LOCALadk Magazine

Up & Comer | LOCALadk Shredding the Gnar By Rory Riggins My backcountry skiing adventures began in 5th grade at Keene Central School. My teacher then was Ron Konowitz; it seemed he was always talking about skiing. Once, he took us hiking up Rooster Comb and talked about how good the skiing would be in one open gladed area. One morning after a small December snowstorm my Mom was shocked to see me up before her alarm went off, standing at the end of her bed with my ski gear on. "Mom, it snowed last night. I'm going for a ski." I told her I wanted to go to Rooster Comb before school. Since she was tired and half-asleep, I don't believe she knew what I was asking. She said to have fun and be careful. It wasn't until later that she woke up and fully realized what she had given me permission to do. The only skis I had were downhill Atomic Race 8's, and my boots were heavy Nordica alpine ski boots, but I was determined to hike up the mountain to that open gladed area. I had to shoulder my skis and drag my poles behind me. I was so intent on skiing that morning I went without food, water, even a backpack. It took me a long time to get there, but the trip down was worth it. I felt so happy and satisfied that I had climbed all that way on my own. This solo trip gave me my first taste of backcountry skiing. When I got to school, I told Mr. Konowitz about my trip. Several days later he invited me and my Dad to ski Whiteface with him before school. This would be the first time I ever used climbing skins and telemark skis. I didn't own any tele gear, but our friends Jan and Megan Wellford, said I could borrow theirs. My Dad and I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to meet Ron (called Mr. K at the time, because he was my teacher) in the parking lot at 5:15 a.m. We hoped to be skiing by 5:30 a.m. to have time to skin up, transition, and ski down. My Dad didn't have the right gear either, so he snowshoed up with skis tied to his pack. It took us longer than anticipated to climb up, so we weren't able to top out, but the sunrise was unbelievably awesome at the base of the head wall on Upper Northway. The ski down was incredible, with freshly groomed trails to ourselves. As we slowly made our way down, we took frequent stops to view the early morning sunlit mountains. Without crowds around me I was more focused and could make better turns. I felt like a pro. When we skied to the base lodge, we had to drive to school immediately so we wouldn't be late. When we got there, I grabbed my backpack and ran inside to the locker room to change out of my ski stuff, but soon realized I'd forgotten Riggins Family Photo Ron Konowitz skinning up with Rory

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