 Ski Tips I've Learned as a BeginnerThis is our first year skiing everrrrr! Yes you heard me right. Since Nick and I moved to Utah in March we knew we wanted to learn how to ski. Nick grew up snowboarding but he wanted to try out skiing with me since I really wanted to learn.
So far we’ve gone 7 times now (we’re trying to go at least once a week). The first three were lessons and now we’re off on our own; exploring the mountain. Well just part of it for now since we’re still newbies! We’ve successfully gone down Becker and Wildcat runs and have only done the Needles run once but I definitely had quite a few falls on that one haha! Nicks confidence is high and I know he’ll be doing blue runs soon and I may be a little slower than him but I’m still getting down and my confidence is getting much better. I’m hoping to try some blues next time around with him. Some things I’ve learned as a newbie so far are… 1. Stay forward on your skis as much as possible, the moment you lean back is when you lose control and get off balance 2. Don’t stick your butt back! I grew up playing spots where you’re in a squat position a lot of the time but in skiing you want bent knees and tilting forward not down. If the weights back, you’ll lose balance. 3. You really need to understand where to put your pressure on your feet when you’re parallel turning and carving. Knowing when to put more pressure on your heel, big or little toe depending on which way you’re going. 4. Understand how your knees turn in to the mountain to help get you on edge too. Your knees will go in towards the mountain but your upper body will go against it to keep you balanced. 5. When you’re parallel turning your weight goes to the outside ski. 6. Keep your upper body facing down the mountain while your legs and hips do all the twisting and moving. 7. I found that pole plants were super beneficial to stay focused and not get to scarred of the steepness. Have a strong pole plant to take you into the next turn is crucial and sets you up for a great transition. 8. Take a lesson or two! We got great drills from this to help our technique. I hope these tips help you if you are new to the sport! I know they definitely helped me and I know the more I practice the better I will become. Happy skiing y'all! XOXO Kimmy
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Do You Know What this Chart Means? When I first moved to Utah, I knew there were avalanches that happened throughout the winter and into spring. What I didn’t know is that this chart is something you absolutely need to look at pretty much everyday if you plan to go out into the mountains.
Luckily, I heard about UTAVY through other people online and now have educated myself about avalanches, warning signs, how to stay safe, what to do if you get caught in one, what causes them, etc. (I highly recommend taking an Avalanche safety course online!) Reading and understanding these charts helps you to know where avalanche risks are low-high in every area on the mountain! I live in Ogden, UT so I can go to the charts specifically for my area and read up about the avalanche risks everyday. This blew my mind! I had no idea how seriously they took it here but I get it! Unfortunately, we have had fatalities from avalanches here so it’s something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I’m so grateful this state takes the time to do this everyday to help keep us safe. So if you’re in Utah, or any state that has avalanche risks, I would highly recommend checking your avalanche reports daily in the winter and spring! Be safe out there and have fun! XOXO Kimmy p.s. For those who live in Utah save www.utahavalanchecenter.org Do You Know the Signs of Frostnip and Frostbite?My husband and I went out to ski on a cold, brisk morning. We left the house and the temps said 8 degrees. We continued to drive towards the mountain and the degrees kept dropping little by little. We had our warm thermal layers on, wool socks, sweat shirt, gloves, face mask, snow coat and snow pants, helmet, and goggles.
The sun was out and we were hoping it would warm up a bit more and we would also warm up with all the skiing. We got in our first 4 runs and they went smoothly and we didn’t have issues with the cold. We took a break and went inside to relax a little, catch our breath, grab some water, and warm up a little more. At the time we were doing great so we figure we would get in a couple more runs before heading home. I didn’t notice at the time but my fingers were starting to get a bit more cold than normal the second time we went out. I reached for my hot hands to warm them up and put them in my gloves while we rode the lift back up again. I have gloves and not mittens so I could not keep the hot hand near my finger tips while we skied. We got to the top and I took my hot hand out and headed down the mountain. No joke, within 5-10 minutes I couldn’t feel my fingertips, my hands were numb/tingling, and I felt like I had zero grip on my poles. I had to stop on the side, take my gloves off and grab for my hot hand immediately. I put my hands in my pockets and held onto the hot hands till I got some feeling back. My fingertips were so red when I took my gloves off and what I didn’t realize was I was in that stage of frostnip. I couldn’t believe how quickly I could develop it even with my gloves on and holding my poles tightly. I made it down to the bottom and went straight inside the lodge to warm up and then I went to the bathroom to put some warm water over them to slowly heat them back up. I now know I definitely need some different gloves/mittens that can actually deal with extreme temps and or hold a hot hand in them while I ski. This was definitely the coldest day we had ever skied on so I learned my lesson about how much extra gear you may need to accommodate the conditions. Thus, I want to make sure we know all the signs so we can react quickly: The first signs of frostnip (the mildest form of frostbite) include: • Skin turning red or pale • A tingling or numb sensation • Cold, firm skin If exposure continues, frostbite can develop, with signs such as: • Skin becoming white, gray, or bluish • Waxy or hard skin texture • Increasing numbness or loss of feeling • Swelling or blistering in severe cases Early detection is key, if you notice these signs, get to a warm place and gradually rewarm the affected area. Stay safe out there! XOXO Kimmy 8 Elements that Make a Hike DifficultThere are several elements that contribute to the difficulty of a hike. The 8 listed below are what can make a hike more challenging than others. Take these into consideration when deciding what type of hike you want to go on.
 Lightning Safety 101Lightning, with its bright flashes and loud roars, is a powerful force of nature that can be mesmerizing and terrifying all at the same time. While its beauty is magnificent, the destruction it can cause should never be underestimated. Each year, lightning causes deaths, injuries, and significant property damage around the world. In this article, we are going to discuss the importance of lightning safety and provide tips to help you stay safe during a storm especially if you are outdoors.
What is lighting? Lighting is a discharge of electricity in the atmosphere. It occurs when electrical imbalances within a storm cloud, or between a cloud and the ground are released (positive and negative charge connect). These discharges can be between clouds, within a cloud, or from a cloud to the ground. What are the different types of lightning? There are three different types of lightning which include cloud to ground lightning , cloud to cloud lightning, and intra-cloud lightning. What is the most dangerous type of lightning for humans? The most dangerous type is the cloud to ground lightning, which accounts for a significant number of injuries and fatalities. What kind of injuries could you suffer from being struck by lightning? The different injuries that you could suffer from are electrical injuries that affect the nervous system, heart and muscles, burns, neurological effects, hearing and vision problems, respiratory issues, musculoskeletal injuries, psychological trauma, or secondary injuries such as falls when struck. 8 Lightning Safety Tips: 1. Stay Informed: Before you head out, research and look up the weather conditions to keep an eye on the forecast. You can even set alerts on your phone for when severe weather pops up! 2. Seek Shelter: If a thunderstorm rolls in, head indoors to keep you safe. This will be your safest location from lightning. Please avoid open fields, high ground, and isolated trees or structures since that can make you more vulnerable to lightning strikes. 3. Lightning Safety for the Indoors: When you are indoors, stay away from water, plumbing, and electrical appliances during a storm. Lightning can travel through plumbing and electrical systems that could harm you if you are using them. Also, stay away from windows, doors, and porches which can be struck by lighting too. 4. Lightning Safety for the Outdoors: If you are outside when a storm rolls in, avoid open fields, tall objects, bodies of water, metal objects, picnic shelters, small structures, and trees. The best position to stay safe is to crouch down with your feet close together, minimizing contact with the ground. DO NOT LIE FLAT. 5. The 30-30 Rule: To estimate the storm's distance, count the seconds between a lightning flash and the thunder. Every 5 seconds represents 1 mile in distance. If the time is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. Wait 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before resuming outdoor activities. 6. Lightning Safety for Water Activities: Refrain from swimming, boating, or engaging in water activities during thunderstorms. Bodies of water are dangerous places during storms, as lighting can strike the water's surface and cause harm to individuals. If you are out swimming or boating, get to shore or a safe location as soon as possible when you hear thunder or see lightning strike an area. 7. Lightning Safety for Sports and Recreation: Refrain from outdoor sports and recreation during thunderstorms. If you are caught outside when you are participating in a sport, go to your emergency shelter immediately and follow the 30-30 rule before resuming activities. If you do not have an emergency shelter near by, follow the lightning safety tips for outdoors. 8. Safety in Vehicles: If you are driving during a thunderstorm, stay in your vehicle. The metal frame offers protection from the lightning. Avoid parking under trees or tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. By understanding how lightning works, what types of lightning occurs, and how to stay safe during thunderstorms, will help reduce the amount of fatalities, injuries, and accidents caused by lightning. Remember when thunder roars, go indoors! I hope these tips help you out the next time you go outside to hike, camp, backpack, kayak, stand up paddle board, etc. Avalanche Safety 101Witnessing and being in an Avalanche can be quite shocking. Avalanches are so spontaneous and they can go from 0 mph to over 100 mph within seconds. They are super dangerous and can be life threatening. Yet, there are ways you can reduce your chances of encountering them and ways to survive if you do get caught in one. Let's learn about how we can be ready and prepared for any Avalanche striking. How does an Avalanche occur? An Avalanche occurs when a layer of snow collapses and slides down a slope such as a mountain or hill. What causes an Avalanche? Snowstorm or wind direction, heavy snowfall, human activity, vibrations or movements, steep slops, warm temperatures, or different stacked layers of snow and ice. What angle do most Avalanches happen at? Most Avalanches occur between 22 degrees and 55 degrees for the slope angle, and at the highest around 35 to 36 degrees. When do Avalanches occur the most? Usually around the spring and winter when snowfall is the highest. What are the top causes of death from an Avalanche? Asphyxia is the top cause of death from an Avalanche which is a slow form of carbon dioxide poisoning, and then trauma from the fall and hypothermia. How can you avoid an Avalanche? Avoid hiking after a storm, avoid slopes with pitches greater than 25 degrees, stay to the windward sides of ridges, avoid treeless slopes, watch for cracks or slabs, listen for hollow or thumping noises as you walk, and dig snow pits to be on the lookout of weak layers. What devices can you use to save yourself if you get caught in one? Avalanche transceiver, Snow Probe, Snow Shovel, Safeback SBX, or Airbag Pack. Make sure to practice using any of these before hand so you know how to handle it so when the time comes you are ready! What is the survival rate for an Avalanche? If a victim can be rescued within 18 minutes, the survival rate is around 91 percent. Then between 19 to 35 minutes the survival rate drops to around 34 percent. After 1 hour, only 1 in 3 victims are found alive in the avalanche. So if you witness one, and see someone get caught in it. It is crucial to spot the victim and tell the rescue team as soon as possible! Avalanches are no joke! So I would recommend taking an Avalanche safety course if you plan on going into the backcountry or just want to be more educated if you are new to hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, or snowboarding in the winter. You never know when one could pop up, but if you know the signs ahead of time then you will have a safe experience on the mountain! Sources: National Geographic. Avalanche. Website: www.nationalgeographic.org. July 25, 2023. REI. Avalanche Safety and Gear Check. Website: www.rei.com. November 24, 2020. Simon Fraser University. Causes of Avalanche. Website: www.MtKalmont.com. Altitude Illness and How to Handle ItFor those who want to take their hiking to the next level, climbing to new heights is usually the next goal. Summiting high peaks is thrilling, exciting, confidence boosting, and an adrenaline rush. Yet, there are some things you need to be aware of as you go higher up in elevation. One of the biggest risk when going to new altitudes is coming down with altitude illness. This article is going to break down the myths, facts, and overall information of what you need to know about altitude illness, how to avoid getting it, and what to do if you come down with it. Altitude Illness Myth: Altitude illness is due to the lack of oxygen Fact: Altitude illness is due to the decrease in partial pressure of oxygen as altitude increases which causes hypobaric hypoxia. What Happens to Your Body at High Altitude? You sleep less, breathing becomes faster, blood becomes thicker, heart rates up, and you urinate more often. (These are not symptoms, this is a natural response that the body goes through when you go to higher elevations) How Does Altitude Illness Happen? When you ascend too quickly and your body doesn't have enough time to adjust to these new pressure changes. When can Altitude Illness Kick in? Anytime you are over 8,000 ft. in elevation can you start to have altitude illness. What are the types of Altitude Illness? Acute Mountain Sickness- The most mild form and can consist of headache, muscle aches, nausea, and dizziness High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)- Buildup of fluid on the lungs that could lead to death High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)- Buildup of fluid on the brain that could lead to death Symptoms of Altitude Illness: Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Loss of appetite, Fatigue, Problems with Sleeping, and Shortness of Breath HAPE and HACE Symptoms: Inability to walk, Severe Headache, Vomiting, Tightening Chest, Confusion, Shortness of Breath, Cough, Hallucinations, Extreme Fatigue, Fever, Blue or Gray lips and fingernails, and Coma How to Avoid it from Happening: The best way to reduce your chances of developing altitude illness is by acclimatization. This helps your body adjust slowly to the pressure changes as you climb higher. Here are some tips for Acclimatization:
What if your symptoms aren't getting better? Descend down the mountain and depending on how severe your symptoms are get medical attention right away. What do you do if you can't descend right away? There are certain medications that can help with your symptoms such as acetazolamide, ibuprofen, dexamethasone, supplemental oxygen, oral nifedipine, and inhaled salmeterol. Each of these medications help your body with a certain symptom so please talk to your doctor or a medical professional so you know what to take. *For more information, speak with your doctor so you can be prepared if you are going into higher elevations and want to prevent altitude illness.* Sources: Felson, Sabrina. Altitude Sickness: What to Know. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/altitude-sickness. October 30, 2021.  Avalanche Peak at 10,568 ft! Top Tips to Hike in the ColdMost people probably shake their heads when asked if they would hike in the cold, snowy terrain. But I say, "Lets' go!!". I know hiking in the snow can seem a bit daunting, but it can also be some of the coolest memories and moments if you have the right gear. Below our my top tips to hike in the cold. Let's turn that mindset around so you can enjoy the outdoors all year round!
Clothing: 1. Wear layers! Depending on how cold it is for the top portion, I recommend wearing at least a underlayer, fleece, coat, and if need be a shell covering. For the bottoms, I recommend a insulated legging and then a hiking pant over it. 2. Wear waterproof and insulated hiking boots so your feet don't get wet and cold 3. Wear synthetic or wool socks so your feet don't get wet and cold too 4. Wear insulated hats, gloves, and grab a neck gaiter for your neck and face 5. Bring handwarmers and feet warmers if you do start to get more cold 6. Sunglasses since the snow tends to reflect a lot of light 7. Snowshoes or crampons 8. Trekking poles with attachments for snow Food: 1. Pack water bottles since the tubing with your water bladders may freeze up 2. Pack snacks that won't be hard to eat when cold such as trail mix, candy bars, cheese, and chocolate. Always keep your food close to your body so they don't get too hard either. 3. If you only have a water bladder, try using an insulate tube to prevent freezing, or sipping often and blowing into the tube to keep warm. 4. Pack hot tea or hot chocolate in a insulated bottle to sip on to keep warm *It is easy to forget to eat and drink in the cold so make sure you remind your hiking buddy to check in with each other or set a reminder on your phone* General Gear: Go back to our article on what to bring on a hike. Terrain: 1. Avoid hiking on icy areas 2. Be familiar with your route 3. Be avalanche aware and prepared 4. Watch for wildlife 5. Be comfortable with turning around if you don't feel well, the weather changes, the trail changes, etc. By being prepared will help reduce your chances of developing hypothermia, or frostbite. If you or your hiking buddy start to show signs of either try to get to a warm area, remove wet clothing, try drinking hot liquids, and if the person continues to get worse please go to a hospital! These tips are here to support you and give you the confidence you need to get out all year round. Happy hiking y'all! Tips to Hike in the HeatSummer is a time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather! But, if you live in any southern state you know it can be very hard to enjoy the summer with temps hitting over 100 degrees. I wanted to share some tips to help you hike in the heat so you don't get heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, cramping, or sun burn. There are definitely ways to still enjoy your hike even in the midst of the heat.
Clothing: 1. Hat 2. Sunglasses 3. Looses fitting clothes and light colored clothes 4. Neck gaiter 5. Wool or synthetic socks 6. UPF-rated clothing 7. Wear longer sleeve and pants for more sensitive skin groups Food and Water: 1. Bring more water than you think you need: Drink at least 1/2 liter of water per hour but it may be more depending on how strenuous your hike is, your body, and the weather conditions. 2. If water isn't hydrating you enough bring electrolyte drinks, or electrolyte powders/tablets to throw into your water 3. For snacks, I would suggest something that wouldn't melt like nuts, seeds, or dry fruit Gear: 1. Go back to our article on what to bring on a hike 2. Specifically with the sunblock: Lather up and reapply every 2 hours Terrain: 1. Only go out for a short period of time if it is in the middle of the day 2. Try to find shaded areas to go under 3. Hike in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid peak sun hours 4. Hike near water so you can take a dip if you're feeling hot or dip some of your clothing in the water to help you cool off I hope these tips find you well and still give you hope to get outdoors even in the heat. If you do start to experience any fatigue, cramping, nausea, headaches, etc. please get yourself to a safe location and try to cool down as quickly as you can, hydrate, and or go to the hospital! By knowing where you're hiking and preparing ahead of time will help you to have a safe and fun hiking experience. Top 10 Hiking Risks and DangersGoing for a hike is exhilarating, memorable, challenging, and euphoric. It can be a very spiritual and meditative time where you can get engulfed into the beauty around you that you feel so free. Yet, with any activity there comes risks. Listed below are the top risks and dangers that hikers can face. It is better to know what the risks are now so you can prepare and avoid them at all costs. 1. Getting Lost Have a map, GPS system, or phone to help you navigate or call for an emergency 2. Hypothermia/Hyperthermia Bring the right gear to avoid getting too cold or hot 3. Dehydration Bring enough water and electrolyte drinks for the hike you are doing 4. Medical Incidents Have a first aid kit on hand and a phone in case you need to call 9-1-1 5. Bites, Scratches, or Toxic Plants Have a first aid kit that has supplies to help with these irritants 6. Unwanted weather changes (storm, lightning strikes, flash floods, avalanche, rock fall, etc.) Have an emergency back up plan if weather changes and try to seek shelter immediately 7. Fatigue Know your limit, and stop and rest when you need to. Turn around if you don't think you can make it or need help 8. Accidents or Injuries Have a first aid kit on hand and a phone in case you need to call 9-1-1 9. Being Underprepared Make sure you have all the gear you need for your hike 10. Underestimating the Trail Research your trail so you know the terrain and what items to bring on your hike To avoid these risks, please research your park and trail ahead of time, prepare your gear, and have an emergency plan in place if needed. This post is not to intimidate you but to prepare you for any situation so you are always ready!
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