Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tragedy in the mountains.
Ski-Base jumping skier Shane McConkey dies in freak mountainside accident while filming stunt
Murray/AP Extreme skier Shane McConkey in a rare moment of rest in Milford Sound, New Zealand.
Influential and daring skier Shane McConkey died Thursday after falling from a 2,000-foot cliff while performing for cameras in northern Italy. He was 39.
McConkey was unable to deploy his parachute during a 12-second freefall from the Saspardoi cliff in the Dolomite Mountains, according to a news release from Colorado-based ski-film company Matchstick Productions.
An innovator of ski-BASE jumping – in which athletes ski off massive cliffs with a parachute in their hand – McConkey starred in dozens of ski films, as well as the 2007 mainstream release "Steep," a documentary about the history of daredevil skiing.
The grisly accident occurred while McConkey was performing on a trip sponsored in part by Red Bull energy drinks, the company whose logo was often emblazoned on McConkey’s parachute.
A former ski racer who hailed from a prominent skiing family in California, McConkey’s exploits in exotic mountain ranges and his innovations in ski technology are credited with for skiing’s resurgence in the late 1990s, after snowboarding had made the sport look moribund.
"You could almost go so far to say he was the Michael Jordan of skiing," said Scott Gaffney, a filmmaker who worked with McConkey for the past 15 years. "He has left a lasting impression, and he was still going. He still put in an incredible year last year."
McConkey was also a risk-taker who clearly relished the sport’s rebellious roots and often cracked jokes about the dangerous situations he put himself in.
A witness to the fatal accident was J.T. Holmes, a ski-BASE jumper who often collaborated with McConkey – including in a 2007 jump off the Eiger, one of Switzerland’s iconic peaks.
Holmes, who had reportedly just jumped the same cliff, described the accident to the author of a news release distributed Friday by Matchstick Productions.
"McConkey performed a double backflip from the cliff and planned to release his skis and then fly in his wingsuit, a stunt he's executed a number of times," said the announcement.
"But when both skis failed to release upon tugging on straps leashed to his legs, McConkey went into an upside down position as he manually attempted to release his bindings."
According to the announcement, McConkey ultimately succeeded in detaching his skis but didn’t have time to adequately slow his descent with his parachute.
McConkey is one of the only big-mountain skiers (the term "extreme skiing" is outdated) to have an entire ski film dedicated to him alone. The 2001 film, directed by Gaffney, is called "There’s Something About McConkey."
In his films and in ski magazine he occasionally inhabited the role of "Saucerboy," a clownish persona that seemed to make fun of uncool skiers. He also recreated a famous James Bond skiing scene.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
Sometimes you feel lucky.......
Feted as hot new resort, ID's Tamarack goes bust
BOISE, Idaho -- Tamarack Resort in central Idaho billed itself as the first new destination ski resort in a quarter century when its first customers climbed aboard lifts in December 2004. Four years later, the resort operation, including lodging, is shutting down Wednesday, leaving owners of resort real estate once worth millions fearing the worst. Factors dooming Tamarack, at least for now, include a spending spree by French owner Jean-Pierre Boespflug that drained a $250 million construction loan, tight credit markets, collapsing resort real estate demand, foreclosure litigation and $20 million in unpaid construction bills.
Financiers at Credit Suisse Group are pulling the plug after a $2.8 million operating loss since Oct. 20 - "greater than the receiver (or anyone else) anticipated," according to court documents reviewed by The Associated Press. Mom-and-pop ski areas come and go, the victims of fickle weather and fickle finances. Where there were once more than 800 such U.S. resorts, there are now about 475. Still, to find a failed Western resort approaching Tamarack's size and aspirations, Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association, can recall only the 1974 demise of Stagecoach Ski Area, about 20 minutes from Colorado's Steamboat Springs.
Tamarack, on the shores of Lake Cascade reservoir, has seven lifts. Of 2,100 planned chalets, condos and town homes, only 250 are completed, near a Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed golf course.
Another 174 residences sit half done, a mountain lodge is similarly incomplete and the centerpiece Village Plaza required emergency measures late last year to protect it from winter's destructive forces. Tennis stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf bolted from a luxury hotel project, and Bank of America threatened to remove ski lifts after Tamarack missed payments. Credit Suisse and lenders it represents are now owed more than $275 million on the construction loan. They've committed to chipping in $1.7 million, on top of a previous bridge loan of $10 million in November, but the money is well shy of the cash needed to finish the ski season, let alone open up the golf course, Wilson said.Meanwhile, George Bacon, Idaho Department of Lands director, said he has received Tamarack's $250,000 annual lease payment for the 2,100 acres of state land where the ski area is located. The next installment isn't due until January 2010. "The real telling point will be next year, to see if the lease is going to continue," Bacon said. "If the lease were to end, the state could look and see if there was someone else wanting to take over what remained."
Friday, February 27, 2009
A disturbing sign.
I recently saw this sign on my trip to Colorado. Many people might recognize this sign for what it is, a marker for caution in the upcoming terrain of the Arapaho Basin ski area. There is one person, however, that would see this a different way. That person of course is Jenny X. Jenny is thinking that it stands for him and his extreme way of life. I hate to be the one to break it to you Jennifer, it's not.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
That Crazy Andy......
Kevin and I have crossed the border from Cambodia into Vietnam. The beach area of Cambodia was nice, but I did catch a stomach bug and that made traveling in a hot bus for hours a little miserable.
It was amazing crossing the border and seeing the difference....we went from a very free society to the communist goverment.....but we also went from dusty dirt roads and a lot of poverty to paved roads and a richer country with less poverty.
This area is the mekong delta area and sees a few tourists who usually do a package tour from Saigon about 9 hours from the border.......so we were treated to an unique experience staying in the local towns along the way....locals staring at us...and kids yelling helloooo!
We are a few hours from Saigon now....and have seen 3 floating markets, down a home stay on an island on the Mekong, and logged a bunch of hours on river trips.....usually not more then 5 to 10 dollars.....hotels about 5 -7 dollars.....and meals for about 1-3 dollars, so staying in budget has been very easy
I have about 4-5 days in Saigon before heading back to Bangkok for a couple of days....this trip is flying by!
Once again...I hope things are going well back home,
andy
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Now That Hunting Season Is Over......
so if any body needs anything done or knows of anyone Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Monday, February 02, 2009
The History of Jenny X. Part XII
"Dear Bob & Fred.
I have once again blazed a trail towards the future of duck hunting as it stands today. As you already know I have a boat, a Browning over-under & not 1 but 2 local gun clubs, along with many National and International awards. This, however, is my greatest contribution to the world of duck hunting ever and I wanted to share it with you at the H7HT Blog first. This season in response to your posting of the nearly impossible 'duck in the bag' shot I have created and perfected the newest in precision shooting techniques."
"Here is how we do it. My faithful retriever Ruger (also a world champion on many many levels) stands in the water among just a few blocks and one motorized attention grabbing decoy. Depending on wind speed and direction I carefully load the proper shell, one I have reloaded myself, into my gun. Waiting for the perfect altitude and trajectory I shoot down the duck with one perfectly placed shot and it falls from the sky. Now here's the tricky part. Ruger stands in the water and opens his mouth. The massive banded Greenie I just shot lands squarely between his teeth and he takes two steps and hands it to me. We then repeat this process 6 more times untill I limit out over the course of 20 minutes. Pretty s
weet eh?""Just thought you would like to hear of this first before I take my newly created show on the road with the OLN channel. They are taking us on a multi Nation tour to show other less gifted hunters such as yourselfs, how to maximize their potential. Perhaps when we are in the Portland area I will stop in to chastize you on you minimal duck counts and let you pet my dog."
All my best,
Jenny X.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Goodbye Old Friend Billy Powell
Second from rightA report by Press Association says the cause of death is a suspected heart attack. Powell had a history of heart problems and is said to have called Fred G. yesterday to say he was having trouble breathing. An ambulance was dispatched to the musician's home but he could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead. Fred G. was later overheard saying to an official "B Serf? What B Serf? I did not give Billy any B Serf."
Powell grew up in Texas, where he began playing air piano at an early age with good friend Robert C. Da Folder. He became a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970, when the band had gone through a number of name changes including the Noble Five and One Percent. By the time Ronnie Van Zandt and co settled on their final incarnation, Powell had been promoted to keyboardist. The Southern rock group went on to enjoy considerable success throughout the mid 70s after scoring a smash hit with their 1974 song Sweet Home Alabama. However, a plane crash in McComb, Mississippi in 1977 killed singer Ronnie Van Zandt, guitarist Steve Gaines and manager Dean Kilpatrick, leaving Powell with severe facial injuries. The remaining members of the band reunited in 1987 with Johnny Van Zandt, brother of Ronnie, as singer, and Lynryd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Good friend and confidant Robert C. Da Folder was asked what he will miss most about the famed keyboardist and he said "Me and Billy go back a long way, but one thing that sticks out in my mind is, he always wanted to go hunting with the Hoy 7 Hunting Team and I thought this was the year. Shame, crying shame."
Powell's death yesterday comes after he missed a scheduled appointment with his heart specialist earlier in the week that was understood that Fred G. was suppose to take him to. Fred G. was spotted in Portland Oregon. Fred G. later said "No Comment!" Billy is survived by his wife and four children.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Day 22
Today was a sad day on many levels. The end of the season, no ducks to fold & anticipation of the next day's hunt is irrelevant. I am still amazed by the level of dedication this team possesses even on the last day of the season. We follow all the standard H7HT protocols and all the traditions right up to the last day. There were some bright spots to the day however, we were joined by Charter Member Cliffy V. and witnessed yet another new addition to the HOY 7 Hunting Team. Ladies and Gentlemen welcome Max G. to the team.
This week we were lucky enough to have two new members. Mr Jim G, and Fred's Chinese Brother Max. I'm sorry to say that we were unable to provide any worthwhile killing opportunities for Max but I believe a good time was had by all. I'd tell you about the day but it's the same old story you already know, so instead I'll just leave you with the knowledge that next years hunting season is only 9 months away. Goodbye 2008/09 season.
F.G. 9 kills
B.D. 6 kills
C.V. 2 kills
GBCH
(P.S. next year you die Greeine!)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Holy Mo-Le'
Only Fred G. and Abraham can describe the 21 ingredients necessary to make this ultra delicious Duck Mo-Le'. I can only tell you it was "straight up good".Jiggitty Jeff
"Here are a few good pictures. I don't have any great flamethrower pics though. Just videos. I will have to send them one at a time."
Jiggitty Jeff.
Day 21
After the rousing success of day 20 (AKA killin' for the King) we had no choice to head out to the Old New spot for the evening fly. Unfortunately it was not nearly as successful as the previous day but we did manage to have fun and introduce Jim G. to a cold and windy lifestyle he may have never known. Congratulations Mr G. Sr. Welcome to the HOY7 Hunting Team!Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Day 20. -AKA- Killin' for the King.
Regular readers of the H7HT blog will know that hunting in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King is a yearly tradition and this year was no different. We were joined by Charter member Cliffy V. for the days hunt. He even took the day off from his busy schedule to hunt with us, what a guy eh? I think he may have been a little circumspect at first to go for the later day 'evening fly' that we had planed but he is now a believer. We arrived at about 2:00 at the Old New spot and walked out to the mighty Columbia River, packed light and fast.
Massive winds and white capped waters greeted us as we set some blocks to our right and left. Our recent clear skies have brought with them an unusual set of conditions for this time of year and we welcomed the
chance to be able to face the winds without getting drenched. Cliffy and I held the point while Fred G. worked the corner of the slough. The days first kill belonged to your author, Bob. Two mallards flew in from behind us to the blocks we had set up. With such strong winds, now at our backs, they were basically floating in front of us. We both shot and the consensus was that I took the greenie and seconds after Cliffy took the hen. The drake was easy to get but Cliffy had quite the walk and wade to get his bird, nearly 1/4 mile away by the time the wind brought her in.The action was fast and furious from there on out. Mallards flying everywhere and all wanting to get down in the relatively calm waters on the other side of the river. We all had some shots but often the birds we traveling at such mach speeds with the wind that shots were missed. Fred shot a massive hen, the biggest we've ever seen, and brought the total to 3. As the day drew near to close we had other shots and then the final kill. A greenie and his woman turned behind us and came over our heads. I put the bead on him and pulled the trigger, watched him fold up and hit the water just in front of us. The wind brought him right to me. Fred G. also claimed him saying that we had shot simultaneously and, it was in fact, he who brought the greenie down. No chance. I claimed the kill, say Amen!
The sun then dipped below the horizon and we packed up for the walk back to the trucks, all agreeing that it was a fine day of hunting and that MLK would be proud. As a post-script to the days hunt I must tell you that back at my house cleaning the ducks in preparation for some tasty Mo-le' we discovered that the last greenie I shot had no less than 14 holes in him. I refuse to share the kill (I need the numbers) but I must concede that perhaps a couple of Fred's BBs hit him. Stay tuned for more afternoon hunts with the World Renown H7HT.
GBCH
Guest Editor.
Ha! It is I, Greenie and I rule!
I see your little group of murdering bastards has taken yet more of my extended family. Bertrand, my third cousin on my Fathers side, had a thriving pate' business and Gaston, who you shot 14 times, was my Brother in Law. You think you are the best, no? Well let me tell you something you stinking hunters. You will NEVER get me, for I am Greenie and I rule!
Camouflage outfits? I see right through them. Decoys on a string? They look like zombies to me. "Black Cloud" 3 1/2' shells? I am faster by far. Duck calls? You sound like the baying whores of my hometown Quebec's red light Greenie district. So the next time I see you hiding in the bushes as my friends and family try to bed down for the evening I will once again elude you and your worthless Italian guns. For you must remember, I am Greenie and I rule!
I quack in your general direction.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Day 19
Being as I had an extremely important meeting this morning at work I was unable to go for the morning hunt. We had decided to try an afternoon fly out at the Old New spot and boy, was that a good idea. Driving out to hunt in the afternoon seemed a little weird but we packed light and fast and had an easy walk out. We set only 6 blocks out in the high water area off the shore and took up spots standing in water about knee high. It was clear as a bell and we called hard for ducks to come in. I was standing about 20 yards to Fred's left when the first two came in low and fast towards the decoys. I shouldered my gun and readied myself for the right shot when, BLAM, Fred G. took both greenies with one shot. Okay, okay, I thought, good shooting and all but I could have had a shot too.
As he was retrieving that duck about 20 mallards flew right in looking for a place to land. No dice. They wanted nothing to do with us then and flew off. Missed chance #2. A little later 4 ducks are coming right over Fred's head and into the spread near me, I raise my gun and draw a bea..... BLAM, Fred G shoots again and the ducks scatter, missed chance #3. Kind of circumstance eh? So then he suggests we move out to a floating log near the end of the low water and I agree, seems there are more ducks in that area. So right as I get there 2 big fat Greenie fly into and touch down at the area I was just in. WTF? Missed chance #4 So at this point thinking the conspiricy is on I just go back to the spot I was in before and Fred stays by the log. Another Greenie comes in and BLAM, another duck downed by Fred.
So I know what you are thinking at this point. 'Well Bob maybe you should be quicker on the draw'. 'Perhaps you should scout your spots better'. 'Maybe it just wasn't your day'. 'Man what a crybaby'. To this I only have one reply, the last shot of the day was mine. I waited and called and a nice greenie floated into the decoys, saw something he didn't like and lit off. I took a shot and barely missed, feathers flying. He flew off into the afternoon sunset and I felt great.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Knowledge.
 Even though they're called waterfowl, water isn't the only place to hunt ducks. Hunter Jim Balzer bagged these two handsome drake widgeons while hunting over a snow goose setup in a field. He may never get his feet wet again! Photo by Mike Gnatkowski. |
Traditionally, waterfowlers have hunted geese on land and ducks over water. But that mindset may be changing. More and more waterfowlers are discovering that puddle ducks spend plenty of time on dry land. Targeting them in the fields where they feed can pay big dividends.
Manufacturers of hunting accessories are jumping on the bandwagon, too. Several companies are now creating very lifelike field-duck decoys and equipment that makes hunting ducks in fields more practical and productive than ever. Fact is, you can shoot a limit of ducks these days and never get your feet wet!
It was probably 30 years ago when I started hunting ducks in the fields. We'd watch the birds leave the refuge and follow them up to 20 miles out into the surrounding corn fields. Back then we didn't have GPS, lay-down blinds, spinning winged decoys and corn field camouflage. Our success was modest, but when everything clicked, it provided some great shooting for big, fat mallards.
Get Out And Scout About
More than any type of waterfowling, hunting ducks in fields requires scouting. If you're not where the ducks want to be, you're usually wasting your time. The only way to know where the ducks are is to follow them or find them. This requires an investment in time and energy, but you can be rewarded in spades.
Ducks don't spend all their time in the fields. They spend the majority of their time on the water. Finding concentrations of birds on the water is key for success. The birds might be using large natural lakes, marshes, reservoirs, rivers or streams. Certainly, ducks will be using the water throughout the season, but their numbers generally build as the season progresses and the migration intensifies. You need to scout regularly to monitor the numbers of birds around and the potential for field-hunting success.
Remember, you're looking for puddle ducks. Big rafts of divers might look inviting, but it's the puddle ducks -- like mallards, widgeons, pintails and wood ducks -- that are going to be visiting local farm fields.
Some of the best field-hunting for ducks typically occurs late in the season when migration numbers are peaking, water sources are at a premium, and high-energy grain is a necessity. However, that doesn't mean fields can't be productive right from the opening bell.
