Wolves to be Killed in massive numbers

Wolves have been de-listed from the Endangered Species List and the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are assuming responsibility for management of the species. The grey wolf was reintroduced to the Rockies in the mid 90's after we decimated the population out of fear and greed. Now they are destined for more killing by the public in planned hunts.
A gray wolf. (Credit: Tracy Brooks/ Mission Wolf/ USFWS)

The Jughandle Lady

The hut is nestled into the tree line directly west and below the southern nob of the mountain known as Lady Bug. These photos were taken by Eric Pfeifer on a ski tour with Josh who is the owner/creator of the Jughandle Backcountry Silo. Custom bunk beds, a wood stove and insulated walls round out the rustically cozy accommodations perched on Jug Mtn's flank.

Elke and the Boys

Yes Elke (elk-ey) is her name and she's a little bundle of joy. With sharp teeth and a rambunctious attitude she keeps the boys on their feet. 

Larry Craig Publicly Chastised

The Senate Ethics Committee officially rebuked Larry yesterday for soliciting sex in the men's bathroom at the Minneapolis airport. Fortunately, in my opinion, they did stop short of requesting his resignation. While this is a satisfying development for someone who has lied and cheated Idahoans and catered to corporate special interests for many years, I just hope it doesn't push him over the edge to resign. I think the Dems will have a much better chance to gain his seat if they don't have to run against Governor Butch Otter's appointed replacement.

A Snowmobile for George

A Snowmobile for George
is playing in Missoula at the Wilma Theatre

Tuesdsay Feb 19th

**This post is quoted with permission from the filmmaker's recent press release**

"A Snow Mobile for George" is a rambunctious road trip that collects the stories of fishermen, cowboys and firemen who have to face the consequences of environmental de-regulation by the Bush Administration. Starting with a question over the filmmaker's used two-stroke snowmobile engine, the documentary uncovers the political strategy and rationale behind a massive sell-off of public resources.

But if close ties between corporations and the Bush White House don’t surprise you, the film’s approach may. “A Snow Mobile for George” begins modestly as a one-man, one-machine road film that simply asks why rules to clean up a smoky off-road machine got shelved. With no presumption of guilt or blame, filmmaker Todd Darling tows his family snowmobile across the United States What starts off as a loopy personal quest steadily morphs as this petroleum Huck Finn takes the viewer to the sites of more serious environmental changes.

Told with a dry sense of humor, the film traces rule changes back to key Administration players. On this coast-to-coast journey, the filmmaker goes to the Klamath River along the drought stricken California/Oregon border where politically inspired rule changes by the Administration helped cause the nation’s largest fish die-off in 2002. A thousand miles East, in Wyoming, he discovers a range war between ranchers and oil-companies that started when political appointees in the Interior Department suppressed clean water rules for natural gas drilling. and persists in asking that question. The film’s humble point of departure gives little hint as to its ultimate destination.

And finally, he and the snowmobile roll into lower Manhattan. There he meets New YorkWorld Trade Center. firemen, Wall Street workers and residents worried about their health and their lives because White House environmental officials ordered the EPA to side-step toxic waste protocols in the collapse of the

The common thread among these stories is de-regulation – the notion that common citizens benefit when “the government gets off their back”. But the film uncovers how the Administration worked efficiently to match up the goals of select industries with the political demands of the White House at the expense of the little guy.

Through out the journey the original question about the resurrection of the smoky two-stroke snowmobile engine becomes the tragic-comic relief. Bouncing from smog checks in Salt Lake City, buffalo in Yellowstone, college engineering contests in Michigan, and lobbyists in Washington, viewers discover that the snowmobile has some powerful allies. And oddly enough, this seemingly obscure off-road vehicle pioneered one of the Administration’s most sophisticated computer-based political strategies.

At times beautiful, at times wacky, “A Snow Mobile for George” takes the viewer on an American odyssey that poses thought-provoking questions about the deterioration of the public good.

I encourage you to go see this film and show support of its environmental message. For more information about the film please email snomo4geo@gmail.com or visit http://www.asnowmobileforgeorge.com/.

Back to My Roots

It was an unbelievable weekend in Steamboat of seeing old friends, making new connections and skiing in the copious amounts of snow that they've had this season.

This is me talking with my high school geography teacher about the route plans for the day on Hahn's Peak in North Routt. Jim had surgery on his shoulder a few weeks ago and is already out skiing the bc like it's nothing!

Here is Chris enjoying some turns in the Northern Glades.

On the way back to Columbine we made a quick loop up and over the Porphyry Ridge which was a great treed aspect with good pitch for our final turns. It's the knob in the background of this photo.

It's hard to beat a good day in Columbine on Hahn's Peak, especially for me since its the mountain where I learned how to telemark and respect the backcountry.

Wowa

Greenville Tour

Greenville Mine Road, Routt National Forest, CO