Skiing new terrain is one of the best things in the world.  That is why we offer a new ski trip every winter, so our returning guests can continue to ski with us, but still enjoy the excitement of skiing new terrain.  Since the guides and owners of NCMG are both skiers and beer drinkers we decided to call these new trips the "Rotating Tap".  Each year we will offer a unique ski trip to a new zone.  Just like a new beer at your favorite pub, you now have something new and exciting to look forward to every year.

Finding the balance......

Gear Review by NCMG owner and guide Josh Cole.

Who:  Presented by American Avalanche Association and sponsors for avalanche workers and recreationalists.

Spring time means many things here in the Methow valley.  Among our favorites are the abundant wildflowers, the opening of Hwy 20, corn skiing at WA pass and rock climbing season.  We will be offering a few of our ever popular Intro to Alpine Rock courses - (ITAR) throughout the summer as a way to introduce new climbers to the spectacular world of Alpine rock climbing that exists at WA pass.  Offered at a substantial reduction too our normal private guiding rates, these small group courses will give you all of the skills necessary to safely ascend of the dramatic spires at Wa

There is nothing better than skiing your favorite local powder stash, except maybe finding a new one.  On Monday the D.O.T crews started plowing the North Cascades Highway and the NCH helicopter flew home for the season.  That means the high mountain skiing opportunities around Mazama are pretty limited right now.  Looks like it's time to travel.  Yesterday I spent some time skiing near Stevens Pass (see the short video below) and Sunday Larry and I head to the Alps for the ski mountaineering season.

The current big change in the weather got me sorting through some of my recent photos. I came across these two shots of the same range of peaks that show the mountains in two very different moods. 

The peaks seen in the photos are (right to left) Mt Ballard, Azurite peak and Golden horn.  This photo was taken as a warm front approached from the west.

This photo shows the same three mountains at sunrise during a beautiful spell of high pressure.

Prolific local first ascensionists Bryan Burdo and NCMG guide Scott Johnston have begun developing yet another new sport climbing area.  This one is up near Washington pass for those scorching hot summer days in the Methow valley, or when you finish up climbing at the pass early and still want a few more pitches of climbing. NCMG guide Matt Walker and I joined Scott up there for a day recently to check out the climbing that he has been raving about.  We were duly impressed with the quality of this granite sport climbing.

 A good knowledge of hauling systems can come in handy as an alpine climber whether it's for crevasse rescue on a high, glaciated peak.....

....or rock rescue on a steep rock climb.