In case you think being a mountain guide is all glory…

Today’s 15-hour shift had me leaving my house at 1:30am, hiking by 2ish. We covered over 18 miles and 5600 ft of elevation gain to summit four peaks. I led the entire way, breaking trail with snowshoes in 6-12" of fresh, heavy snowfall on top of already massive amounts of snow. It was grueling work. No views.

But my client made great company, and I live for these huge endurance days.

Tomorrow’s hike is another 18 miles, and I need to wake up at 2:20am (in 5 hours 😱) to get there on time.

I love this work. And also some days are really, really hard. 🙂

Spent the day with Joe on a fat and wonderful Harlot at NSOP. Though it was his first day on ice, Joe was eager to learn and we got his technique dialed in so he could try some steep columns and a little mock multipitch practice! Love these one-on-one days where so much progress can be gained in just a few hours. 🙌

A person wearing a red helmet and bright jacket climbs an icy wall using an ice axe in a snowy woodland environment with equipment on the ground below. A person wearing a red helmet and neon jacket climbs an icy vertical surface using an ice axe surrounded by snow and trees. Text on the helmet reads Onward Mountain Guides. Ice tools protruding from a frozen waterfall climb vertical ice formations surrounded by leafless trees in a cold woodland environment. A climber wearing bright clothing ascends a massive vertical ice formation using ice axes in a snowy forested environment with leafless trees above. A climber scales a frozen waterfall using a blue rope, surrounded by leafless trees and an overcast sky. A person wearing a helmet climbs a frozen waterfall using an ice axe in a forested area with bare trees surrounding the icy formation. A climber ascends a steep icy cliff using ropes surrounded by a snowy forest with equipment and a blue tarp on the ground below. Two climbers stand and smile on a snowy path amidst an icy waterfall. One climber gives a thumbs-up while the other takes a selfie, both wearing bright protective gear.

Seeing folks go from zero ice climbing experience to scaling overhung curtains, thin stepped ledges, and vertical corners in the space of a few hours is always thrilling! Equally exciting was the camaraderie and enthusiasm for cheering each other on shown by Everly, Emery, Lizz, and Lindsay today. We learned that we sure can do hard things!

Spent another fine day with @andymack.97, this time exploring the many miles of trails at @vanhoevenberg! Grooming was top-notch, which was a nice change from some of the slog of the Jackrabbit yesterday. Skiing 18 miles made for a full day! 😮‍💨

A person skis along a snow-covered trail surrounded by dense evergreen trees under a cloudy sky carrying a blue backpack. A person wearing winter clothing and skis stands on a snowy field looking toward distant mountains under a cloudy sky with trees nearby. A wooden post displaying directional signs stands in snowy woods pointing left and right. Text reads Porter Mountain and Return Porter Mountain. Surrounding trees are lightly dusted with snow.

17+ miles on the 🐇 Jackrabbit Ski Trail with @andymack.97 today! We skied from @paulsmiths to @saranaclake, battling sticky snow in these warm conditions. But Andrew was a trooper on this, his first backcountry Nordic outing, and we made up great time in the second half! Gonna hit up some groomers tomorrow for extra speed. 💨

🫶 We love sharing our passion for the mountains with our guests!

A person wearing snowshoes and winter clothing stands in a snowy forest. Text describes a positive review by Luis Carvalho about a guided winter hike with Onward Mountain Guides.

Gothics & Armstrong are now packed out from bottom to top from AMR. Wild amounts of unconsolidated snow up there kept my client and I busy. 🥵

Two deer stand on snow-covered ground nibbling at the surface surrounded by a snowy forest landscape with trees and bushes in the background. A green sign on a snow-covered trail indicates direction. The text reads “Gothics via Beaver Meadow Falls” with a right-pointing arrow. Surrounded by trees in a winter forest. Trees stand bare amidst a snowy landscape with a clear sky above and a dense evergreen forest surrounding them. Snow-covered path winds through a forest of tall bare trees Foot Trail sign affixed to a trunk Sparse greenery peeks through the snow creating a serene winter scene Person walking using poles through a snow-covered forest trees surrounding deeply covered in white snow creating a serene winter scene Snow-covered trees stand quietly in a dense forest. A thick layer of snow blankets the ground, creating a serene and untouched winter landscape. Snow-laden trees stand still in a dense forest blanketed by heavy snow under an overcast sky, creating a serene and silent winter landscape. Snow-covered branches partially obscure a wooden sign for a foot trail in a winter forest setting. Text includes Foot Trail and various distance information for routes. Snow-covered trees stand still on a mountain slope shrouded in heavy mist and fog enveloping the landscape in a cold and serene atmosphere. A hiker ascends a snow-covered mountain slope using trekking poles surrounded by frost-covered shrubs under a foggy sky. Person wearing a red jacket and goggles shouting excitedly in a snowy landscape with snow-covered trees in the background. Snow-covered trees stand still, framing a person gazing at distant rolling mountains under a clear blue sky. A person walks through a snowy forest path using poles and wearing snowshoes surrounded by tall trees and a clear blue sky. A snowy mountain stands still under a dark sky surrounded by leafless trees and layers of snow the atmosphere is calm and the setting is dimly lit.

Fun (and snowy) formations on Roaring Brook Falls today! Always a good time with @fosseauxlions___. 🤙

Seeing folks go from zero ice climbing experience to scaling overhung curtains, thin stepped ledges, and vertical corners in just a few hours is always thrilling! Equally exciting was the camaraderie and enthusiasm shown by Everly, Emery, Lizz, and Lindsay today. We sure can do hard things!

Spent another fine day with @andymack.97, this time exploring the many miles of trails at @vanhoevenberg! Grooming was top-notch, which was a nice change from some of the slog of the Jackrabbit yesterday. Skiing 18 miles made for a full day! 😮‍💨

A person skis along a snow-covered trail surrounded by dense evergreen trees under a cloudy sky carrying a blue backpack. A person wearing winter clothing and skis stands on a snowy field looking toward distant mountains under a cloudy sky with trees nearby. A wooden post displaying directional signs stands in snowy woods pointing left and right. Text reads Porter Mountain and Return Porter Mountain. Surrounding trees are lightly dusted with snow.

17+ miles on the 🐇 Jackrabbit Ski Trail with @andymack.97 today! We skied from @paulsmiths to @saranaclake, battling sticky snow in these warm conditions. But Andrew was a trooper on this, his first backcountry Nordic outing, and we made up great time in the second half! Gonna hit up some groomers tomorrow for extra speed. 💨

🫶 We love sharing our passion for the mountains with our guests!

A person wearing snowshoes and winter clothing stands in a snowy forest. Text describes a positive review by Luis Carvalho about a guided winter hike with Onward Mountain Guides.

Finished reading: Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel 📚

I can tell this is going to be one of those books that I think about again and again. (Like Piranesi) 👍👍

Gothics & Armstrong are now packed out from bottom to top from AMR. Wild amounts of unconsolidated snow up there kept my client and I busy. 🥵

Two deer stand on snow-covered ground nibbling at the surface surrounded by a snowy forest landscape with trees and bushes in the background. A green sign on a snow-covered trail indicates direction. The text reads “Gothics via Beaver Meadow Falls” with a right-pointing arrow. Surrounded by trees in a winter forest. Trees stand bare amidst a snowy landscape with a clear sky above and a dense evergreen forest surrounding them. Snow-covered path winds through a forest of tall bare trees Foot Trail sign affixed to a trunk Sparse greenery peeks through the snow creating a serene winter scene Person walking using poles through a snow-covered forest trees surrounding deeply covered in white snow creating a serene winter scene Snow-covered trees stand quietly in a dense forest. A thick layer of snow blankets the ground, creating a serene and untouched winter landscape. Snow-laden trees stand still in a dense forest blanketed by heavy snow under an overcast sky, creating a serene and silent winter landscape. Snow-covered branches partially obscure a wooden sign for a foot trail in a winter forest setting. Text includes Foot Trail and various distance information for routes. Snow-covered trees stand still on a mountain slope shrouded in heavy mist and fog enveloping the landscape in a cold and serene atmosphere. A hiker ascends a snow-covered mountain slope using trekking poles surrounded by frost-covered shrubs under a foggy sky. Person wearing a red jacket and goggles shouting excitedly in a snowy landscape with snow-covered trees in the background. Snow-covered trees stand still, framing a person gazing at distant rolling mountains under a clear blue sky. A person walks through a snowy forest path using poles and wearing snowshoes surrounded by tall trees and a clear blue sky. A snowy mountain stands still under a dark sky surrounded by leafless trees and layers of snow the atmosphere is calm and the setting is dimly lit.

Fun (and snowy) formations on Roaring Brook Falls today! Always a good time with @fosseauxlions___. 🤙

Great day on the trail up Street & Nye today, and so good to reconnect with Luis and Tasha. After doing Cascade last winter, they’re officially on route to go after the 46! We enjoyed a variety of beautiful weather conditions, and a hard-packed trail all the way up. It’s a great time to bag some peaks! ❄️

Two people wearing winter clothing and snowshoes walk through a snowy forest carrying trekking poles surrounded by tall trees with snow-covered branches. Two people stand on a snowy trail holding trekking poles surrounded by snow-covered trees in a mountainous winter landscape. Snow-covered trees standing silently frame a distant snow-capped mountain under a cloudy gray sky creating a serene winter landscape Two people in snowshoes stand next to a tree with a sign reading Street Mountain surrounded by snow-covered trees in a winter landscape. People posing for a photo while snowshoeing in a snowy forest environment. One person is wearing a blue jacket, another in red, and a third in teal. Visible text: NYE MOUNTAIN. Three people wearing winter jackets and holding trekking poles smile at the camera surrounded by snow-covered ground and trees with a wooden cabin in the background.

Out for a ski with the buds 👌

Getting youngsters into this sport — especially with the support and participation of their family with them — is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a guide. Can’t wait to climb with @marileefaist and family again! 🧡

Child in a red helmet climbing a rock wall securely harnessed next to a rope. Text overlay shows a five-star review by Marilee Faist describing a positive rock climbing experience with an instructor named Jarrod.

Fragmented and battered

Steve Ledlow: ‘Intersecting Interests’

I’m simultaneously interested in how these modern technological advances (LLMs, for example) can be used for real value in our world and in how we as a human species can regain ground when it comes to our fragmented focus and battered attention spans. These interests are almost always in conflict because I recognize how much the first is being used against the second.

“Fragmented.” “Battered.” “Onslaught.” “Exhausted.” These are not healthy words to describe what’s happening to our attention. I’m curious what daily life will look like for humans in a century’s time, and how they’ll look back at the way we live. With longing? Or disgust?

Wired: ‘Ferrari’s New Jony Ive–Designed EV Is Swathed in Glass and Aluminum’

When Ive pushed it down, the yellow E Ink on the fob dimmed, and the glass knob of the gear shifter beside it lit up with a yellow gleam. The Ferrari logo blinks on, and the dials on the dash spring to attention. It was as if that signature yellow pigment was a serum being injected into the car’s body, awakening it from slumber.

Ive’s still got it. This interior is absolutely gorgeous. Its design is so thoughtful and tactile. I could spend hours inspecting all the details. Well done to the LoveFrom team.

Watched: Stranger Things Season 5 📺

Alright — I’ll admit — they landed season and series quite well. 👍

🆕📝 7 Things This Week [#182]

I confess, not all of these links are from this week. I double confess — none of them are. 😝

Congratulations to @ismh86@eworld.social on his 7(!) year run as a host of Mac Power Users. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed his tenure on that podcast. Also congrats to @stephenrobles@mastodon.social for filling that spot — excited to see what he brings to the show!

This feels significant for an outlet that made a big deal about commissioning an artist to illustrate their biggest story of the year in defiance of Apple Intelligence/Image Playground taking space from humans. And continue to specify that AI will not do their writing, but will help with everything around it. Not trying to pass judgement, but I do find it notable considering that Finn is @johnvoorhees@macstories.net’s son.

Coding agents have absolutely decimated the MacStories Special Projects Team billable hours

Oh no. Blue Ice has revealed their new packs for Spring ‘26, and I want everything. Especially that Stache Ice 38L. 🤤

I’m drawn to brands that obsess over the details for their given market. Mountain Equipment for alpinist clothing. Raide for ski touring gear. Blue Ice for packs and other climbing equipment.