2006 in the Wasatch, my TR

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04-19-2006, 09:45 PM
JoshP

2006 in the Wasatch, my TR

Thought it was time to post my first trip report.
2006 was the best season of skiing I have ever had. Sure the snow was great, and that had alot to do with it, but this was also my first season in the backcountry. I lost my stoke with the ski areas, and to be honest, I didn't really give a damn about skiing anymore. Now I am jacked about it.
Dawn patrols might be my favorite aspect of skiing in the Wasatch. Nothing can beat getting a couple of laps of perfect turns in while all the morons you work with are snoozing.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...fb1976e8b-.jpg
The top of Columbine bowl in LCC. That is me, by the way.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...bf2cd40ae-.jpg
Tradygirl ripping skins apart at 5 below zero at 5:00 in the morning at White Pine trailhead.

I love the work that it takes to get in a run. Friends at work can't believe someone would slog for hours for a few face shots. To me, perfect snow is just icing on the cake.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...669af10ca-.jpg
Trady skinning into upper Maybird Gulch.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...4258cbcf8-.jpg
Trady in Days.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...b6c96416e-.jpg
My first avalanche, in upper days. Amazing to see it rip underneath of me. (hope it is my last for a long time, by the way)

There is so much amazing scenery in Little and Big Cottonwood alone, and alot of it you can't experience without your lungs, a pair of skis, and a sunny Saturday afternoon.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...a9a8b000c-.jpg
Another cliche shot of the Pfeifferhorn. Hey, I like it though.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...9626b9e87-.jpg
I can't wait to ski Superior.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...3097af93c-.jpg
Me in Grizzly Gulch.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/600x800x1/...93eeaee0d-.jpg
Tracks in Maybird, mine is on the left.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...bc04bbe7d-.jpg
Maybird Gulch.

I probably got out more this year than I have in the last ten combined, and I didn't even get after it until February. I am going to milk this years snow out as long as I can, and I am already thinking about next years dawn patrols and weekend tours. Hopefully I will have a decent camera next year, and the patience to whip it out on occasion to get some better shots.
04-19-2006, 09:50 PM
Endlessseason

Way to post up a nice first TR!
04-19-2006, 09:52 PM
Poop~Ghost

SWEET!

My first season in CO backcountry... I get the same raised eyebrows at work when I mention that I got 5 powder runs in that morning and it's not even 10:30am.
04-20-2006, 08:29 AM
tradygirl

Those pics look vaguely familiar....it's almost like I've been there before. :D Nice TR. It makes me sad that it's coming to an end. We'll be back up there soon enough!
04-20-2006, 08:33 AM
Trackhead

Quote:

Originally Posted by tradygirl

It makes me sad that it's coming to an end. We'll be back up there soon enough!

There's atleast 8 weeks of legit skiing left. Don't be sad yet, go ski corn!

Then ride the tram at Snowbird to Pipeline throughout July if you still haven't had enough.
04-20-2006, 08:45 AM
CS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trackhead

There's atleast 8 weeks of legit skiing left. Don't be sad yet, go ski corn!

Then ride the tram at Snowbird to Pipeline throughout July if you still haven't had enough.

East side, Mammoth, Tioga, Ease side, Mammoth, Tioga, East side, Mammoth, Tioga. That is all.
04-20-2006, 08:53 AM
LeeLau

Welcome to the world of backcountry Josh. I am in envy of SLC'ers ability to ski dawn patrols so close to the city; you live in a beautiful area = always good to see people out enjoying it.
04-20-2006, 11:34 AM
upallnight

THat's awesome, Josh! Looks like your first season in the backcountry was enlightening. Thanks for taking the time to share.

I like the idea of a "season in review" --I'm thinking of the same thing, although I now regret not stopping at all for photos during all the powder cycles we had here the first 2 months of the season.

That photo of your tracks coming out of the slide is scary! Be careful out there. Every day you out learn a bit more (we all do), and I hopt that you continue to make safe, conservative decisions while you go through that process.

Best wishes for a lifetime of BC turns!
04-20-2006, 10:20 PM
boarderline

Nice TR, and great pics!

Curious for educational reasons (I want to learn safe BC protocol): In the photo below, did the slide on looker's right happen before or after you triggered the slide on the left? Did you intentionally ski cut it at the rollover to try to release the slab or did the release surprise you? It looks like you made a turn (ski cut?), the slab went, and you straightlined to try to get out of there.

http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...b6c96416e-.jpg
04-20-2006, 11:22 PM
powstash

Nice TR Josh - gotta got with TH on this one - there is still plenty of season left. I think last year I had 10 days of skiing between May, June and July and that was in the middle of building a house - as in I was doing the building. Don't hang those sticks up yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshP

http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...fb1976e8b-.jpg
The top of Columbine bowl in LCC. That is me, by the way.
http://joshp.zoto.com/img/800x600x1/...bf2cd40ae-.jpg
Tradygirl ripping skins apart at 5 below zero at 5:00 in the morning at White Pine trailhead.

You've got the right boots but you could go for losing some pounds on your binding set up.:biggrin:

Tell Tradygirl she should be skinning up at home where it's a bit warmer. If she shoes up for a DP with me and pulls out the skins she'd better have some tunes or something to keep her company on her solo skin up cause we aint waiting ;)
04-21-2006, 04:25 AM
JoshP

Boarderline- I had a feeling that a slab would rip out on that rollover, to be honest. That morning the wind was insane, and conditions deteriorated rapidly. The slab to skiers left ripped after mine, my friend pulled it out doing a slope cut. He had the same hunch.

Powstash- Amen on the binding diet, worst mistake I have made so far as far as gear are Freeride bindings. Jumping in, they seemed like the most user friendly setup, in hindsite, we both should have gone Dynafit. Live and learn, I guess. And we are definitely going to milk this baby til the bitter end. ;)
04-21-2006, 05:25 AM
Trackhead

Quote:

Originally Posted by powstash

Tell Tradygirl she should be skinning up at home where it's a bit warmer. If she shoes up for a DP with me and pulls out the skins she'd better have some tunes or something to keep her company on her solo skin up cause we aint waiting ;)

I wear my boots on the drive up. Let's see you drive that Suby down from Kamas with your boots on.