On Dec. 2oth I flew back to MN for a quick week of Christmas with the family. My plane didn't leave till dinner time so I pulled a sunrise hike up Mill D Fork to play in the new snow.

The run out, back to the car...
The 'black curtain of death' over taking the airport and crashing into the mountains (which went on to dump 18 inches of snow in 12 hrs up there), I took this photo out the window of Salt Lake International Airport right when the they were anouncing over the intercom that the FAA put a freeze on all air trafic in and out of SLC until further notice.

NEW TERRAIN! (for me at least...), up to Portor Fork of Millcreek Canyon.
Nearing the top. John up high right on the skin track.

Me and Gwen
Merry Christmas

Denver, good friend and roommy, was nice enough to offer up a room in her home to me for a bit. This pic was taken during her cookie and alcohol party....

Jake and I went to Little Water Peak, the sheltered snow was fantastic.
Jake
Setting the skin out...

Upclose...backside of Mt. Superior.

Mike

Days after my arrival in Utah, it put down 8 inches in the valley, and more in the mountains...a welcome back gift of sorts...
First outing in Silver Fork

Second outing in Days Fork

The drive from MN to UT looks nice here, but trust me, it was horrible.
After getting side swiped by a lady in Nebraska, and hellish dust and wind storms in Wyoming, I arrived in Fort Collins, Colorado....ready for a beer at Odells Brewing Co.....
Downtown Fort Collins

Well, I'm back in the states. Smiles all around the table.
Someone up stairs knew I needed a good shot of snow and didn't hesitate to provide right when I got back to Minnesota. I've never been more content shoveling for three hours....
A deck shot over thanksgiving from the cabin up north on a frozen lake.
Me and my bro out in the town...

It was soon time to leave MN and head west to Utah for yet another new chapter....