Words by S Nathaniel, photos by S Nathaniel and Mark Sullivan

How often do adventures present themselves to you? It is probably more often then we would all like to admit, we just don't always recognize the opportunity and act. This was a rare incident in recent times that I did.

The last time I rolled out of Vermont with a board bag in June I was heading to New Zealand. Seven years later, I hastily packed my bags and scurried out of Bristol with my eyes set on the still ample snow of Utah.

It took half a lifetime to get to Utah, but finally at around 1 am we dusted down. Mark picked me up at the airport and we headed to Technine Guru E-Stone's crib to consume many 3.2 "beers". Described in Snowboarder Mag below:

Wind power bigwig Seth Beck flew in from Vermont to ride this weekend after being super stoked on my posts from last week. After picking him up from the airport, we headed to E-Stone's macking SLC spread, putting a few beers back with E-Stone. Next thing we knew it was 4am and time to get some sleep.
www.snowboardermag.com

I woke up feeling like I had drank real beer, though I knew I had not, blame it on the lack of sleep. After spending half the morning breaking into Mark's rocket box, we zipped up to Snowbird with crew in tow.

Conditions, ridiculous. It was 60 or something, warm but enjoyable, boatloads of snow and nearly clear skies. We were rolling with the pro shred Deadlung and were shown all the fun stuff straight away.

I was riding like particular crap which I blame on sucking not on lack of sleep or the 3.2 beer. Luckily for me, Mark was quick on the trigger and actually caught the mere second when my fingertips touched the board on the above AssPhish.

Not a whole lot else happened, well outside of riding full coverage on June 14th and hanging with Smoky. I was enthused.

We jetted a bit early and cruised back to Stone's for some poolaxing and sushi.

With a few more hours of rest and a few less "beers", we tackled the hill with vengeance and caffeine. To start the day, I felt really solid and light on my feet. Roast beef grabs for everyone. Well Roast beast grabs for me, nothing all that new.

When I put on a pair of snowboard boots, I automatically turn into a 12 year old dork. Luckily I am not the only one that "suffers" from such an aliment. Though I have never rode with Mark or Joe before, we clicked quickly and had a blast ripping around the mountain.

Apparently news of my domination of a certain double diamond made it all the way back to VT, where Jen smiled with pride. Having concluded the best June 15th ever, I hopped on my redeye back to VT. Slept some and then hopped on the 6 am flight the following day to Detroit. Now I am heading back to VT and then to Boston and then to VT and then to Detroit and then to NYC and then to Maine and then to Detroit and then to VT. Whew I sure am glad I took the adventure when it presented itself.

Earlier this week a friend invited me out to Utah for the closing weekend at Snowbird. On Thursday, I scored some tickets to SLC with points and the surprise adventure was under way. I will be riding tomorrow and Sunday and partying with the SLC snowboard crew. Photos and tales to come. Now back to this $7 warm Bud in JFK.

Ride hard, curve large - BECK