Wasatch Conditions 10-11

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Originally Posted by Trackhead

I wasn't referring to the Crow's Feet, I was referring about the line to the south, not sure of the name, I guess you call it the Dolphin. I just arbitrarily called it the Crow's Tail.

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Its the skunktail!!:fmicon:

Anyways, we skied some fckna sweet powder today :biggrin: :yourock: :wookie:
We broke trail and got first run, by the time of our second run another splitboarder had gotten a run (dude was rocking butter smooth turns) and on our way out roughly 64 more people were on their way up.

Here's some photo-graphical evidence that today's turns were just as good as any made this season. And here's the FB video, I might put on youtube in a while; http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/vid...93020&comments

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YOUTUBE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PJIWsWLNGc

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Originally Posted by Trackhead

I wasn't referring to the Crow's Feet, I was referring about the line to the south, not sure of the name, I guess you call it the Dolphin. I just arbitrarily called it the Crow's Tail.

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And I've heard others call it the St. Bernard Couloir. So we have people seeing it as either a dog, dolphin, or crow tail. It's time we assemble the Grand Wasatch Maggot Council (GWMC) and name this thing once and for all. I'll bring nachos....

The council can also settle other important issues like: What is our official greeting to the Powderbirds? Is it flipping the bird or mooning? We need to be more unified in our offensive gestures folks....

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Originally Posted by Mark H

The council can also settle other important issues like: What is our official greeting to the Powderbirds? Is it flipping the bird or mooning? We need to be more unified in our offensive gestures folks....

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Men, flip the bird or hold a 12 foot banner. Woman with nice booties, drop trow.

I have no desire to see Athey's white ass in photos, or in person. No offense Bob. Plus, I think Rusty Trombone might just like seeing that from the air anyway.

37 miles of nordic skiing today over the Mirror Lake Hwy. Warm temps, light winds, perfect snow.

My obs:Reids Peak South Couloir is good to go. Skied it a few years ago, and it appears nearly skiable from the top with some billygoating.

Reids is the peak on the right, with the south couloir shown.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...1/DSCF3750.jpg

Hayden looked ok, windswept as usual.
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/y...1/DSCF3759.jpg

Um... Wrong thread JONG. This is the 'wasatch' conditions thread.

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Originally Posted by TheMessenger

Um... Wrong thread JONG. The is the 'wasatch' conditions thread.

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seriously man, wtf?

^^^^ hook line and sinker. hahahaha don't feed the trolls. sucks sittin' in this cubicle thinking about all the good turns that were had this weekend. stay in the shade and to the north, watch your temps and be on the look out for the wet stuff.

Yesterday was a good day to be in the mountains..

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_b...0/P1050314.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_b...2/P1050328.JPG

Snow was a bit firm up top, turning to breakable crust... on the way down it rode pretty good though, almost corn like. East face would be almost suicidal... very hard looking snow.
Here is last weeks goodness..


And I know I spelled Argenta wrong in the vid.. whoops

Yesterday called for some advanced stream crossing techniques.

Skied west ramp of Argenta on Saturday. We found everything from pucker ice on facets up high, powder, the ice layer, corn, etc on the way down. That

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Originally Posted by sfotex

Yesterday called for some advanced stream crossing techniques.

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http://fritzrips.com/Gallery1/albums...n/12_G_002.jpg

^^^
Whatever, the log hump is the preferred method used by sensitive males in an ever changing society.

Last week was a pretty good week. Except for WPG. StraightChuter's post on how WPG failed with this: "Wasatch Powderbird Guides will fly in a manner that minimizes noise and visual impacts to backcountry skiers" was spot on since I was there on that same day in the same drainage with the chopper flying constantly more or less the whole time. Hearing the coptor' fly overhead en route to various locations is one thing. Sharing the same canyon with it nonstop for several hours is another...


On to other things, Tremper bringing the funneh this morning, "The snow is looking like Keith Richards--old, worn out and declining fast" and, "Second, there is a great helmet cam video of a snowmobiler in the Logan area mountains near Tony Grove that walked up to the edge of a cornice (Noooo, don't do it!)."

I was skiing up on Gobbler's Knob Saturday. When I arrived, Cabin Run only had 2 tracks on it from the day before. The Powderbirds were just starting to ski it. They shuttled skiers up and down for about an hour. Noisy and frustrating! By the time I got to the top, they had tracked it out from wall to wall. It's just so wrong! What's a good strategy to avoid those assholes?

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Originally Posted by sfotex

^^^
Whatever, the log hump is the preferred method used by sensitive males in an ever changing society.

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I here ya man, I here ya. Nothing beats dragging your nuts across a log every now and again. I mean, clearly he's enjoying it.
http://fritzrips.com/Gallery1/albums...n/13_G_002.jpg

I tried to do a Alta->Mineral tour saturday with a friend despite having a cold. It was just too nice of a day to not try and get out, plus I have toured sick before and done OK. Not this time, I bonked, hard. I completely fell apart like I never have before. I got slower and slower every step getting to pole line pass. After the quick ski into cardiff I was shivering hard despite it being a very warm day. I did not warm up after we started skinning again. By the time we had skinned the short way up to the small bench below the north face of superior what little energy I had left was gone. I looked at my friend and said I was sorry I but I was done. We bailed to Little which actually skied pretty decent. I drove home, showered and went straight to bed for 2 hours. Good times.

Heard about that ^ young jedi :wink: Gotta watch out for the bonk; she can show up at anytime, anyplace. Glad you made it home safely though.

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Originally Posted by Dantheman

I tried to do a Alta->Mineral tour saturday with a friend despite having a cold. It was just too nice of a day to not try and get out, plus I have toured sick before and done OK. Not this time, I bonked, hard. I completely fell apart like I never have before. I got slower and slower every step getting to pole line pass. After the quick ski into cardiff I was shivering hard despite it being a very warm day. I did not warm up after we started skinning again. By the time we had skinned the short way up to the small bench below the north face of superior what little energy I had left was gone. I looked at my friend and said I was sorry I but I was done. We bailed to Little which actually skied pretty decent. I drove home, showered and went straight to bed for 2 hours. Good times.

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I've had a similar experience before. Hurting on the way up flagstaff, skied one into upper days and became seriously concerned that I might not make it back up to the top of flagstafff to ski back to alta. But, with other colds I've gone out and skied, no problem. The lesson is probably that you shouldn't go ski when you have a cold. You might be okay 2 of 3 times, but on the third one you find yourself in trouble.

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Originally Posted by Dantheman

I tried to do a Alta->Mineral tour saturday with a friend despite having a cold. It was just too nice of a day to not try and get out, plus I have toured sick before and done OK. Not this time, I bonked, hard. I completely fell apart like I never have before. I got slower and slower every step getting to pole line pass. After the quick ski into cardiff I was shivering hard despite it being a very warm day. I did not warm up after we started skinning again. By the time we had skinned the short way up to the small bench below the north face of superior what little energy I had left was gone. I looked at my friend and said I was sorry I but I was done. We bailed to Little which actually skied pretty decent. I drove home, showered and went straight to bed for 2 hours. Good times.

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Influenza?

Still seeing positive Flu A/B swabs, although less than earlier this year.

^^ I had that crap about a month ago, absolutely devestated my energy levels, and left me weak and powerless. 3-4 turns left me feeling completely exhausted. Beer didn't even sound good I felt so crappy.

Powderbirds Suck- There is a real simple way to avoid the helicopters. Ski in one of the wilderness areas.

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Originally Posted by Trackhead

Influenza?

Still seeing positive Flu A/B swabs, although less than earlier this year.

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Very probable. I woke up from my nap sweating so I checked my temp and it was 100.9. Not super high but definitely a fever. I also did the sweat/shiver yo-yo most of saturday night.

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Originally Posted by Dantheman

Very probable. I woke up from my nap sweating so I checked my temp and it was 100.9. Not super high but definitely a fever. I also did the sweat/shiver yo-yo most of saturday night.

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That's the flu yo. No colds give you the sweat/shiver shit.

To the bad-ass who slid all the way down this chute on his ass, I say:
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...28/timp-11.jpg

God bless you. You're an inspiration to us all.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...228/timp-8.jpg

But we'll just stick to skiing thank you very much.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...28/timp-10.jpg

^Only in the Southern Wasatch would people be that hardcore, blessed, and shall we say, cool, all at the same time :fmicon:

We tried to follow through with some sick gnar today. We definitely achieved the Gnar but not quite all of the sick (quite an amazing experience all in all).. I gotta get to work. :chug: I'll have some Crap up in a jiff.

Took at shot at Box Elder today with non-mag Kip. Were hoping to hit the summit and maybe descend the north cirque, with shotgun chutes as secondary objective.

Didn't hit the trail until 8 am:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/...9d012771_z.jpg

Secondary objective in sight:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/...7c5d4383_z.jpg

By the time we got to the shoulder at the top of the chutes, we were both ready to embrace that secondary objective. Kip's skins were failing him big time, the clouds and wind had rolled in and vis was shit, the previously mentioned pucker ice was the name of the game on the ridge, and I am a pussy :biggrin:

Chutes it is:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/...8bd50b28_z.jpg

Creamy pow all the way to the bottom, fun descent:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/...7a547e4d_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/...d39ea9b1_z.jpg

Kip remembered to stash beer in the snow before we left, which I forgot about until we got back to the car. This temporarily elevated him to demigod status:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/...4a3f0e94_z.jpg

Didn't get the summit we wanted, but skied a nice line in good snow and had a great day in the mountains. Can't beat that.

Some of us walk across rivers, some of us hump our way across, we all get there in the end. Clearly skiing 8000m peaks and not drinking water all day imparts log crossing abilities I fail to possess. :wink:

I've avoided skiing the Y couloir for years, mostly based on Trackhead's opinion that it's a deathtrap. I finally did it Saturday by linking it with the coalpit headwall, so I'm happy to say I have skied it without ever having booted up the thing. It was a breathtaking tour and a good way to go if you want to avoid booting it. NW face of Gobbler's was swept clean of tracks by Sunday when I was there. Not a ton of powder to be had on that face, but at least I didn't have to look at 30+ powderturd's tracks on it. :biggrin:

Edit:

I almost forgot - Ride that pony Trackhead!


http://www.tgrmedia.com/i.ashx?w=400...ap_730X550.jpg

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Originally Posted by gramps

so I'm happy to say I have skied it without ever having booted up the thing. It was a breathtaking tour and a good way to go if you want to avoid booting it.

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You're the only person I know of who is capable of figuring out the logistics of skiing that piece of shit without booting it. I see you haven't lost your touch. You should be a guide or something;)

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Originally Posted by gramps

Some of us walk across rivers, some of us hump our way across, we all get there in the end. Clearly skiing 8000m peaks and not drinking water all day imparts log crossing abilities I fail to possess. :wink:

I've avoided skiing the Y couloir for years, mostly based on Trackhead's opinion that it's a deathtrap. I finally did it Saturday by linking it with the coalpit headwall, so I'm happy to say I have skied it without ever having booted up the thing. It was a breathtaking tour and a good way to go if you want to avoid booting it. NW face of Gobbler's was swept clean of tracks by Sunday when I was there. Not a ton of powder to be had on that face, but at least I didn't have to look at 30+ powderturd's tracks on it. :biggrin:

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How about that group of 12 in the Coalpit?

Went up some stuff I've had my eye on for about 5 years now, never really thought of it as a reality until last night. Here's some photos of Zach tryin to power up the Generator, damn near got it running but stalled her on the last stroke :hunter: Didn't see the PowderTurd out today, always a good thing:smile:

And the video is here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz-6_-Ksbj0

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Originally Posted by Mark H

God bless you. You're an inspiration to us all.
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...228/timp-8.jpg

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A possible FSD: first seated descent. Think that guy has pants sponsor? Marauders was that you?

^^^"Chode surfing"

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Originally Posted by The Gnarwhale

A possible FSD: first seated descent. Think that guy has pants sponsor? Marauders was that you?

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Yea Marauders, legend has it you've already dominated the NW Couloir of Nebo on your ass. What's next? Y Not? Lightning Bolt? How bout Plinko?

Plinko, for the gold.

whapworth's coming back into town for a bit tonight, want to get out for a tour tomorrow, anyone have any beta as to whether anything's going to be skiing decently? i can imagine the only places it might even be a chance is pretty heavily shaded mid elevation areas, maybe somewhere in BCC (don't get into big often so don't know the area)?

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/wxbriefi...11/player.html

New weather briefing from Brian at the NWS.

Every day since that last storm has been amazing. The deepest pow to the slickest ice and everything in between.

http://www.zachclantonphotography.co...-1-for-web.jpg
Frame grab from Canon 7D video.

http://www.zachclantonphotography.co...-1-for-web.jpg

http://www.zachclantonphotography.co...-1-for-web.jpg
A crispy turn or two off the top but the good shit is always lurking below the high ridgelines. Peak 1 of 3 on The Hat Trick.

http://www.zachclantonphotography.co...-2-for-web.jpg
Peak 2

http://www.zachclantonphotography.co...-2-for-web.jpg

DROPping... Argenta #4

http://www.zachclantonphotography.co...-1-for-web.jpg

Icy, exposed, gripping... all things describing this moment. It was a dedicated mission taking off the crampons, strapping in and dropping off the summit. There was plenty of recrystalized powder to be had on the north aspect, but those first 500 feet sure did fry the nerves with your only contact points being the rail of your board and the tip of your axe. One slip and you end up in Provo.

http://www.zachclantonphotography.co...-2-for-web.jpg

...and many great sunsets in between

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Originally Posted by ZachClanton

Every day since that last storm has been amazing.

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amen. one thing i learned while living in foofyland is that there is absolutely no excuse for skiing anything less than good snow even weeks after a storm...........unless it rains to ridges, which fortunately for me never happened while living out there.

i toured mid/upper bcc way more often than other areas as i found it nice to never run across the chopper folk, dawn patrollers, or other people when done right. upper snake creek was always a nice mid winter corn harvest area when temps got warm/cold under long high pressure spells.

bcc may not give the long single vert of lcc areas, but i always considered 5/800 vert perfect pow laps better than one 3-4000 vert run where you had sub par snow at the top few hundred and or lower 1000-1500 verts and maybe a hoard all gunning for the sickgnar. but i'm a lapper.

nice picks btw. looking forward to my post alta closing/reopening visit come late april.

rog

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Originally Posted by ZachClanton

One slip and you end up in Provo.

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Thats the line my buddy used to talk me out of dating a Mormon girl.


Sick pics btw.

On another note - the snow is coming in sideways here in Parleys Summit..
:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

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Originally Posted by ZachClanton

http://www.zachclantonphotography.co...-1-for-web.jpg

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love this shot!! what a view!! I need to get back to the Wasatch soon...

still gnarly weather in pc. bird tomorrow, hope the road opens as planned at 8...