Kyle Miller

Introduction

My name is Kyle Miller and I am a full time ski bum, averaging over 100 days and riding 9 months a year for the past 10 years (and 95 consecutive months of earning turns). Over the years I have gotten deeper and deeper into the backcountry. What started as the occasional bootpack in the sidecountry has now become week long expeditions deep in remote parts of the Cascades and Olympic Mountains. This TR is a combination of my past two years. Enjoy.

The 08/09 Season.

During the lift serviced season I roamed around my local stomping ground in and around Crystal Mountain located 70 miles south of Seattle.



Only 10 miles east of Mt Rainier,Crystal Mountain has some of the best Backcountry out of all the resorts in Washington state.



Occasionally heading North to the Snoqualmie Pass backcountry

The famous Slot Couloir


and Kaleteen Peak


Before long the resorts were closed and we were in the spring touring season.



pushing deeper and deeper into the backcountry, tagging lines in the middle of Nowhere.

Kyle Miller

Once the weather settled I pushed my own physical limited, heading off on a 7 day tour deep in the Olympic Mountains.



Traveling over 60 miles all together in some of the most rugged and wild terrain I had ever encountered.



Tagging first ski/snowboard descents in a area called the Valhallas


and all over Mt. Olympus

Five Fingers


and a first descent on Athena


Once my feet were healed I was off to tackle the Cascade Volcanos.



climbing up big names like Mt. Rainer in Washington



and riding down even bigger lines like the Gib Chute on Mt Rainier


the Furher Thumb on Rainier


The Cool Glacier Headwall on Glacier Peak

Kyle Miller

The Early Morning Couloir on The North Sister.



and the Prouty Glacier Headwall on The South Sister.



In total I rode off 25 Seperate Volcanos



and rode almost everyday until all the snow had melted in late July



Beaten and exhausted I took a much needed break for the next 3 months




Within a week of the first snowfall we were literally neck deep in the 09/10 Season



and taking advantage of my splitboard on opening day at Crystal Mountain.



By December the snowfall slowed down and we climbed a few rather Isolated Peaks

Middle Chiwaukum Peak


and took in the scenery of Mt Rainier National Park


Van Trump Park

Kyle Miller

With snow conditions faring better in Canada for the month of January,Jason Hummel and myself decided to head up north.



Exploring Glaciers in British Columbia.


Before heading into the Canadian Rockies.



and tagging a few peaks along the way



I was amazed by how the glaciers hung to the Massive rock walls.



but before long it was time to say goodbye to Canada and head back home.



In febuary I worked on my climbing skills.



and riding untracked slopes both in the resort


backcountry

Kyle Miller

Testing my riding skills on glaciers.



and steep chutes.



By March I was ready to go out and tackle bigger more remote peaks.



Working on my glacier travel skills.



Crossing a few hurles along the way.



But the payout was well worth it

North face of the North Twin Sister


The CJ Couloir on Johonasburg


and the North face of Mt. Buckner


In April I was feeling strong and focusing on going the distance in the Stevens Pass area

The Big Chiwaukum.


Slayed by my friend Ale Capone.

Kyle Miller

and explored lines within the Monte Cristos



Tackling lines in the unknown.



By now I felt rather good about my balancing skills


In early May the PNW was nailed with a Late season snow storm.



and ran up some gnarly lines.



managing to get my final face shots of the season


Getting intamate with Mt Shuksan



both on the north side.



and the south side.



and all over the Cascade Pass area

Sahale

Kyle Miller

Eldorado


The Dorado Needle


and Klawatti


even with all that touring there was still so much to be explored.


In June the days were long and the tours were longer

Like Dome Peak.


Seven Fingered Jack.


Cardinial Mountain.


Abernathy Peak.


and Mt Robinson.

Kyle Miller

This July was by far the most grueling month with two back to back tours with over 120 miles traveled in 14 days and almost 50,000 vert.

The First being the Alpine Lakes Traverse


Tagging lines like Chickamen


and Overcoat


In one of the most scenic areas in Washington

Followed by the Bailey Range traverse



and the tagging of Olympus's 3 summits becoming the first snowboarder to complete this traverse.


I hope you enjoyed this pic heavy trip report and I look forward to posting on your forum this upcoming season.

Kyle Miller

ColinHoernig

stunning. i'm incredibly jealous.

FlipsideJohn

all i can say is... amazing.
thanks for posting these awesome pics.

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