LINES Imaginy Peaks Constant Change in the Frank Church Wilderness Area Words Sam Thackeray SPANNING APPROXIMATELY 2.3 million acres, the Frank Church wilderness area is the largest wilderness in the lower 48. The vast area is home to several of the country’s greatest multiday river trips, the second-deepest canyon in North America, herds of elk, deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, wolves, bald eagles and not much else. Our plan is to splitboard across its expanse, descending as many beautiful lines as we can along the way. It seems simple enough on paper. Reality will present its own challenges, though. Established in 1980 by Congress under the Wilderness Act, Frank Church was named for its champion, Senator Frank Church from Idaho, who essentially lost his job to see this area protected. It was not a popular decision among the people of lo-cal communities, whose livelihoods depended on cattle, logging and mining. The area’s full name is the Frank Church—River of No Return Wilderness Area, but to those who hold it near and dear, it’s the Frank. I’m traveling with Brian Peters, the kind of guy who possesses such overwhelming enthusiasm and positivity that occasionally it makes you want to punch him in the face. He is especially stoked on skiing and is tenfold excited about skiing in remote places. If the mission involves a lot of slogging and suffering, so much the better. Brian invited his friend Jess. Jess is mellow, friendly and thoughtful. He’s a bit of a philosopher and as fit and strong as they come, an ultramarathoner and ex-climbing ranger of 15 years. I was quite intimidated by his resume, but he is kind, pa-tient and great company on the skin track. As with any good adventure, our plans are in constant flux. Before we even set out on snow, we learn that an avalanche is blocking our access road and the county isn’t planning to clear it until late spring. No problem, we’ll just add a day and 15 more miles of travel. On the morning of our departure, I pull up to Brian’s house to pick up him and Jess and am immediately 032 THE SNOWBOARDER’S JOURNAL
The Snowboarder's Journal The Snowboarder's Journal 21.3: Page 32
