Just Remembered

I'm just remembering a dream I had about Shane and his family - something about still living in the valley but in an apartment below him and his family. He still knew how to throw a house party for grown ups. I think I realized then I was going to enjoy every day I spend in the ski industry - because so many people will never get to do it. Thanks for some more inspiration Shane.
This is just too unreal.

You Remember

We all remember where we were for things like 9/11 or for those of you before my time - the Kennedy assassinations.

But for adventure sport enthusiasts, especially skiers, we will all remember exactly what we were doing when we learned Shane McConkey passed away.

I'll remember having missed the instant message from Luke about it when I got home.

His ski failed to release on a BASE jump in the Italian Dolomite Mountains just a few hours ago. My heart goes out to Shane's wife and three-year-old daughter.

I'm somewhere between devastated, inspired, angry and numb.

It just occurred to me that Shane is immortalized among the Chuck Yeagers and Alan Shepards of the world. He was on a whole nother level - I just never realized it.

Rest in peace Shane. We are all better people for having known you.

Hannah Night at the Improv

From Hannah's Performance

Training

So all this talk I do about training and fighting the good fight has nothing to do w/ boxing. Hope I didn't just Sixth Sense you there.

O.k., I'll explain what I mean. You know when you watched Sixth Sense for the first time and realized dood was really dead? Well anyway I used to give away the ending to that movie for fun. And people would be reasonably pissed at me. Well, I hope I didn't just blow the whole boxing = life analogy for you.

Anyway - moving on now.

All this talk and research about Muhammad Ali's personal and professional life inspired me to actually go to, and exercise in, a gym. This should shock you even more than the Sixth Sense did. As anyone who knows me already knows - this champ HATES the gym.

Well make that HATED the gym because I like it now. And I need it more than ever. Sitting here on the couch is making me gain fat while withering muscle away underneath. This means I'm just going to hurt myself skiing - not to mention that potential heart attack at 55 or the grocery list of other health risks associated w/ a sedentary lifestyle.

Most importantly, it keeps my head clear - more than any drug or treatment available. And that's a good thing.

Now with my Navy physical fitness test coming up next month, I'm going to actually try making good marks. That's a first for Petty Officer Tross. I'm also going to shoot for an outstanding after this one. Call it what you will. I call it growing up.

Maybe we should call it training for the big match - life.

Shralpine Shredows

So I don't have any footage or great words to describe what video can show. This was some of the best consistency I've ever had - in snow that is. Enjoy.

My Turn

O.k., maybe turns.

Here's 1/4 of my descent from Crater Crest, just beneath the Sawtooth Ridge on the edge of Yosemite, California.

From Jason Tahoe Trip

I Miss Squaw

And here's why. I didn't get to ski Squaw while I was in California these past eight days. But my game is looking good and I'd like start working toward something like this video. It's an April powder day on the fingers - right off the KT-22 Chair.

Smallest route off those cliffs is at least 30 feet.

Even after four years, I still haven't gotten sick of this clip.

And Just Like That

I duck and I dodge. I dance and I move. I've done it again.

One refreshing break and it's back at em' again - and shined this time. I didn't know I was going to be able to duck or dodge this one. My training is paying off now.

How It Really Happens

Fighting an opponent in the ring is the easy part. You just train and get experience fighting. Well maybe I've simplified things a bit, but it's not too far off. This is the simple recipe for winning fights.

But what about being a winning fighter?

Some people just do and others do not. And, like many other great fighters, I've been mislead - yet again.

The failure is o.k., but its recurrence is not. And the failure has happened again.

People know the Champ is a strong and talented fighter and they cannot win in the ring. That's why most attack from outside of the ring. You don't see our opponents face-to-face the same way out here.

These are the things that happen behind closed doors without you, but have everything to do with you . Knowing these things are happening before they affect you is good. Preventing them is absolutely required.

This issue requires a different kind of training. This requires me to think beyond what I have done before, and while I still have time.

These last rounds have been intense - I've taken a beating. But - I'm winning my fights. Now the politics and the fans.

And you wanted to know why?

I know why I left this place

I know why I left this side of the industry

I know why I was getting that oddly familiar response

I know why I was getting that oddly familiar look

I know why I would rather be home

I know why I made all the personal decisions to be be where I live right now

I know why they all bullshit till they're blue

I know why they are fake

I'm beginning to realize even more.