Early Season Sliding and Splitboarding

Since I was a kid I'd get this antsiness once Fall rolled around.  I'd watch and rewind and watch my snowboard videos over and over again.  It was a bit like scratching an itch, the more I watched TB2 or the Transworld Video Magazines the more I wanted to go snowboarding but I couldn't do anything about it.  I just had to wait until Stevens Pass or Alpental opened in late November or early December to finally slide on snow.  After 26 years of snowboarding I still feel the same way, but splitboarding has allowed me to get out earlier and earlier.  I no longer have to wait for the lifts to open.  Once the first snow starts flying its go time.  We usually start with a trip to Rainier in September or October.  Some times you score ripable snow... muir_001_06 Jake and Tyler carving up the Muir Snowfield

And other times you just get plain soaked...

Rain Karakoram puddle stompers

Its always fun no matter what happens.  Splitboarding has a way of slowing my brain down from the standard frantic pace.  The skinning up is always calming, especially on a beautiful day on Mt. Rainier.

Bryce and Forrest Burki navigating the early season snow pack Bryce and Forrest Burki navigating the early season snow pack muir_001_03 The crew hanging out at Camp Muir

Snow will usually start building up in mid-November in our local mountains.  The local ski areas runs have fewer shrubs and trees to cover up, so they are a good option with lower snow coverage.  I always enjoy the early season snow pack because the boulders make fun features to bounce off of all the way down.

Tyler-pillow Tyler bouncing a little mute grabber Screenshot_2013-11-16-17-09-10-1 Mike ripping the boulder field Screenshot_2013-11-16-17-12-40-1Splitboarding has allowed me to get out months before the lifts open and ease pre-season itch. The only problem now is once the first powder days roll in I can't get enough.