
Right on brother!!!
Thanks for sharing – a ton of new things accomplished in a short period. Not a surprise!
Tx Bykow!
Loved the post BB! Keep on living we only get one shot at it!
Right on!!! Tx Craig.
You’re really doing it BBell! What an adventure!!
just living the book you gave me 🙂
Hey Brian, thanks for sharing. Loved reading it. Can’t wait to read about your future adventures….and maybe I can meet you out there sometime. I could use a guide sometime.
lets do it Tim!
Great post Brian!
Still remembering those good old times at CML.
Cheers from Italy,
Franco
Nice hearing from you Franco!
That’s awesome Brian! What a great story – glad to learn about your adventures.
Ian
Love seeing this Brian and all the new adventures. Looking forward to hearing them all!
Yeah Baby!!!!
Have I ever told you the story of the Woolly Mammoth…
This is awesome! Happy for you BBell!
Wow amazing Brian . Great pix also. Enjoy 👍