March 15 Last Blast of POW

I measured 12 feet of base @ 6,500 yesterday. This last storm dropped 1 to 2 feet of cold snow and Steve Perlman and I did another 6 days in a row. We have over 70 days of skiing this year, the bulk of them climbing in the back country. Not done yet but the birds are singing, the clocks are changed and the river beckons emerald and stunning. Today Rush Sturges arrives back from a two week European tour where the reception of his new movie DREAM RESULT was nothing short of spectacular. Allison Sturges distinguished herself by turning 21, and while the transition had a few rough edges, we were thrilled to see her on Skype looking well centered and loving life in New Zealand. Time to go back over to Otter Bar and continue projects, go kayaking, and ride the bike. Supposed to be in the 70's all week and being over there at this time of year is sublime. Two days ago there was a foot of snow ringing the hills above. The newsletter will go out early this week so you should see it soon! cheers peter

Selkirk Wilderness Skiing Feb 7-13

Following the week at Valhalla Mountain Touring (see previous post) I made it over to the Selkirks for a week of cat skiing with Brenda Drury's Selkirk Wilderness skiing. Great way to follow a week of climbing and the North sides held solid for excellent boot top shots with 20 or so cm fresh in bits and pieces. Ethan Guerra joined me there for the week and we had a blast, although he kicked my butt in the speed dept. My main ski partner, Frank Warshawski, kept things real (and hilarious) and blasting through the trees was the bomb! So Cal crew was a lot of fun and especially enjoyed Dan Stright's amazing slide show. Many thanks to the amazing chefs (Kate and Marg) as well as the rest of the absolutely fabulous staff at SWS. Lead guides Jason and Justin did a stellar job putting us on to the freshies! Also was a real pleasure reconnecting with Ram and Inga. Hope we meet again and THANKS for a memorable week! Photo address to follow. cheers peter sturges http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=189596&id=611307362&ref=mf

Feb 15 Two weeks in BC

Just returned from two weeks in BC. Had an amazing time and while it wasn't deep pow we had a series of one to four inch storms and it kept things primo. Northern aspect shots were favored and with cold temps and great people and food we had a screaming blast. Spent the first week at Valhalla Mountain Touring where we climbed approx 25,000 feet over 6 days. Jasmine's incredible energy and expertise combined with Annie's off the charts food (up to OB standards) and Collin and Eric's fantastic additional support made for a truly fantastic experience! I have 105 photos from this trip which I will post shortly and will be editing this post later today to tell you where to find them. The second week was spent at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing (cat show) just to the East of VMT. I will include a post and photo later this week on this trip. Hope this finds you all well. Will be headed over to Otter Bar latter today to do some paddling and work and will get Rush to help me figure out how ansd where to post photos! cheers peter Here is the address for the pics http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189592&id=611307362&l=c34c27da51

January 26 2010

Photo taken yesterday. We have had 14 feet of snow in the last week and the skiing has been OK. Insane is more like it. My Black Diamond Justice skis rock. Looks like a promising water year for Otter Bar! Alli just left for New Zealand (via Australia) for a year of school and Rush has been in Salt Lake at Outdoor Retailer as well as attending a showing of Africa Revolutions Tour at XDANCE. Kristy has been keeping the business from unraveling and I have been, well, skiing for a few days.... or so. Off to BC on Sat to Valhalla Mountain Touring for a week and then to Selkirk Wilderness Skiing for a week (spoiled brat that I am). Let us know what you are doing! cheers peter

Dec 20 Back from Tahoe

Photo taken last week at Evan's house in Alpine Meadows (thanks again) - 60 inches of fresh in one storm (that's the Explorer under there). Our family is circling the wagons as Rush has just arrived back from Chile and Alli, after skiing with me in Tahoe, is now home but headed out the door for a year in New Zealand in mid January. Rush broke his back down in Argentina but, at present, it seems that he will make a full recovery in a few months. You can learn more by going to his web site, river-roots.com if you are so inclined. We are excited to be all together and hope to rendezvous later today at the Etna house. I hope this finds our extended family happy and well! p

Thanksgiving blast @OB

Thanksgiving 2009 at Otter Bar was, well, off the charts. We had over 30 people for dinner and the lodge/cabins were at capacity. New on the scene this year was the John and Dina Johns family, the Cedar and Mahaj family as well as my brother Jock and Maia and their kids Marine and their newest arrival Maeve. Simply put, we had a blast! Great weather allowed for major walks and even a backhoe ride and the four day holiday seemed over before it began. Rush was sorely missed as he is still in Chile flinging himself off of cliffs. It is one of the greatest events that we host at Otter Bar and it is the one time we really use the place for a massive party for many of our dearest friends. Of course, I'm still picking up the pieces of our destroyed lodge (just kidding). As most of you know, the new web site is up and not without some glitches. PLEASE let us know if you have any trouble loading any of it. Should be all good now but... This brings our love to those of you who didn't make it and to our huge extended family that make this life possible! Peter and Kristy

Nov 22 clean and full

With the help of Rush Sturges and crew we drained and cleaned the far pond and as of this morning it is finally full again. Squeaky clean, at least for a nano second. New web site went up yesterday and it is dumping snow at Bachelor and Mt Hood. Took this photo minutes ago after a night of rain. Thanks to Paul Johnson and Bob Ferguson for hours of modeling work for the new site! cheers p