First Ski Runs of the Season

I dropped off the family at work and school and took off for the River Run parking lot, and was among the first 100 or so cars there. I slipped on my boots and hiked down to the gondola station. Along the way I ran into Matt from Marketing who asked me a bunch of questions as we walked together to the bottom of the gondola, some of which we had a good laugh about.

I hit the bathroom one last time and then into the non-existent gondola line. Yeah, it was scan and board. No waiting at all at 8:45-ish. On the way up I rode with a professional couple who chatted about many things, most interestingly about my apparent color coordination. Red boots, pants, parka, and accents on my black OR gloves. Sadly, they pointed out, my pink goggles were an affront to all that is good and right with the world.

That pic says it all. Beautiful corduroy snow, freshly groomed. Gorgeous to a normally front-side skier like myself. My feet had grown quite a bit over the past few years due to my higher mileage running and old age I suppose. My boots were a bit cantankerous, if we should be so anthropomorphic. I had to stop and adjust them a few times. Otherwise I cruised Schoolmarm making the most beautiful knees-together turns I'd made in years. On my first run of the season no less.

At the bottom I hopped into the empty Singles line and got on the 3rd gondola after scanning. The trip up was way too long, but the run was very much worth it. I had arranged my day so that I could ski for about an hour, and the hour was up, so I booked it to the car and home, glowing from the morning workout.

Speaking of workout, there's the stats from my Suunto AMbit 2S HR Sport Watch - Red - remember, Red. Red. So beautifully accessorized, am I...

And my phone case is pink, to match the goggles.

Marketing Matt asked how many days I skied last year - 30. He asked how many this year.

"I hope to get in another at least 30. Hopefully more."

You might be wondering what this has to do with Seven Summits Quest? It's among the best cross-training exercises out there, IMHO. You're also training to be cold and miserable and alternate between periods of freezing inactivity and overheated exertion. What better training for Alpine Climbing than skiing?

We can explore that later, but for now, I'm looking forward to a winter of excitement and fun while training.

Remember, Kilian Jornet is a Ski-Mo competitor, as well as an Ultra Runner and Sky Runner. He's on Aconcagua today, as I type this, aiming for the record there. I wish him well.

Seven Summits Quest Series on Amazon

The Seven Summits Quest Series on Amazon has been a persistently good seller from among all my books since I published the first one, Elbrus, My Waterloo.

Seven Summits Quest Series Click to check it out on Amazon.

Note that the book "Die Trying" by Bo Parfet comes up in this search. This book was instrumental in my decision to pursue the Seven Summits Quest and name my series. His experiences on Carstensz foreshadowed mine in several details.

Here are a few of the many 5-Star reviews:

I love the way this author writes! I suspect he keeps people in stitches and on the edge of their seats when he relates his adventures in real life. I love how he can be wry and make fun of things all while being serious and sharing real information. -- Orizaba

An unbelievable account that had me giggling, gasping, and in awe over what Mr. Miske went through. He made it easy to read for someone who knows absolutely nothing about climbing, I appreciated that. (Although I had to Google what "scree" was. Haha) Britney Spears makes an appearance, also some witty commentary that made me just shake my head at what life is like over there. Holy snot! It's an amazing story. Finished it in one sitting while sacrificing sleep. I had to see him home and safe first. :) -- Carstensz

This is really an excellent and enjoyable read. It's a detailed account of the author's attempt at climbing one of the Seven Summits. It's easier to write about one's successes but not always easy to put your failures out there for the world to see. The main point, I believe, is that "failure" isn't necessarily a bad thing. He didn't summit, but he got to experience things that the other 99% of us only dream about. Its pretty remarkable. Recommended for anyone who is considering taking on a mountain of this proportion, there is a lot of useful tidbits in there. Look forward to seeing "Owning Elbrus" from this author someday. -- Elbrus, My Waterloo

I read this an immediately turned around and had my pre-teen boys read it as well. Interspersed with the adventure itself are some great survival in the cold techniques that will make their Klondike outing with the scouts safer. I love that the author chases his dreams with a passion and shared the experience with a friend who was kind of a newbie at this. Their friendship also transpires through the book. -- Elbrus Race 2013

Help me with Volume 5 - South America CLICK HERE

Seven Summits Quest - Volume 5 - South America - Kickstarter Trailer from Charles Miske on Vimeo.

Aconcagua Logistics-Only Expedition Itinerary

If you've been wanting to go to Aconcagua, but have been scared away by high prices, this is the trip for you.

If you've been wanting to test your own organizational and team skills in a high altitude foreign expedition, this is the trip for you.

If you are strong, fit, and have your own gear, this is the trip for you.

With this logistics-only option, you still get the benefits of the full support trip down low, but once you leave base camp at Plaza de Mulas, you're able to climb this mountain on your own. You can truly say that you earned it.

Plaza de Mulas Base Camp on Aconcagua

Itinerary for the Logistics-Only Aconcagua Expedition:

Day 1: Arrive Mendoza, transport to hotel.
Day 2: Obtain permit, groceries, transport to Penitentes, pack mule bags
Day 3: Transport to Horcones trail head. Trek (6 miles) to Confluencia. Check in with Rangers.
Day 4: Local acclimatization hike. Overnight in Confluencia.
Day 5: Trek (10 miles) to Plaza de Mulas. Check in with Rangers. Overnight at PdM.
Day 6: Local acclimatization hike. Check in with Rangers. Overnight at PdM.
Day 7: Ferry loads to Camp 1. Overnight at PdM.
Day 8: Ferry loads to Camp 1. Overnight at PdM.
Day 9: Move to Camp 1. Overnight Camp 1.
Day 10: Ferry loads to Camp 2. Overnight Camp 1.
Day 11: Ferry loads to Camp 2. Overnight Camp 1.
Day 12: Move to Camp 2. Overnight Camp 2.
Day 13: Ferry loads to Camp 3. Overnight Camp 2.
Day 14: Move to Camp 3. Overnight Camp 3.
Day 15: Summit Day #1. Overnight Camp 2 or 3.
Day 16: Summit Day #2. Overnight Camp 2 or 3.
Day 17: Descend to PdM. Overnight PdM.
Day 18: Descend (16 miles) to Horcones. Transport to Penitentes. Overnight Penitentes.
Day 19: Arrive Mendoza. Overnight hotel.
Day 20: Depart Mendoza.

If you want more information, including services with the package and the amazingly low prices, please check it out on my Adventure Blog Page CLICK HERE or make deposit below if you're ready to go.

$400.00 Deposit Due Now. Pay with my PayPal merchant account, no fees to you. Pay with Credit Card, PayPal or E-check. Your deposit reserves your space on this amazing yet economical alternative to Aconcagua that lets you take more responsibility for your own success.