Mammoth has been more than I could have imagined in most aspects. The winter has been EPIC with the 2nd most snow in Mammoth's history and currently the best snow in North America. We've got a base from 8 to 16 feet up to the summit. Luckily I've had the opportunity to ride in powder, get stuck in some trees, and try to keep up with Kathleen racing down the groomers.
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| Gettin' some snow! |
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| At the summit with the Minarets in the background. |
The day we arrived we got jobs at Mountain Center working for Mammoth Mountain. We didn't know what exactly we were getting ourselves into but I couldn't be happier. This job has taught me an ample amount of information about sports I adore. Most days I spend in the Family Center and Demo Shop setting people up on this season's newest skis and boots. Technically I'm a cashier and rental technician.
Work is often accompanied by sweet ride breaks which correlated to lunches on the gondola and 2ish hours on the mountain. Luckily I have some of the best co-workers and bosses around who hook it up. Usually I'll ride with one of them during the day and then we'll all hang out in the evenings. Happy Hours are the way to go in Mammoth and when your bosses join you rolling brown outs are likely to be had.
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| Mammoth Margaritas from the boss man. |
During the holidays we were super busy and the mountain was packed. Ride breaks were non-existent and unwanted. Kathleen and I ended up working 7 days a week and on our first day off I came down with with a brutal case of the flu. But now that it's slowed down our days off are spend on the mountain, rock climbing in Bishop, or applying for jobs. I am psyched to get back to Bishop, Owen's River Gorge, and try my hand at ice climbing at Lee Vining and June.
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| Climbing on our days off with Brett. |
Surprisingly I'm falling in love with Mammoth and as of now I am planning to be back here next winter...possibly even for good. Everyone keeps raving about the summers so I can't wait! Plus Tuolumne and Yosemite are right around the corner. Who knows what's to come but I'm stoked we stopped here. Mammoth has made a lasting impression and opened lots of opportunities.
As much as we dig it here the road is beckoning and we'll continue our journey in a mere two weeks. As of now our plans look like California for a week then to Arizona, Hueco Tanks, Ouray, and Salt Lake City. We'll be meeting friends along the way and hopefully the fundraising will take off again. Cheers ya'll!
