A message from Nathan

As I prepare to transition to foot travel, ending the first phase of the SPS project, I am happy to say that I have a very successful and enjoyable two months of ski mountaineering to look back on. The snow conditions have varied wildly, from knee deep powder to glazed blue ice to horribly deep, 3D sastrugi. Temperatures have displayed similar extremes, ranging from stiflingly hot as the Sierra sun beats down, bright white snow turning the world into a convection oven, to bitter cold with howling winds threatening to blow me right off the ridge tops.

I’ve seen painfully beautiful sunrises, the soaring granite walls of the Eastern Sierra escarpment exploding into an awe inspiring display of alpenglow. This beauty is rivaled only by the flaming beams of sunset, shadows of peaks stretching long across the valley, the classic “Sierra Wave” lenticular clouds reflecting the setting sun’s final rays. I have enjoyed the blissful solitude and quiet of the mountains in winter, reveling in the simple joy of moving through a clean, unblemished landscape, leaving behind the sweeping curves of ski tracks in soft snow.

Now, the season is changing. Creeks are swollen with spring runoff, patches of alpine meadows seeing the sun for the first time in half a year. The Sierra are waking up, and with each new day I see more wildlife, hear birds chirping with growing vigor. The morning breeze sometimes carries a pleasant hint of warmth. Thus begins a wondrous period of growth and life in the mountains. I am eager to continue my journey, now with Travis, drawing strength from the challenge of the mountains and from the beauty of springtime.

The current plan is for Nathan to hang up the skis after he returns from his current ski tour. Then, on Monday, April 18, Travis will start his clock and the two of them will do the bulk of the list together.

Now and in the coming days, you'll notice some changes to the website to accommodate Nathan and Travis having separate timers, stats, etc.