4-9-10 Welcome to Jackson Hole

Despite last weeks heavy dose of winter pow (much enjoyed all week by backcountry riders, myself included), spring is here. Spring is a time of new life, where plants and animals alike move to retake what are now distant memories of the past summer. Last Sunday (April 4, 2010), I packed up my car and headed north to Jackson Hole, WY for a new beginning at the Teton Science School. I have not been the only migrant and many more are to come. In the last week, Mountain Bluebirds have arrived to their summer homes and dart about from fence posts, looking for their first meals. Below, Uinta Ground Squirrels, just awoken from their long winter naps, scurry about with their young. Driving down from a ski on Teton pass today (ever the one to deny spring and pray for powder) I found Osprey had returned to their nests along the Snake River, and watched trio of Sandhill cranes glide motionless across the dusk sky.

I have come to the Teton Science School to learn how to better understand and share the natural world with others.

With the closing of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort last weekend, many of Jackson’s snow riders practice their own migrations. Some head south for a mud season beach retreat, others across the country where they work tirelessly over the summer to stock up their monetary larders for the next ski season. To migrate here during this time seems to run contrary to ski town logic, but I could not be more excited. After all, it is spring and much more growth awaits.

The Tetons from Mormon Row

Skiing with Amy, friend of Karina, and her trusty hyper companion on Teton Pass.

Alpen Glow covers the Gros Venture range from Teton Pass

Cherene atop Glory bowl.

TSS interns Liz, Vanessa, and Finn on their day off.

TSS Jackson Campus

Name games with Pura Vida kids before heading into Grand Teton National Park

It's SPRING in the Tetons! Wait, just kidding back to winter!