VertFest 2009

I just want to send a note of thanks out to everyone who attended VertFest - Crystal yesterday! You all helped to make it a huge success! VertFest is such a cool event because you all come out, have fun, ski hard, and inspire those lazy people sitting on the chairlift to check out what is so cool about backcountry skiing.

We broke last years record with 67 racers, which is really impressive considering the economy and the wacky winter we have had. It just goes to show how dedicated this community is to helping the Avalanche Center, and to celebrating all that is great about the backcountry. I can't tell you for certain just yet, but I think that we raised about $4,500.00 for Friends of NWAC. Nice work, and thank you!!

I consider myself a lucky lady to be part of such a cool event. Thanks for all the smiles and fun yesterday. VertFest is hands-down my favorite part of my job thanks to all of you.

Looking forward to seeing you all at VertFest-Alpental on March 28th!

Cheers!
Sam

PS - Race results and photos will be posted as soon as possible at www.outdoorresearch.com/vertfest

On behalf of the Friends of NWAC, a HUGE thanks to OR, Crystal, Marmot, Pro Guiding, all of the reps, and especially everyone who showed up to race.  You all made the event a fantastic success.  NWAC would not exist without all of the support it gets from the backcountry community and the private sector.  It's awesome!  See you all at Alpental, and if not there, hopefully at the inaugural SnowBall dinner and auction on April 10. 

Good times,good people,great course well organized amazing swag!
Take care and thank you to all the people who helped make it a great event!

Hi everyone!

Just a heads up that photos and race results from last weekends VertFest have now been posted! See the VertFest website at: www.outdoorresearch.com/vertfest

Again, it was a great weekend! Thanks again to all the sponsors, the attendees and the amazing racers!

More to come on Alpental...

Cheers!
Sam

Great pictures. I love the guy in the Spidey suit! 

Thanks Lowell. It was fun to shoot such photogenic people!

Several times during the day I was hit with memories of Carl - perhaps it was the combination
of skiing and shooting, but it was quite powerful and made me smile.

Here are a couple haiku I wrote not long ago inspired by the trip to the St. Elias range with Bill Harlieb,
Ron Gregg, and Carl:

The plane flies away
We watch it become a speck
High peaks all around

Is that snow
So high up there?
Or a cloud?

Dome of sky
Mountains to the horizon
Ski tracks in snow.


And one from a ski trip to Three Way Peak with Carl:

Almost to the pass
An eagle soars in the sun
Snow on Three Way Peak.

Great pictures. I love the guy in the Spidey suit!