Everyone in high school called me “hoos.” A simple
abbreviation for Mehus, it took off in no time. Many parents and ski friends
only knew me by that name, and no one knew who Erik was. While I embraced the
nickname, I didn’t bring it with me to college. Until those kids soon figured
out that “hoos” was also their name of choice.
Two years ago, on a trip to Moab for some camping and
adventuring, my friend Amanda was amazed at my ability to cook breakfast on a
camp stove. This picture had me tagged as “manhus,” and that iteration stuck.
We will see where it goes next!
Teton Pass provides some amazing hike and skin accessed
backcountry terrain. Mt. Glory has a very nicely set boot-pack, with just over
1650’ elevation gain and about 45 minutes for most. Those with non-human lung
capacity crush it in 30 minutes, we will see where I stand come April. Been
skiing a lot with Jeff Byl lately, Michigan transplant, co-worker and all
around awesome guy.
We
skied the East Fork of Coal Creek, a westerly aspect with pretty thin snow
and mellow terrain, but nice enough snow I was still able to milk a few faceshots. The luge
track out provides some fun as well. After skiing the upper section, the path
winds along Coal Creek until reaching the trailhead, where you hitch back up.
We got picked up by a 30’ commercial delivery truck, which has to be the
coolest rig I’ve gotten a ride in. Guy drove from Bozeman to deliver two
windows and a door to some construction site. Welcome to Jackson!
View from Teton Pass
Awesome hut at the top of Glory, great for those windy days
Jeff enjoys sub zero temps + wind chill
Looking north up the Teton Range
Had a failed attempt to ski Taylor Mountain yeseterday, where
we had to bail about halfway up the skin on the SE ridge. With a 35° temperature inversion, we
were definitely in the 40s when we called it, and higher elevations would have
been even warmer. Obviously the aspect didn’t help with the warmth, but with
all the high pressure lately, this was the first day with such high temps and that extreme of an inversion. Sadly I think this line will have to wait until
springtime, but I'm super excited to get back to it.
Also, I'm working on getting more action shots! My photography is a work in progress.
Skinning up
More terrain across Highway 22
Jeff really, really likes Alpine Trekkers. Makes me wish I still had mine :)
This skin-track thankfully had some grip, it would be impossible when slick
So I have received a lot of life advice the past year with
graduating college and becoming a “real” adult. The one reoccurring theme was
take time now to play, adventure, travel, do whatever makes you the happiest.
Some of the most successful people I know spent years as a forest ranger,
bohemian backpacker, ski bum, hippy, whatever. Those who didn’t wish they had.
I don’t live in fear of much except the though of waking up when I’m 50 and
thinking I should have taken the time to play when I was younger.
Here I
am starting my first winter in Jackson Hole, WY, and feel extremely lucky.
Serving at Stiegler’s lets me ski everyday and work nights. Just picked up a
new baby this fall (tentatively named Gunther), so between that, touring and
Teton Village the pow quotient should be quite high this year. This blog, while
it may be self promoting in some ways, is to document my adventures and good
times, and hopefully share some stoke with friends and family.
A few shots to get things started, and more to come!
