This was today. I’ve heard reports of 6″+ of base snow. Enough said.

From Nils’ (Plakespear)-

In 2003 I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, which further testing revealed had spread to my lymph nodes. I underwent several surgical procedures, as well as a year of Alpha Inteferon treatment. During that time, a group of freinds and strangers from the internet raised a bunch of money, and sent me on a ski trip to Utah. It was my first trip out west, and it transformed my life. I spent most of 2004 exhausted from the medicine, working when I could at a ski and bicycle shop, which allowed me to make some money, but due to my illness I had to put my career in video production on hold. In the fall of 2005, things were looking good, when a CAT scan revealed a mysterious spot on my right lung. This turned out to be another melanoma. I had surgery to remove this lesion in April of 2006, and I am now in the process of recovery. Further scans this summer revealed that the Melanoma was spreading through my lungs. I spent a lot of the summer being treated with Interleukin II, a very exhausting treatment. Unfortunately, it was not successful, and I will soon begin a regimen of a trial vaccine. However I am not letting this control my life. I continue to ride my bike as much as I can, and am looking forward to a winter filled with skiing. I will relocate to Mt. Snow, VT for most of the winter, which will serve as my basecamp for adventures throughout the Northeast and Quebec. I also have several trips planned Out West. And I continue to write, create, and work on my documentary film “Normalcy”, which tells the story of myself and other cancer survivors and how sliding down snowy mountains helped us to kick cancer’s ass. Cancer picked the wrong guy to fuck with.

Enjoy your endless powder turns-
Jake

[Nils]

Final Score-
University of Utah: 44
UCLA: 6

My first college football game. UofU was coming off two bad wins to low ranked teams and facing off against 11th ranked UCLA. I had low expectations. I know people that go to UCLA and have some friends in the LA area. They’re a good team. My Utes have been lacking this year.

Yesterday that changed though-

Led by three Grady touchdowns and an unbelievable defense I watched the Utes destroy the Bruins by a 38 point margin. You almost had to feel bad for the Bruins as the 44,000 person crowd in Rice Eccles stadium stomped their feet chanting ‘O-VER-RATE-ED’.

Here are some pictures (pardon the quality from my phone) from the game-

Rice Eccles in a sea of red-

Seconds before another Ute touchdown!

Victory! and rushing the field!

The sun paints Salt Lake Valley in crimson.

Cheers and congrats to our mighty, mighty Utes.
Jake

School blows-

That needs to be said. Now that it has been, here is something I haven’t done for awhile.

Made a wallpaper out of a photo I took while riding up Snowbird (from tram base to tram base)-

Name: Lift Line
Available Sizes: 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1280×1024, 1280×800

[download wallpaper] [original photo]

Enjoy!
Jake

School is driving me increasingly insane and it makes it difficult to get on my bike as often, but I’ve found other outlets for my energy…

This picture makes me laugh. I redecorated the hallway to my flat-mates door late last night…There is an open water bottle behind that blanket and in front of the upturned couch waiting to spill-

Jake