Ladys and gentlemen, I bring you the 9 month update

I know you all have been holding your breath for this moment, hmmm yeah. Rest assured your ACL recovery update has come. Rehab is coming along about as good I as I could expect. Would I like it to be better? Yes. But realistically I am doing well. Here’s the basics of where I’m at:

- Range of motion = full
- No pain or swelling since probably month 4
- Hitting the weights at the gym regularly 3 times a week
- MTB’d a bunch late summer, felt great
- Have not been doing any jump type exercises for a few months now, probably should be
- Can run with no pain, 4 miles is about as far as I’ve gone
- Packed part of my elk out at ~70lb down a steep and slippery slope = solid
- Fell down many times in many contorted ways this hunting season = solid
- Leg workout, some numbers for comparison sake: Smith Machine squats 3 sets of 16 (185, 225 and 255lbs), 60 lunges with 30lb dumbbells, Seated leg press 270 3 sets of 18, Single leg press 140….lots of other stuff, but this is stuff I want to track.

All in all the biggest thing that I feel that I have improved is my confidence. Although I still have a ways to go before I’ll feel bomber on the skis, it’s a good start. I know that I can fall and its not going to blow out on me. I still have a noticeable muscle deficit in the leg that was operated on. I would guess that % wise its maybe 90% of the size of the normal leg. Thanks again to everyone that had encouraging words.

Today was the last day of deer and elk season (at least for the areas that didn't get the 3 week extension). My lazy ass couldn't muster the motivation to get out of bed this morning. However, in my dreams this is how it could have gone down. Maybe next year?

Eric Pollard

LINE Eric Pollard 08 Self Edit from Line Skis on Vimeo.


Some great shots and edits from Eric Pollard that turned out to be well worth watching. From my armchair view I never had taken EP that seriously. Always seeming too new school for a semi-old schooler like myself. However the stuff in this is super smooth and not too jerky on the ole' eyes. If you don't have patience, at least check out :40, :50, 1:50, 3:00 and 5:08

* self edit of his 07-08 season with his Nimbus Independent crew.

Snowbowl pass pick up

Lack of snow continues to be the general weather theme lately. We seemed to have a few shots that got everyone thinking the beginning of the white was near, but alas it has waned. The ebb and flow on the snowline has been painful. I'm ready for it to drop to the valley floor and settle in for the winter. Looks like we might be waiting a bit according to NWS:

LONG RANGE FORECAST MODELS ARE PROJECTING A CHANGE IN THE OVERALL WEATHER PATTERN DURING THE EARLY TO MIDDLE PORTION OF NEXT WEEK. ...................EFFECTIVELY OPEN UP NORTHWESTERLY FLOW OVER MONTANA AND IDAHO...RESULTING IN AN INCREASING CHANCE FOR SNOW DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER.

On the other hand good news for pass holders. Here's the message from the Snowbowl website: IF WE DO NOT OPEN ON THE WEEKEND AFTER THANKSGIVING (NOV 28-30) we will be at these shops to distribute passes and take photos.

DATE LOCATION HOURS
November 28 , 2008 Friday Gull Ski 1pm-6pm
November 29, 2008, Saturday Bob Wards 1pm-6pm
November 30, 2008, Sunday The Trail Head 1pm-6pm

A few shots from years past just to remember that it will come

BASE Jumping into a cave in China

Shane McConkey, Miles Daisher and Chuck Berry of the Red Bull Air Force recently pioneered their way into the heart of China. Here it is, BASE jumping session at one of China's natural wonders, a giant cave depression. These guys crack me up, everything they do is a joke. Living the dream, but a dangerous dream eh? This puppy runs ~ 9 minutes, so grab a beer.

Whistler Pillow lines

This is some quality pillow action. A few unbelievable lines being absolutely worked over in Whistler. You can find more over at Salomon Freeski. Mark Abma and Mike Douglas ripping it up..............be patient it takes a while to load.