After skiing with the family, we snuck out for a lap in the backcountry amidst the freshly coated Christmas trees. I’ve spent a bunch of time this week teaching my nieces and nephews how to ski. My hope is that their memories of the time we spent together in nature will last long after they outgrow their toys. Time spent together outside is the best gift we can give each other. Photo: @rob.lea
Merry Christmas! We woke up to a White Christmas at home in Utah and are so excited to spend our first holiday as Mr. and Mrs. with family, friends and on skis. Happy holidays from our family to yours! Photo: @leecohen_pics
Everyday, I’m so glad he said yes. To all the ladies who are thinking about popping the question this engagement season, do it! There is nothing wrong with proposing to your man, for speaking up and asking for what you want. Only the insecure person is emasculated by a woman who speaks up and asks for what she wants. I can’t wait to celebrate our first Christmas as a married couple. Love you always @rob.lea. Photo: @erinorthcutt #climbforequality
I moved to Utah with my family when I was 15. My first season, I skied in a rain jacket and sunglasses. I didn’t have goggles. I never had a new pair of skis until a sponsor gave them to me. I learned how to ski when I was a kiddo, but I never raced or skied competitively growing up. I did take a few lessons and I cherished every one of them. Snow sports can be incredibly difficult to get in to, especially as an adult. That’s one of the things I really appreciated about our stay at @clubmedalpedhuez. Their packages are a relatively affordable way to go skiing. It can seem so overwhelming to go for a day of skiing, much less a ski vacation, sometimes I question whether it’s worth it. But at the end of the day, it’s experiences like these that we cherish more than any thing. Happy mini-moon, @rob.lea. Here’s to our first few months of marriage.
When I was a kid growing up in Minnesota, I used to struggle with overwhelming sadness during the winter months. I remember when I first learned about Seasonal Affective Depression, I felt a wave of relief. I finally had language to describe what I had been feeling. I also learned that skiing was a treatment. Skiing and mountaineering have become a way of coping with depression. It’s a way of finding light in the darkness of my mind. It’s a way to survive the dark winter months. I thought I’d share this today on the winter solstice. After today, every day will get a little bit brighter. happy winter solstice to all my friends in the Northern Hemisphere. I’m so grateful to have a space here where I can talk about this stuff. Thanks for your kindness and compassion. Photo: taking in the sunset from camp 3 at 27,000’ on Everest/Chomolungma, a moment from 2019 that I’ll never forget!