Zachary Kenney

Tagert Backcountry Ski Hut in Colorado Review

March 3rd, 2021Zachary Kenney0 Comments

Tagert Hut, tucked away deep in the backcountry of the Elk Mountains, just outside of Aspen, Colorado, exceeded the unbelievably high standards I had held for my first hut ski trip. From picturesque panoramic views of massive snow capped peaks that surrounded the hut, to the cosy, efficient cabin architecture within the hut. So when my 4 buddies and I skied the 5 miles up Pearl Pass road to the hut, we were ready for a trip of a lifetime. Getting There Named for Billy Tagert, an Aspen pioneer and teamster who hauled supplies to mining camps in the Elk …

Backcountry Skiing 101: Video Series

February 19th, 2021Zachary Kenney0 Comments

In this Backcountry Skiing 101 Series, I’m going to breakdown all the little pieces that go into a day backcountry skiing or snowboarding. We’ll touch on going uphill, transitioning to the downhill, working with your avalanche equipment, rescue scenarios, and fun backcountry powder skiing. This series is not intended to replace official AIARE or Avalanche Safety Courses offered by professionals. This is merely a series for those who are sticking to resort touring, or might have some questions about ski touring and need some help. Please reach out if you have any questions, comments, or helpful tips that you’d like …

My Top 10 Mountain Bike Trails from 2020 | Ranked

February 1st, 2021Zachary Kenney0 Comments

2020 I spent a lot of time riding my mountain bike and I wanted to put together this list of my favorite/top 10 trails I rode this year. The trails span Colorado, Utah, Oregon, and Idaho. Of course there are so many more trails I rode that would love to top this list, but it’s hard to beat these trails. Check’m out and enjoy. #1 Ribbon Trail – Grand Junction, CO Flat out, this trail is unlike anything you’ve ever ridden. Wide open desert slaps that descend a thousand feet from the Colorado Plateau. Its been on my bucket list, …

Ski Touring at Night |Park City Mountain

January 22nd, 2021Zachary Kenney0 Comments

As you climb up the ski run, that you’ve skied downhill so many times, you begin to enter the flow state. The lights from the base area begin to disappear, and the darkness around the beam of your headlamp becomes the new normal. Without the constant alertness required when traveling in avalanche terrain, you can allow your brain to wonder. The climb begins to hit a rhythm as you find a good pace to slide over the icy surface. One foot, sliding in front of the other, and repeat. It becomes, sort of like a meditation. Only when a fellow …

Climbing in a Flow State on The Grand Teton

December 28th, 2020Zachary Kenney0 Comments

Move after move, far above my last piece of gear, stemming off a thick sheet of rime ice, I felt like I couldn’t fall. Climbing 5.4 off the ground is no accomplishment on its own; but in some of the most adverse climbing conditions I’ve ever faced. And at 13,000′ and going on 12 hours of climbing, it’s something I wanted to look into. I’m no 5.12 climber or experienced mountaineer, but why was I making every move with pure confidence? I attribute it all to being in a flow state. Flow is something most adventure and action sport athletes …

Dogs in Banff National Park

December 26th, 2020Zachary Kenney0 Comments

If you’re anything like me, you’ve wanted to take your dog with you on some of the most incredible hikes that our National Parks have to offer. You know… to Delicate Arch in Arches, Angels Landing in Zion, or even up to Half Dome in Yosemite. Okay, maybe I wouldn’t take a dog up there, but you get the idea. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in National Parks in the United States (or should I say not allowed on trails). Have no fear, the Canadian National Parks are here! Did you know, dogs are allowed everywhere in Canadian National Parks? …

Lessons Learned from Skiing Teton Pass… like a Jerry

December 23rd, 2020Zachary Kenney1 Comment

No matter who you are, or where you ski, when it comes to skiing of Teton Pass, prepare yourself and have an open mind. I start by saying this not because of how technical or difficult the skiing is off the Pass, because it isn’t. I say this because I don’t want you to make the same mistakes that my friends and I made on a weekend in February last year. And we made fools of ourselves. Teton Pass is the main thru-way from Jackson, Wyoming to Victor, Idaho that crosses over the southern portion of the Teton Range. Being …

Grandeur Peak Trail West Face | The Hardest Hike in the Wasatch Mountains?

December 21st, 2020Zachary Kenney1 Comment

There are two pinnacle hikes that every Salt Lake resident can see from the city and eventually should do. The two are Mount Olympus and the West Face of Grandeur Peak. Having done both of them, and many other peaks in the Wasatch, I think it’s safe to say, the Grandeur Peak via the West Face is the hardest hike in the Wasatch. In typical Wasatch trail fashion, right out of the parking lot you immediately head straight up. With little reprieve at the bench, you have the option of choosing between trails that ascend up two different ridges that …

5 Tips for Working From Home and Maintaining a Healthy Work/Life Balance

December 18th, 2020Zachary Kenney0 Comments

Almost three years ago, long before the pandemic was ever on anyone’s mind, I moved out to Utah. I never was able to find work out here, so I made a deal with the company I worked for at the time to allow me to work from home full time. I’d be able to keep my job, my responsibilities, my hours, all in exchange that I’d be chained to a home office desk during working hours. At the time, I thought that deal was by far the best thing that could happen in this scenario. I was 26 years old, …

Huntington Dog Beach

December 3rd, 2020Zachary Kenney0 Comments

Flat out, I think the best part of California is the Dog Beach in Huntington Beach. On our first trip to California over Thanksgiving in 2018, when our dog Gregor was only 6 months old, we discovered this absolute gem of a beach. And two years later, we made the drive back to California over the same Thanksgiving weekend to go Huntingdon Dog Beach again, because it’s that incredible. And after three days, back to back to back at the dog beach, Gregor was completely wiped out and slept the entire 12hr drive back to Utah. What exactly is the …

Author: Zachary Kenney