Category Archives: Backbone Adventures

Last Thursday, all of Backbone headed to SIA to check out the year’s hottest new gear, and I felt a little left out. Just as the huge crocodile tears were about to fall down my face when I realized no one was at the office to talk to, I got an email from a good friend and local superstar outdoor photographer, Gabe Rogel . He was shooting a Grand Targhee Resort cat skiing photo shoot the next day and needed skiers. I threw the idea out to my officemate Mike May and he informed me that if I showed up the next day and didn’t go cat skiing, he’d never speak to me again. SO, I went. Twist. My. Arm. The trip also gave me a much needed chance to test out some of my new Backbone gear.

Here is my stoked face on our way up…. first run excitement. Notice my BD Avalung snorkel at the ready.

Here is Gabe working hard with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort staffer, John Beal. John was lucky enough to get to test out the new Cloudveil 2010-11 RPK Jacket and Full Zip Hoodie. Turns out neon yellow looks even better when you are dropping cliffs.

More product testing… the powder skirt on the RPK came in reeeeaaal handy.

The view on the top of Grand Targhee is incredible… especially on a bluebird pow day. Check out the Tetons (and my new obsession-the Bandit Avalung Seth Morrison edition). It makes me look way more hard core than I am.

We closed out the day with a wolf moon rise on the top of the mountain. Pretty spectacular. Another tough day at the office.

Photos: Tristan Greszko

For all those who admittedly felt a pang of jealousy after reading Penn’s most recent post about ice climbing, Nordic skiing and playing ice hockey during lunch— I want to assure you that you’re not alone. As a member of Backbone Media’s injured employee list (which includes myself and Jonathan Georger), I have been unable to do much of anything athletic since Thanksgiving. In this post, however, I promise not mope or complain about my fractured leg, but instead will point out the advantages of being hurt. Maybe all you healthy people will even be a bit envious when you hear about all the cool things I’ve been up to.

Number 1: I’ve organized my itunes library. All you people with unlabeled tracks, missing cover art, and partially tagged music should be jealous. Although I’m sure you’ll tell me you’re too busy shredding pow and enjoying the sunshine to bother with such a lame activity, I nonetheless would like to assure you of the satisfaction I’ve gotten from a perfectly labeled and perfectly organized music collection.

Number 2: I’ve caught up with old friends and relatives. Free of the time suck of skiing all day, doing yoga, and exercising in general, I’ve been able to have lengthy conversations with my long-lost friends from college, see my grandpa, and even convince my aunt Lucy to come visit for Christmas (she came because this year I couldn’t disappear to the mountains the day after the holiday to go skiing). I’ve even reached out to my high school friends and have planned a very exciting girl’s trip to Vegas.

Number 3: I’ve learned how to swim better. As I grew up in land-locked Colorado and quit swim team after three months because I was too scrawny, I unfortunately never learned how to swim well. Now that the doctor has recommended swimming as one of the only physical endeavors I can enjoy in my current condition, I’m finally facing my deficiencies. My first visit to the pool, I’ll admit, was challenging. My one-piece was way too small (it was probably purchased in 8^th grade) and I had forgotten (and didn’t even own) goggles. I didn’t seem to go anywhere when using a kickboard, and was lapped about a million times by the guy in the lane next to me. Despite these setbacks, I was pleased to discover that I did, in fact, enjoy swimming. I felt free in a way I never had before, and my body was thankful to be doing something that didn’t bang up my bones and joints like every other sport I usually participate in.

In sum, I hope I have convinced you that being injured doesn’t totally suck. There are lots of things you can do that aren’t a waste of time. Although, I’ll admit this post is a bit biased as I haven’t included the hours I’ve spent on the couch watching TV and movies (which, I might argue, is NOT a waste of time), I hope it will inspire you to make the most out of being laid up or unable to go outside for any reason. At the very least, maybe you will think twice before doing stupid things like going to Woodward and borrowing your friend’s gear that is two sizes too big (I know I will).

Former Snowmass patroller Laura Patten recently joined the team at Backbone Media. A Colorado native, Laura brings an in-depth understanding of media, Excel wizardry and a passion for all things outdoors to the office. I recently caught up with Laura and presented her with a list of random topics. Here’s what she had to say:

Inspirations: Cool people doing cool things. Living their life the way they want; working hard and playing harder.

Books: Lately I’ve been interested in personal finance and investing. I know it sounds geeky, but I figure if I get a start now, I will be ready for retirement when the time comes. I just finished Suze Orman’s Young, Fabulous and Broke and Investing for Dummies. Robert Kiyoskai’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad also opened my eyes to a whole new approach on life and money.

Movies: I’ll admit it- I loved the first Transformers movie!

TV: I don’t watch TV much, but anytime I happen to catch Curb Your Enthusiasm I’m stoked. Larry David is curmudgeony, but so hilarious.

Magazines: Bike Magazine, Freeskier and Personal Investing (in-line with my recent finance kick) are the only magazines I subscribe to. I used to read dirty stories from Cosmo (surprisingly un-PC) to all the male patrollers while waiting to go on clear. They loved it.

Websites: Facebook

Athletes: Penn and Greg riding tandem ellipticals.

Places to ski: Snowmass!!! Duh. I love skiing all the patrol stashes and hanging out with all my old co-workers.

Dream travel locations: I hear that Kauai has some sweet camping spots and can be done on the cheap. Dream vacation-wise, I would love to get a round-the-world ticket and travel for six months wherever.

Musical artists/groups: Still true to my high school roots- I like punk like Alkaline Trio and The Airborne Toxic Event.

Foods: Mexican! Lobster. Every time I visit a coast, I try to bring back some on the airplane.

Beverages: New Belgium

Pet peeves: Stuff doesn’t really bother me much- except for when I have to reinstall the printer every time I need to print.

Animals: I want an Australian Shepard, but can’t have a dog where I live. Also, I am not sure I am willing to make the required commitment.