Of a John: Last Days

My departure has come rather unexpectedly. I had planned on being here for one more week so that I could finish my projects, but it seems that I will be making the trip South a little bit sooner. I am sad that I have to leave, but the last couple of days have made it worth coming back!

Over the last week I have linked a wild bender into a full blown attack on two of my favorite mountains in the area.

It started with Afterski, which is a wild party up in the mountains preceded by several nights serious and varied partying. Helicopters shuttle people to and from the main event, which made it seem like a war zone. The party goes late into the night, and usually results in a interesting Sunday morning.

Over the days after the partying I saw my parents return home (due to the disappearance of the ash cloud), Avatar the movie (uhhh... OK), and way too much skiing.

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Afterski 1000 is the conclusion to the season. After this event event every store, shop, restaurant, hotel, and lift is closed until at least mid summer (June 21), if not until next December. It is a wild time highlighted by the finest of Swedish binge drinking.

Afterski 1000 starts at home until you somehow reach the parking lot at the lifts. From there, you take the lift up,

Norwegians enjoy Afterski too!

A bunch of happy pals, falling all over the place.

The way to the party is over the ski slope, and most of the journey was made on your ass or face.

The crowd at Afterski 1000: a couple hundred people dug into the hill side soaking up the sun.

Getting ready to do lawn work and play in the yard with my buddy Alfred and his mom Åsa.

Bocci Ball in the yard: not a bad way to have a pre-party.

The end of the partying scene was solidified after seeing my two homies finally take a break (Note that the dog was also taking a rest).

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After the partying, the skiing began. The first day was at Lil Skarven, which has become quite a hangout for me this season. The second day was on Lil Skarvens big brother, Stor Skarven. Both days resulted in sore legs, and a yearning to crush snow all next season. The Spring skiing here is the best I have ever done. The snow stays around until June, and if you go the the big mountains, you cannot tell the difference between Alaska and Sweden.

First blood: the first tracks of two days of a lot of vertical.

Checking out the potential lines.

My partner for my skiing this week was Emil Ohlsson, a truck driver from Stockholm who lives as a ski-bum in the winter.

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On the second day we went to the mountain next to Lil Skarven. Stor Skarven (Big Skarven) is a massive feature in the region, and has a facade of 200 meter cliffs. We chose a line that was very steep that lead to the base of the cliffs, and pretty much skied it until there was no snow left.

Emil skinning up Stor Skarven on Day 2 of the assault on the region.

Santa rides these things! A bunch of Reindeer were hanging at the top of Stor Skarven. I have never seen them run before, and the only way I can describe there gallop is by comparing them to giant rabbits.

The original steep and convex line on the South Shoulder of Stor Skarven. Skking here is the ultimate ego boost, because the cruxes are never too long.