Blogger report from the field: yurt life with North Cascade Heli

I was already excited by the time I arrived at the North Cascade Heli launch pad in Mazama, Washington on the morning of March 11. But when I heard the thump, thump of the blades of the approaching helicopter that would take us to the Barron Yurt, 25 miles deep in the North Cascade backcountry, my excitement tripled.

It was a trip that promised adventure, merely by the fact that once the heli brought us in that Sunday night, we were in until Thursday afternoon. No way out, unless you planned on skinning for days. It’s a program offered by North Cascade Heli operation: 3- or 4- night yurt trips, and we’d opted for the 4-night, 5-day adventure.

But who would want to get out, with awesome backcountry lines all around us and a comfortable yurt to come home to? The trip included all meals, guide services (which were amazing, by the way – Brad and Jeff, you rock!), yurt lodging, and, of course, heli rides in and out. (If you’ve never been in a helicopter, you’re missing out on one of life’s great adrenaline boosters.)

When the little yurt came into view on our fly-in, the excitement level crescendoed. Our home for the next 4 days, and look at terrain surrounding our digs! We wasted no time getting “settled in” and all that; it was a quick gear drop and then back onto the heli for a “heli bump” – the one run we would not have to earn on the trip.

Our ride into the valley, parked just in front of the yurt.

The pilot dropped us off atop Tamarack Peak above the yurt; the view was surreal with the sun illuminating the lingering clouds so the peaks revealed themselves (it would be the only time we’d get a true view of the area, as the storms came in all week).

Home Sweet Home.

We readied and dropped in for our first sample of local offerings, and the run did not disappoint. There was something deeply satisfying about only seeing our tracks on the slope. When we made it to the bottom, we still didn’t stop: changeover for a quick skin up the ridge for a run called “Nightline.” We finally got in at 7:30 p.m. and were promptly treated to appetizers as the homemade lasagna heated up.

The path to the goods, just 10 steps from the yurt door.

The pace of Day 1 was a perfect indicator to how the next 4 days would go: a lot of skinning, a lot of switching over from touring to riding modes (us splitboarders on the trip got really good at quick transitioning, as the skiers did not like to wait), and a lot sliding over buttery, untouched snow, which, again, only had our tracks on it – until the next storm painted them over.

The skin-drying section of the yurt.

I had complete confidence in our guides’ abilities to find us safer lines. After doing early-morning weather and snow observations, Jeff and Brad discussed the options of the day, then rallied in the evenings to again assess snow conditions – all while making sure the 8 of us were comfortable and fed.
The weather was classic Northwest: quick-changing yet mostly snowy. In one morning it would go from a complete white-out, to just a little foggy, to bits of sun teasing for a few minutes, then back to white-out. I was glad to have my Revolution goggles with the photochromatic Zebra lens for this kind of hyper-variable light. I had enough trouble changing my splitboard over quickly to bother with changing lenses!
All in all, it was a fantastic week of skiing and yurt-chilling in a faraway backcountry oasis. I am already trying to figure out how I can go again next year.

– Christine Rasmussen

Dawn Glanc recaps a trip to Iceland with Patrick Ormond, Kitty Calhoun and Jay Smith

On February 13, 2012, Patrick Ormond, Kitty Calhoun, Jay Smith and I traveled to Iceland to climb. We went with the ambition of climbing unclimbed ice lines. After landing in Reykjavik, we drove to the western fjords, where the temperatures were cold and the conditions were ideal for ice to form. The trip was very successful. Collectively, the team climbed 12 first ascents of multi pitch ice routes, on remote cliffs, many of which had not been visited by climbers.We found multiple first ascents, all of which were WI5 or harder. It was a true test of our skills. We climbed in a very unique setting. The walls we found were right on a fjord, so the views of the landscape were amazing. We were climbing ice in the mountains, and had views of water below us and sea gulls flying overhead. It was an adventurous trip in that we would scope a line one day, and climb it the next. We all felt challenged by the routes we climbed. It was gratifying to complete the goals that we had set for ourselves.We found more ice than we could climb on this trip. There is enough unclimbed ice, that we need to return again next year to finish what we have started.


Kono Wall - Patrick Ormond Photo
This is the first wall we climbed at . We did seven first ascents at this wall. Every climb was WI5 or harder.

Bending Pillar - Dawn Glanc photo
The wind sculpted the ice in very unique ways. Icicles were bent or completely horizontal. You can see the bent, or over hanging nature of the pillar in this photo. Every climb we did was much steeper than we had expected.

Woman Behind Every Tree, WI5 - Jay Smith Photo
This was the last climb we did at the Kono wall. The pillar was barely touching. once established on the pillar, the ice was blue, fat and well bonded to the wall.

Just in time for the family Spring Break vacation, Julbo adds two models to kids’ line

Spring Break is fast approaching, parents, and that means summer is just around the bend as well. Kids will be running through the sprinklers on the lawn, riding their bikes all over the neighborhood, and, hopefully, climbing some mountains. So, they’ll need some eye protection, as bare exposure to UV rays can compromise a child’s maturing eyes.



For Spring Break beach getaways and the approaching summer, arm the kids with a pair of glasses that are durable, stylish and protective of their retinas. Julbo has just added two new models to its ever-expanding kids’ line, the Booba and the Piccolo.



The wraparound shape and wide temples of the Booba (for ages 4 to 6) provide wide coverage, while curved ends hold the frame securely on the ears. Lots of fun color patterns to choose from, as this is the age where savvy kids start to be a little conscious of the cool factor.

Any 8- to 12-year-old would be stoked on the Piccolo because of its sleek and sporty design. Flexible temples make the Piccolo suitable for all face types, and the curved shape is both comfortable and ergonomic.

If you count the baby models the Looping 1, 2, and 3, there are myriad Julbo options for ages newborn to 13 (which about the age when kids insist on picking out their own glasses anyway).
Sunglasses, check; sunscreen, check; sun hat, check. Now the kids are ready for some fun under the sun!

– Christine Rasmussen

Julbo in the Media: Early Spring Coverage

If iRun Far.com's Byron Powell had to throw out all his other sunglasses tomorrow, he says he'd be "heading out for tomorrow's run wearing my Julbo Race"

To read more, click here.

Outside Magazine calls the Julbo Dust a great pair of multisport sunglasses in their Spring Buyer's Guide.

To read more, click here.


The Adirondack Daily News covers Glen Plake and Julbo's involvement in the Adirondack Backcountry Ski Festival.

To read more, click here.

Test your Backcountry Knowledge with the Julbo Glen University Session Backcountry Quiz

You think you know, but how much do you really know?

Students of the Julbo Glen Session University can now check out the second contest, “JGUS 102”, a quiz that tests skiers’ and riders’ backcountry aptitude.



The short multiple choice quiz will touch on topics ranging from altitude sickness to backcountry travel protocol. If you’re a regular backcountry enthusiast, you should ace the mini exam pretty easily – no cheat sheet necessary!
There will also be an “extra credit” option for those who take the quiz and refer their friends to the quiz. These bonus points will be added to students’ overall score for JGUS, furthering their chances to rip big mountain lines with Glen in Chamonix in March 2013.

Also stay tuned to Julbo USA’s Facebook wall for random pop quizzes, for chances to earn extra-extra credit.

To recap how it works: JGUS “scholars” have to enter 4 out of 8 online contests. Every week Julbo awards a pair of goggles to the winner of the contest (the student with the highest score). Three to five of the “top-performing” students will make it to Chamonix and become official Julbo USA pro skiers or riders, receiving Julbo eyewear and support in entering competitions (possibly including travel expenses).
One of those skiers could be you, so click to JGUS 102 now!

– Christine Rasmussen

Julbo in the Media: School's in for the Julbo Glen University Session

The launch of Julbo's Glen University Session has been generating tons of buzz around the internet. Check out some choice coverage below.

About.com: praises Julbo and Glen Plake for their commitment to supporting young talent in ski mountaineering.

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Professor Plake gives Early Ups.com the lowdown on the Glen University Session in this interview preview.

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Mountain Magazine talks with Glen Plake about his mission to encourage young alpinists.

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Mountain Life Magazine covers the inside story on Julbo and Glen Plake's collaborative efforts with the Glen University Session.

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Unnoficial Networks encourages their readers to stay in school and enroll in the Glen University Session.

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We might still be in the thick of it, but not everyone's got their mind on winter. Bicycling Magazine gets stoked for the coming melt with a review of the cycling specialist Dust shades.

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