Kelly Holland

This photo by Steve Lloyd was originally lined up for the January cover of Skiing…but it got bumped. It still made the cut for a full page in the same month’s issue, but it would have been even cooler as a cover. Steve used his artistic vision wisely and took a beautiful pic, a shot that has become one of my favorites. We got this shot just after sunrise on a morning tour up Mount Superior, across the street from Snowbird. Steve scoped out the dead tree, and with a little luck and timing….we got it. I think it’s a unique shot, so I figured I’d post it up.

I’ve spent the entire fall and this winter in a life foreign to me….it has felt like a completely new identity. While I’ve always seen this as a challenge and adventure, it taken some time to adjust. I’ve sat in front of the computer screen on multiple occasions with a blank stare; I just haven’t known what to write.

(Nanuq has to humor me while I dress him in human clothes, but he’s happy) 

There’s no pics of high, snow capped mountains, gnarly couloirs, or beautiful summits. My fear has shifted from avalanches and high-risk exposure to pharmacology and pathology exams. I’ve traded my freedom of the mountains for an opportunity to gain a freedom greater than I’ve known before….the freedom to help and heal. It’s taken me these last several months to see that my adventure here may be subtle in comparison to before, but vast in its own way.

I’ve struggled to find comfort in this path that I’ve bolted my feet upon, but I finally feel that there is a lot to share while I’m here. I’ve seen a lot….I’ve learned a lot. I’ve seen illnesses and pain that I’d never known. I’ve seen a man die in a matter of minutes. And I’ve seen people heal and gain hope. It may not be the glamorous Aguille de Midi, but it’s beautiful in a different way. It’s a detour back to the path I knew before, and I want to share it.

(Christmas time in Durham) 

Durham is my home for now, and I had an awesome Christmas break that allowed me to visit my home in Montana and my buds in Utah. It was a nice breather, and I have a highly anticipated spring break coming up after this week of school. Florida and sun, here I come!

(Alta at Christmas break with Rach and David)

(The family at Bridger)

(Ice skating Christmas Eve)

(My brother the Lobster…I live vicariously through Wade while he studies in Sevilla, Spain this spring and dresses in funny outfits for Carnival.)

The Duke Chapel in the background

I’m officially about seven weeks into my nursing studies at Duke…and it’s great. North Carolina has been a major change, but I needed it. Besides, it’s easier to focus without my usual distractions…but I do already miss the mountains, and I’m starting to get a little itch for the snow. I actually thought I’d last a little longer before I missed the snow…who would have guessed. I’ve turned into that internet geek that surfs every ski associated website that I know…I just recently ordered my copy of TGR’s new flick, and my biggest excitement that I’ve had thus far out here was when I realized that Warren Miller will be playing just down the street in November…yes! I think this year and a half away from my usual mountain scene will lend some well needed appreciation and craving for the mountains…I’ve been spoiled for too long and have never know any differently.  Welcome to the South!

Duke University

 I just started clinicals in the hospitals this past week, so things will only get more and more interesting. I’ll be learning how to give shots in the next couple weeks, which is crazy! I can’t believe somebody is going to trust me to stab them with a big needle…I’m a little nervous, but it’s pretty cool. If there’s anything I’ve learned so far, it’s that I have a lot to learn. It’s a lot of work, but I like the challenge.

West Villages swimming pool…my apartment building

Bright Leaf Square…one block from my apartment…cute spot with restaurants and bars.

 There are a lot of interesting opportunities over the next  14 months and I’m sure I’ll have stories to tell. I have an exam on Wednesday, and pathophysiology is constantly biting me in the ass, so I should get to studying. But, let it be known, I feel good about this new chapter….the chapter between snow falls. I have the good company of Nanuq and what’s left of my box of pink wine from Blancardy….can’t complain. Vive North Carolina! 

I’ve done a horrible job of updating, but the last few weeks have been a complete whirl wind….including my final days in France, back to Utah for two days, a four-day road trip with my mom through America’s southern states, and a new begining in Durham, North Carolina. I’m officially a nursing student at Duke University. I can’t express how strange life feels right now…yet so exciting.

 My last few weeks in France were amazing, almost more than I can express in words, or show in pictures….a magical dinner in the mountains of Cevenne with a wonderful French man, another beautiful day on the moto, pina coladas by the pool, midnight skinny dipping, a tour through the old Roman city of Nime, and good times with good friends….I miss it so much. I boarded my plane for America just moments after leaving one of Montpellier’s infamous disco techs…an all-night-er, full of dancing, was the way to do it…I slept like a baby on the 10-hour flight from Paris to SLC.

Pina coladas, poolside with Delphine

The crew on a day full of moto (Delphine, me, Laure, Alain, and David….my french family)

Lavender of Languedoc…one of Southern France’s wonders

 My last night in Montpellier…several hours before my flight.

I left a special place when I left Blancardy this summer. I left a best friend that I’ve shared countless adventures with over the past six years, I left a love, and I left some incredible people that became unforgettable friends. Rachael Burks has been at my side for so long via roommate, ski buddy, travel companion, or just straight up best friend that leaving Blancardy had a major significance…I was taking an entirely different path for the first time. Leaving was hard.

Sunset on  horseback…Rachael does Blancardy right.

More moto with Delphine, David, and me (with the really big head)

Best Friends….I’m pretty sure the best ever…and Team Struggle forever….Equipe Galerer!

From the moment I landed in Salt Lake City I had one and one half days to unpack, do laundry, repack, throw the dog in the truck, and get on the road. My loving and awesome mother joined me on my journey East.

I had less than a week to make my orientation at Duke. After four days in the car and a pit stop at Mesa Verde, Colorado we pulled into Durham on a Saturday morning. I found my new studio, which I love, moved in, and accepted my new existence as a Blue Devil, far, far away from the snowy mountains of the West. But I also embraced the realization that I have a whole new journey and a great education in nursing ahead of me…after sixteen months, I’ll be a nurse. I’m stoked on my new challenge, and so far, I’m pretty stoked on North Carolina. It’s different, but it’s great…and really green! It has been said more than once this summer, so I’ll say it again….there are no good byes…only see you later. So, to all my friends that I’ve left behind, including my best friend in all the world, see you later….and thank you for being awesome.

After several days of bad weather in Courmayeur we were never able to climb. But on the bright side, we had a lot of fun at Parco adventuro, the Roman spa, and conquering the professional eating tour…it was great! After Courmayeur, Rach and I finished off our little side trip with a day and a night in Chamonix. We hit up the Fete de Biere, and we had a wonderful dinner at the cute little restaurant in Argentiere that Aurelien’s girlfriend runs…it was magnifique.

Parco Adventuro…maybe not the best idea for someone with a fear of heights.

Team Parco Adventuro….Rach, Papa Burks, Jacapo, moi, and Fred Arne

A stop at the Italian butchers….for wine and sausage. Jacapo’s friend Geppo hooked us up…it pays to run the family business.

Some girls hope for diamonds on their birthday….but not Rachael. All it takes is a PBR to light up her face….a PBR smuggled all the way from the good US of A.

After five warm-up courses, the main plate of seafood finally arrived during Rachael’s b-day lunch. I thought the first one was our meal, but oh how I was wrong. It was a four hour feast. I thought our second course of shrimp was our dessert.

Italian toga party.

The Americans bringing sexy back with the Sprinkler…the Italians weren’t too receptive.

It’s not quite the same space as a fancy American SUV.

We left Chamonix, and after five more hours in the rental car, and few missed exits along the way, we made it back to Blancardy at one in the morning. It was nice to be back….our home away from home. It has been a good week of the usual….a little pool time, some wine bottling, some vineyard work, a glass of rose here and there, and a lot of really good food. To make it even better, yesterday was a full day of the moto through Cevenne, accomponied by a really cool swimming hole, the silk museum (the history in this region is really cool) and a surreal dinner….when I didn’t think it could get any better, it did.

Rachael and the Blancardy boys (Alain and David)…outside the Cevenne Musuem

Team Blancardy…sunning by the swimming hole

Our crystal clear pool….

Rachael and Kelly….American floaters…

pretty and bronzed…..

and graceful in the water…

The water at our swimming hole/picnic spot was ridiculously clear, and the temperature was such that even I’d swim. Nothing beats fresh french bread with a little pate for lunch….they even bought coke for me. Magical!!! The ride home was once again a beautiful tour that weaved through the mountains of Cevenne, one little village after another….the views were so mesmerizing that it almost hurt. I love the moto!

After an hour of chaos and a flailing attempt to navigate the streets of Paris (including a serious bottoming out of the rental car….apparently the Pugeot doesn’t hop the bus lane mediums so well after all) Rach and I survived and made it to the A6. Five hours later we pulled into Chamonix and picked up Papa Burks. We stuck around for a couple beers and a coke at the Chambre Neuf before heading to Courmayeur, Italy. The Alps never cease to amaze me, and it felt so good to be back.

 As normal, Jacapo welcomed us with open arms and his usual Italian hospitality. We ate at the best little pizza joint in all the world before dropping off Papa Burks at the cutest little hotel in all the world (front and center view of Monte Bianco)….then Rach and I crashed with Jacapo at his lovely apartment. 

After a croissant and coffee this morning we decided to do some canyoneering….a pleasant, and unexpected surprise. I never expected to be canyoneering in Italy, but low and behold….we were. And it was amazing. Jacapo drove us about an hour toward Aosta and meandered up a small canyon. We threw on the wet suits, hiked ten minutes, and rappelled into a beautiful canyon and river….waterfalls, cliff jumps, natural water slides, and crystal clear water. It was awesome….and something that I’d never done. We topped off the day with a rappel from a super high bridge into the river….it terrified me, but I’m stoked that I did it. Jacapo is a great guide, easy to trust, and so much fun. He gave us a great day!

The summer in France only gets better and better by the day. Laure whips up a five-star gourmet meal every night in the time, and with the ease, that it takes me to nuke a frozen burrito, all while running her restaurant and caring for her two clueless Americans. A little work here and there, including that of the petite vineyard above, yields the wonders of Cevenne. I’ve been lazy on the updates, but some of the highlights from the past couple of weeks have included some impressive tractor driving by Rachael, a gorgeous tour of Cevenne via motorcycle, and a side trip to Paris/Radiohead concert….not too Shabby.

The wine cave….where magic happens…i.e. bottling wine.

The market in Ganges has a plethora of fresh French goodies….including olives. I look forward to fresh flowers every Friday.

The pool has been cleaned and is good to go…a little extra cool down during siest. Thank you Alain and David.

Alain made Rachael’s dreams come true by teaching her to drive the tractor. She drove, then hoisted me in the shovel to pick the prunes (plums) from the tree for the restaurant’s prune confiture and sorbet…it was pretty cool…we went pruning. The next day we sat cutting and pitting plums in the kitchen with Murielle….it was fun to see the fruit of our labor from tree to kitchen.

Rachael and Alain

Delphine and me…preparing to pick away at the plum tree.

 If that wasn’t cool enough, the boys at Blancardy took us for an afternoon cruise on their motos through the mountains of Cevenne. It was one cute village after another, winding through the mountains like a thread from an intricately woven tapestry….beautiful. Onion fields, farms, gorges, and rivers…it was breathtaking. At one point we stopped for an afternoon dip at the Cirque de Navacelle….a majestic swimming hole with waterfalls and crystal clear, blue-green water…could it get any better? A quick little pit stop on my dream ride….hum, okay. The Cirque de Navacelle, along the Vis River, is easily my new favorite swimming hole.

While David’s driving in the car scares the hell out of me…he was a great driver on the moto, and a great guide of Cevenne. I think I was only scared once…maybe twice.

 Rach and I stripped down to our skimmies for a quick dip at Navacelle before jumping back on the motos….I’ve learned very quickly that the french are not modest folk. No one thought twice when I was running around in white undies before taking a plunge…c’est natural.

A good view into one of several valleys within Cevenne…there’s a river somewhere down there, and some crazy narrow, European roads that brought us to the top…on motos.

 At one point our bums were in dire need of a break, the moto seat gets a little rough after a few hours, so we took another small break at an itty bitty little village and had a beer with Alain’s friend Tony and his wife….he’s a flamenco guitarist and she’s a flamenco dancer…how cool’s that?!

The last few days have been spent on a side trip to Arras for a Radiohead concert, and now Paris for two days. I hit the Louvre yesterday, and Notre Dame and the Eiffle Tower today. It’s been a short trip through Paris, but sweet. The people have been surprisingly wonderful and kind, and Rach and I have had two nights of amazing dining. So far, I’m impressed! Anyone who bitches about the attitude of the Parisians haven’t met the right ones.

Where are we?

Mcdonalds in Valance…just like home! America!

Oh, the Louvre…I feel so sophisticated. I even managed to sneak in a quick nap in the corner, amongst some of histories greatest masterpieces…somewhere between the Mona Lisa and some famous sculpture.

What a view of the Seine…on my way to Notre Dame.

Notre Dame….the line to go inside was too much for me. But the outside was magnifique! I love creepy, deeky gargoyles.

And the Eiffle Tower….what would Paris be without the Tour Eiffle? 

Tomorrow we head to Chamonix and Italy for Rachael’s birthday extravaganza on Mount Blanc.  I’m looking forward to the mountains and can’t wait to see everyone…the Alps are always amazing!

Mcdonald’s cheeseburger….count it.

Au revoir Utah summers. I somehow lucked out, once again, and have found myself in the South of France for the summer on a beautiful vineyard. Hum….yeah, I’m basically living the dream, and it rocks! The area is gorgeous and the wine is plenty. Not to mention that the people and family that we’re staying with are amazing, and just might be the kindest french folk that I’ve ever encountered. I have my best friend in the whole world, Ms. Rachael Burks, and some old work pants to take on the vineyard. A few hours of work here and there promises us a lot of wine, really good food, and a really cool 600-year-old beautiful Maison over our head at night…could it get any better?….probably not. 

Between bottling wine and nurturing the vines, Rach and I feel like real French workers of the land. Yet, in reality we’re are Les Americaines who get but a taste of the real deal and the pampering of Southern France’s hospitality. We get our hands dirty after a couple of hours in the vinyard and feel pretty cool.

The entirety of our trip, on top of my love for France, revolves around our desire to finally learn French. I figured that there’s no better way than to throw yourselves to the wolves and saturate the shit out yourself in French. There is very little English and our friends put a lot of effort into only speaking french all day, every day…and they’re patient enough to put up with our sad attempts to communicate. While my brain feels like it is going to explode on a regular basis, and I’m the idiot on the sidelines that can’t communicate to save my life, it is absolutely amazing to think how much I’ve learned in this past week since I arrived. I can only hope I learn  lot more, and if I’m lucky, speak a little before I leave. I love it…..lost in translation and all.

 I have fromage, vin, beautiful country, wild boar and mushroom hunting, and really great people. Is this for real? Someone may have to pinch me. Once again it paid off to be best friends with Rachael, as it is all because of her connection with her beautiful and cute friend Delphine who has welcomed us into her home with her parents Laure and Alain. They run an amazing little vinyard and bed&breakfast outside of Montpellier. www.blancardy.com.  The summer has just began, and it is only the beginning of another great adventure.

We did it, and we did it good! The Peak Performance Backcountry Tour for the Cure was awesome!!! Eleven of the coolest women around the Wasatch came together Saturday morning and headed into the backcountry…all in hopes of raising money and awareness for breast cancer. Okay, so we didn’t exactly make our intended destination, but the trip was so amazing that I could care less. It was a million laughs, a wonderful challenge, and 25 hours of pure adventure….and a little bit of pain. My body was definitely screaming by the end.

The final team consisted of me, Rachael Burks, Re Wikstrom, Vanessa Pierce, Jess Kunzer, Hannah Whitney, Molly Baker, Rebecca Selig, Quincy Young, Tanya Christensen, and Pip Hunt. We started at the White Pine trail head at 2 p.m. and skinned our way toward Hogum…slowly but surely. I managed to pack everything I could think of and dwarfed my incredibly large pack, so I was moving real slow. It was a miracle that I made it to camp all together. I appropriately acquired the name “Shorty Got Pack” and had everyone convinced that I was carrying a girl scout who could set up our camp and delve into all the needed survival skills for us…certainly not a bad idea for next time.

We had to skin up the Red Pine drainage, traverse the ridge into Maybird, and traverse one more ridge into the Hogum Fork drainage. The first third of the skin track was a uni-direction side hill skin…a complete pain in the ass, and I’m amazed that I didn’t loose my balance and eat it with the weight of my pack. I can’t tell you how relieved my left butt cheek was to climb uphill. In the midst of wondering if I’d even make it, I found relief in the company of my best friend in the whole world, Ms. Rachael Burks, who stuck by my side and kept me laughing…even when I reached the point of a death march.

As we reached the top of the ridge we had a clear view into Maybird. I was beat, but Vanessa was a driving motivation and kept us charging with the little light that we had left in the day. We charged on another hour before deciding to make camp at the base of the Pfeifer Horn. It was one ridge short of our intended camp spot, but it was a great location, and I was stoked to pitch a tent and give ‘er a rest.

Five tents sat under Pfeifer’s shadow with incredibly clear skies on a windless night. A fire was built–with Rebecca diligently on fire wood duty–and we managed to scrap together some pad thai. We then topped the evening off with a well deserved bottle of champagne and cookies…thank you girl scout.

I think we all froze that night, so we were stoked to see the sun in the morning. Unfortunately we got a late start, and when we skinned to the pass and saw the remaining distance to the Hypodermic Needle….we pulled the plug. Hogum revealed a bigger drainage than anyone pictured and a lot longer boot pack to the top of the Needle than the warming snow would permit. Our spirits were so high and enjoying the day regardless that I don’t think anyone was devastated…we opted for plan B and skied topless down “Pfeifer Pass”. We shralped a solid four turns and called it good before gathering our gear and heading down.

If hiking up wasn’t hard enough, skiing down with the “girl scout” was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. My legs and knee just didn’t have it in ‘em, so I took beaterdom to a whole new level. It was miraculous I made it off Red Pine ridge in one piece, and it certainly wasn’t done graciously. Luckily I was with some really rad chicks who saved my ass. Vanessa was nice enough to trade me packs…I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have made it otherwise. Yeah, she rocks.

 The Parking lot was sweet salvation and topped with extra awesomeness thanks to Adam Clark who dropped off a 12 pack of PBR…just waiting for our arrival. I don’t even like beer, but that PBR tasted great. The trip was awesome and worth every ounce of pain.  We topped the day off with some nachos and wings at the Porcupine…a beautiful ending.  I woke up today and still can’t walk quite normal, but I love it! Thank you to all the girls for making The Backcountry Tour for the Cure an amazing trip!

I also want to thank my mother for her inspiration and support for this event. Her strength and courage through her battle with breast cancer left an ineffable impression upon me, one that I hold dear to my heart. She is a survivor.

 Thank you to all those who gave pledges and support to our tour, especially Peak Performance, Backcountry.com, and Black Diamond. I appreciate the support greatly…thank you!

Trip Nicknames

Kelly “Shorty Got Pack” Holland
Vanessa “VD” Pierce
Vanessa “Bobsled” Pierce
Hannah “Pro Camper” Whitney
Rachael “The Lost Tourist” Burks
Rachael “R2D2″ Burks
Rachael “I swear I’m dex and you’re TJ” Burks
Rebecca “Fire Killer” Selig
Molly “5 Star” Baker
Jess “Loves the Jack” Kunzer
Jess “Theater Major” Kunzer
Quincy “The Hot Water Saved My Life” Young
Tanya “The Tiger” Christensen
Tanya “Sleepwalker” Christensen
Pip “I Didn’t Like These Boots Anyway” Hunt

The weather looks promising, and I think we’ll be able to navigate through the new snow and spring conditions, so we’re set to charge. The Backcountry Tour for the Cure women will meet between 11:30 and noon tomorrow at the swamp lot on Wasatch. Bagels will be provided as a pre-tour lunch, and once gear is sorted we can carpool to the White Pine trailhead. If you have major gear questions or issues arrive closer to 11:30.

It looks like we have a final count of 12 women for the event, so I’m stoked! In theory it shouldn’t take us too much time to meet up and rally. I’m estimating a four-hour skin into Hogum, so we should have no problem with daylight….even if we tack on a couple more hours to that…..you never know. God knows I’m not in awesome shape. Regardless, I’m super excited for this adventure and even more excited to promote the well being of breasts world wide…yeah!

Don’t hesitate to give me a call if you have any questions: 801-897-4467