TamMac Day 2

After replenishing the bodies with  growlers and great food we retired to our bunks, but not before stoking the wood stoves to keep the heat going.  The wood in the stoves ran out and the yurt started to get a little chilly in the very early morning hours.  This was a bit of a challenge for the wifer as she had a 20 degree bag…she is cold blooded by nature so this was a rough night for her, especially since she could not get her sleeping bag zipper to function.

We collectively got up, got the fire stoked and cranked up for a couple hrs of sleep before rallying for Day 2.

We decided to skin up to Probiscus and then over to the lookout to check out the views.  The closer we got to the lookout, the better the views got.  We were treated to amazing views of Sisters and BrokenTop that came in and out of the clouds.  There is a prominent prow along the rim that makes for a great lookout and an even better spot to lunch.  The packs went down, cameras came out, and food was devoured.  While up at the prow, we noticed a couple of guys skinning up one of the lines that we could see from the prow.  Pretty soon, the terrain got steep and they went from skin mode, to boot pack mode.  They slowly made their way up and we all watched anxiously wondering what line they were going to drop in on.
The anticipation grew until one of them dropped in and made a few jump turns and started to pick his way down the line.  You could tell it was steep and there was no margin for error or it would mean rolling a few hundred feet before stopping.  Soon enough, he skied the line out and it was the 2nd guy's turn.  He also picked his way through the terrain on the descent and then cruised the lower angle stuff at the bottom.  We were inspired at the line and at their energy as this was already the 3rd line they had picked off that day and we were barely getting ready for our first descent.

We cruised our way back from the lookout prow back down to Probiscus and dropped in close to where we had the day before.  The snow was still good and we were all basking in what was for the most part a blue bird day.  We stopped about midway down our prior day's line and decided to head back up our skin tracks at the bottom of the bowl and head back up for another run.

Run #2 was just as invigorating and put an equal amount of ear to ear smiles on everyone's face.  We were able to find some untracked snow and reveled in the quality of the experience.  This did NOT suck!

Run #2 ended up being our swan song for the day and we picked our way back to the yurts where the evening's festivities started to unfold…suffice it to say, it involved a sauna (yes, there is a sauna at the yurts and it took a while but Nathan nursed the stove until it was ready) and Eric's helicopter towel move…lots of Jaegermeister, beer, wine, port, and a kick ass curry dinner put together by Cari and Rick.  Bob, Eric, and Nathan were leaving the following day so we had to make sure to tie one on for good measure.
Day 3 awaited……

TamMac Backcountry Day 1

After getting chauffeured in by the 3 Sisters crew, we quickly unloaded and got the crew ready for a day of guiding.  We had collectively decided that having a guide for the first day would be money very well spent as it would give us a lay of the land and history of the snowpack.

Shane drew the short straw and was stuck guiding us for the day.  After doing a quick beacon check, the group quickly started the skin up the terrain with Shane leading the way.  We were all marveling at the snow and commenting on how lucky we were timing wise.  There appeared to be about 4-5 inches of fresh snow on top of a very consolidated base that had at some point frozen.  About 1/3 of the way up we came up on a slight obstacle (down tree) and we all watched and got a giggle as Bob wrassled with tree as if someone had lathered it in baby oil.  Soon enough, we were all moving again and working our way up.

I was curious about our group as we had never collectively skied or snowboarded together so the first day was also going to be a day of discovery relative to our collective skill set.
We worked our way to the top where Shane showed us the playground and we dropped in on a nice little bowl and we all put in some fresh tracks.  The snow was riding superbly and I started to get really excited about how well the snow would hold up over the coming days.

As we made our way out of the bowl, we got into the trees and enjoyed a great run that continued with nicely spaced trees.  We eventually ended up at the meadow where we re-grouped and transitioned back into skin mode to go back up.

Soon enough the fireball (cinnamon whiskey) that Nathan brought made an appearance and beckoned for a quick pull and nip on the go go juice.  After a quick hydration break, we started the climb back up to the ridge.  This time, our target was the bowl below Probiscus.
Shane broke trail and showed us our next objective for the day….a sweet bowl that was just asking to be torn apart with new tracks….we obliged.
We dropped in and all got some fresh tracks.  Once again, the snowpack was amazing and our trip was only getting started!

After we all got our ear to ear grins on from the ride, the group split into two.  Part of the group headed back to the yurt and the rest of us wanted to head back up to the top of Probiscus to scope out the terrain there.
We peaked at the lookout and then Shane took us down one of the lines on the skier's right.  We were absolutely shocked!  The snow was even better here!!!  The terrain was better too!  We took turns laying down fresh tracks and regrouped at the next little plateau for the next pot of snow gold.  The next little drop provided better snow still!  The snow here was totally untracked and undisturbed…this was by far the best run of the day.  The snow was buttery and the slope was dreamy…it just kept getting better and better.  Soon enough we were through the next drop in and riding through the trees.  We darted through the trees and finally got to the bottom where us snowboarders had to get our ski poles out to push along through the flats.

Our ride and skiing was coming to an end for the day, but our evening was just beginning.  We  thanked Shane profusely for showing us the goods and he was nice enough to hang out for a little as we shared a couple of brews with him.  He headed back to the parking lot and left us to our own devices for dinner and aprez ski fun.  We quickly made ourselves at home and relived the day's events. It was a huge thumbs up and it was only the first day…this was going to be a good, no….a GREAT trip!

Three Sisters Backcountry Yurts

We were lucky enough to nail down reservations to the Three Sisters Backcountry yurts and the only thing standing in our way was the weather.  Mother nature had been on the pineapple express the past few weeks in central Oregon and we were all beginning to wonder whether or not old man winter would pay us a visit.

Mother Nature impacted our reservations as we had some cancellations due to the weather.  This really ended up being a blessing in disguise.

Mother Nature even cooperated enough to dump snow on us prior to our arrival.  We really had the best of all worlds….#1, the conditions were PRIMO!  We laid down fresh tracks in great snow throughout our 4 day stay...  #2, the weather was brilliant!  We were treated to blue bird days and phenomenal views.  #3, the weather allowed us to get the most out of our guided day where we got a great lay of the land.  #4, the amount of people in the group ended up being awesome sauce as we all got a chance to hang out while the group dynamics just thrived.

As for the yurts, they are pretty sweet!  We were not left wanting for anything.  They were well stocked from the stoves, to the cooking utensils, firewood, bunks, and even a couple of guitars to boot!  not to mention the fat bikes…all in all, what a great setup!  We all appreciated the creature comforts and the artistic touches.  Top Notch!

Some pictures of our 'camp' below….including an empty bottle of Jaeg that fell victim to a thirsty set of backcountry hounds on the 2nd night.  I can't wait to get back there!