It's MLK weekend, and Tim and I are in SLC, well, Midvale, but same thing. Things are good and Utah is rocking.
Just like last year, we're hitting an identical weather pattern. Week or two with no snow, mega blue and sunny yesterday, slightly overcast and cloudy today. First order of business on Friday was of course, demolishing the continental breakfast at the Days Inn South. I might also add that Tim and myself were greeted as returning VIPs by the Bobby Sharp himself.
So after making a few waffles and drinking an uncomfortable amount of coffee, off to the UTA bus, next stop Snowbird. The Bird is in fact, the word. As usual it offered the most amazing steeps and lines around. Again, even without fresh snow, great runs and packed powder were abundant. The added bonus of Utah being sans fresh snow is the crowds are just not here. No wait on anything and enjoying the great sun made for an amazing day of near beers and cruising. With TK on the planks and myself on the board we cruised around all the favorite spots: Black Forest, Mineral Basin, and Peruvian. Even after riding this place last year, I am constantly blown away by just how terrifyingly steep nearly all the terrain is here.
Because no one hill is going to have "epic pow" this weekend, TK and I decided a exploration was critical. Today's mission was one of Solitude. Fun Fact about Utah: Never ask advice from morons that probably don't ski about where to go and where to ride. Solitude, what was claimed last year as a boring waste of time hill, turned out to be mega gnarly, easily on par with Snowbird or Brighton and quickly became of favorite.
Solitude had every kind of terrain imaginable: Steeps like the Bird, wide open cruisers like A Basin's main face, Craggy bowls like Jackson, trees like in the North East. The added bonus of Solitude is just that, no one is here. And because of that, snow, and I mean actual powder was everywhere. If you had told me it hadn't snowed here for two weeks I would call you a liar. All the terrain off the high lifts and within the woods was rip-able and full of stuff to push around. Enough good things can't be said about this place, so I'll just sum it up this way: next year I'll be going to Solitude first.
Tomorrow's mission will continue the plan of Blasting Back the Cottonwood Canyons. We're off to Brighton to go through the awesome woods, down the death steeps of Rein's Run, and through the gnar gnar bowl off the Miley Chair. Check out all the pictures to the right.
Giddy'up.
1.16.2010
1.13.2010
Bri/DK Fest X Recap (Bolla, Woods, and Pow)
Enchanted Madness (I Fail as Survivor Man)
Before Christmas I shot up to the Catskills to do a mini Exit 20 tour. Lodging provided by the very comfortable Enchanted Valley Cleary Lodge. Some may perhaps remember the onesie-based antics that took place there last year around this time. Because this was a solo trip, I figured it might be fun to live blog my isolation evening in the woods of Cornwallisville. (well time-delayed live blog). The following are the uncut musings I jotted down while sequestered in the Enchanted Valley for what turned out to be a very exciting evening. Read below the fold for the uncut feed.
12.29.2009
Headwall Hiking (Round II)
After the fun had yesterday up on the headwall and the overall blown out status of both I and BP's legs, a 800 step hike straight up sounded like a perfect idea... twice. Conditions were worse than yesterday. Snow was crispy and harder and the light was much much flatter. But the hike path was ever more packed than yesterday. With a better choice of gear and hydration, we put our heads down and charged on up.
I hit the top line twice and found some good snow and easy turns. Cupid was convinced there was a way through the cliff line that would let us hit the good snow we came up there for. Sure enough after following the lines of a ski patroller who shot down, we found the line. After the second hike up we followed the line down and hit some of the best snow of the trip.
The lower mountain might have been a bit gnarly today, but sure enough, if you hiked for your turns, you could find some awesome stuff.
I hit the top line twice and found some good snow and easy turns. Cupid was convinced there was a way through the cliff line that would let us hit the good snow we came up there for. Sure enough after following the lines of a ski patroller who shot down, we found the line. After the second hike up we followed the line down and hit some of the best snow of the trip.
The lower mountain might have been a bit gnarly today, but sure enough, if you hiked for your turns, you could find some awesome stuff.
12.28.2009
Hiking for Pow (Jackson Christmas Day 3)
After a quick run down (read 35 minutes of riding) from the tram to the base, the conditions just weren't there. So we headed out to Apres Vous and found some decent cruisers that were still intact. Again though, cover pushed away quickly and it felt quite North East style.
So, the 11:00 A.M. daily plan went into effect: Beers at the summit of the Gondy. Because of the crazy inversion here, the -4 at the base was actually closer to 25 at the summit. Unbelivable sun too made for an amazing chill session. Shockingly enough, I got antsy. I kept glancing behind the Gondy building where the hike up for the headwall is. A long packed out trail stretching up through the trees and climbing some 1000 feet to the top of Casper peak. Cupid was content will chilling so I grabbed the board, stripped off a few layers, and started the hike.
Initially, I thought I might only hike up a few dozen feet and take a quick pow turn in the untracked, but easily accessible area. As I started trudging up it though, the packed out trail - due to skiers boots - made for an easier hike. It was like a stairmaster from hell, and the altitude didn't make it any easier, but all and all, it was doable. With my head down, I just kept plodding away. In minutes, silence and the bowl opened up more and more. Great powder could be seen and now I realized how I was really up there. Perhaps an avalanche beacon would have been a good idea... Don't worry, I'm sure I could count on Cupid sitting at the bar to save me.
Eventually I saw a higher pitch and thought I might make it to there. After a few instances of this I figured I climbed several hundred vertical feet, and was continuing to make good progress. Finally though, I called it quits once another super steep pitch started. I saw a good area that still had a lot of snow and few tracks and shimmied over to strap in. Now, I noticed just how far I climbed and how gnarly the terrain got. It also dawned on me that I had no idea which way to go down, and no idea where the cliffs were.
As Ski Patrol famously told us, "Taste Death, Live Life." So, with that attitude, I dropped in and make some sick pow turns if I do say so myself. Then, I realized I was now in it, and was standing in front of a mondo cliff. Now, I knew I really should have figured out where the safe line is, and had no choice but to unstrap myself and hike up a bit and then over. The precipice I creeped across got gnarly and gnarly and I had to traverse over some 100-200 feet. Finally, I saw what looked like a rideable way down. Though, it was definitely the gnarliest chute I've ever considered going down.
Back into the board, pointing the nose down and making a few jump turns, I launched down the chute and somehow popped out on the otherside. Finally I had a view of the top of the gondola where I started the hike and make some slow turns through the lower bowl. Success.
Once Justin got off of work for his ski break, we made a beeline for the hike up Casper we did yesterday. Today though, the waist high we trudged through was packed where we stepped from yesterday and access was way easier. The Re-Session was on and many fun rock hits were had.
All and all, a great day of pow and fun on what everyone else bitched about as an awful day of hardpack.
So, the 11:00 A.M. daily plan went into effect: Beers at the summit of the Gondy. Because of the crazy inversion here, the -4 at the base was actually closer to 25 at the summit. Unbelivable sun too made for an amazing chill session. Shockingly enough, I got antsy. I kept glancing behind the Gondy building where the hike up for the headwall is. A long packed out trail stretching up through the trees and climbing some 1000 feet to the top of Casper peak. Cupid was content will chilling so I grabbed the board, stripped off a few layers, and started the hike.
Initially, I thought I might only hike up a few dozen feet and take a quick pow turn in the untracked, but easily accessible area. As I started trudging up it though, the packed out trail - due to skiers boots - made for an easier hike. It was like a stairmaster from hell, and the altitude didn't make it any easier, but all and all, it was doable. With my head down, I just kept plodding away. In minutes, silence and the bowl opened up more and more. Great powder could be seen and now I realized how I was really up there. Perhaps an avalanche beacon would have been a good idea... Don't worry, I'm sure I could count on Cupid sitting at the bar to save me.
Eventually I saw a higher pitch and thought I might make it to there. After a few instances of this I figured I climbed several hundred vertical feet, and was continuing to make good progress. Finally though, I called it quits once another super steep pitch started. I saw a good area that still had a lot of snow and few tracks and shimmied over to strap in. Now, I noticed just how far I climbed and how gnarly the terrain got. It also dawned on me that I had no idea which way to go down, and no idea where the cliffs were.
As Ski Patrol famously told us, "Taste Death, Live Life." So, with that attitude, I dropped in and make some sick pow turns if I do say so myself. Then, I realized I was now in it, and was standing in front of a mondo cliff. Now, I knew I really should have figured out where the safe line is, and had no choice but to unstrap myself and hike up a bit and then over. The precipice I creeped across got gnarly and gnarly and I had to traverse over some 100-200 feet. Finally, I saw what looked like a rideable way down. Though, it was definitely the gnarliest chute I've ever considered going down.
Back into the board, pointing the nose down and making a few jump turns, I launched down the chute and somehow popped out on the otherside. Finally I had a view of the top of the gondola where I started the hike and make some slow turns through the lower bowl. Success.
Once Justin got off of work for his ski break, we made a beeline for the hike up Casper we did yesterday. Today though, the waist high we trudged through was packed where we stepped from yesterday and access was way easier. The Re-Session was on and many fun rock hits were had.
All and all, a great day of pow and fun on what everyone else bitched about as an awful day of hardpack.
12.27.2009
Santa Shreds Jackson (Ho, Ho, Ho)
Today, Santa came to Jackson. Okay, it was me in my crappy Santa suit still covered in beer and liquor from Santarchy 09. But, Santa came ready to party. Again, the mountain's early season conditions, while not ideal, were awesome off the second tram car. Ridding down Rendevous Bowl at 9:17 A.M. is a good thing.
Great runs were head in the early morning hour and exploration occurred. One trip found us down a bowl lacking snow but having many many bumps the size of Volkswagons.
The Santa suit though, is a very good. While most greeted me with a smile or a Merry Christmas, a few scrooges just looked irritated. They get coal. As does the child that smacked Santa with his glove. I know where he sleeps. He will feel Santa's wraith.
After a very festive round of warm rumplemeinze and Silver Bullets at the Bridger Gondy, Santa and Cupid were feeling quite loose. The intoxication though lead to finding some great lines through the woods.
Sidecar came out in style, grabing a pair of skis and hitting Teewinot. Later on Justin Credible showed up and hiking missions commenced. Up a line above Casper and again above Moran Faces. A short 10-15 minute hike through waist deep snow led to the best turns of the trip.
What will the rest of the week hold? Powder hikes? Spicy Margs? I'm sure all of the above.
Great runs were head in the early morning hour and exploration occurred. One trip found us down a bowl lacking snow but having many many bumps the size of Volkswagons.
The Santa suit though, is a very good. While most greeted me with a smile or a Merry Christmas, a few scrooges just looked irritated. They get coal. As does the child that smacked Santa with his glove. I know where he sleeps. He will feel Santa's wraith.
After a very festive round of warm rumplemeinze and Silver Bullets at the Bridger Gondy, Santa and Cupid were feeling quite loose. The intoxication though lead to finding some great lines through the woods.
Sidecar came out in style, grabing a pair of skis and hitting Teewinot. Later on Justin Credible showed up and hiking missions commenced. Up a line above Casper and again above Moran Faces. A short 10-15 minute hike through waist deep snow led to the best turns of the trip.
What will the rest of the week hold? Powder hikes? Spicy Margs? I'm sure all of the above.
12.26.2009
Boloners in Jackson (Round II)
BP and myself, as well as sidecare and the fam, are in Jackson Hole again. Right now a lot of condo time apres action is in effect and we're all having some cockatails after a long day of riding.
Conditions this year are real early season style. Very little is actually open off the top. From the tram ride up you can access the rendezvous bowl and one groomer cat track all the way back to the base. There are a mix of bumped out bowls here and there on the way down and a good deal of other rando cuts you can take here and there. The first half of the day was great and offered great groomed cruisers as well as very rideable bumps. As the day went on and the crowds picked up and the snow pushed off. The total lack of snow hitting Jackson this season is causing real problems for the hill and the constant moans of the locals is audible. These people don't know how spolied they are. Boloners know what true ice/hard pack is, and that is not here. Great long runs. Big turns. Sweet pow stashes. Jackson Hole is an incredible place and we all couldn't be more happy.
Pictures will be very accessible to the right.
Conditions this year are real early season style. Very little is actually open off the top. From the tram ride up you can access the rendezvous bowl and one groomer cat track all the way back to the base. There are a mix of bumped out bowls here and there on the way down and a good deal of other rando cuts you can take here and there. The first half of the day was great and offered great groomed cruisers as well as very rideable bumps. As the day went on and the crowds picked up and the snow pushed off. The total lack of snow hitting Jackson this season is causing real problems for the hill and the constant moans of the locals is audible. These people don't know how spolied they are. Boloners know what true ice/hard pack is, and that is not here. Great long runs. Big turns. Sweet pow stashes. Jackson Hole is an incredible place and we all couldn't be more happy.
Pictures will be very accessible to the right.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
