Mammoth TR 10/21 & 10/22 - Insanity

[Arty50]

Sorry folks. There's no more pow. We killed it all. OMFG, the last two days were unreal.

Sorry for the new thread, but the last two days were deserving. There are some great pics by yogachik and Vets on page 3 of the Mammy openning thread.

Thursday, October 21st saw chair 1 open at the crisp time of 8:30. Champagne and special t-shirts marking the occasion were handed out in the lift line. The shirt lists the date and the fact that it was the earliest openning in 10 years. Normally I would complain about trying to shoehorn my fat gut into a medium, but I'm never gonna wear it anyway. It's getting put behind glass.

So chair one dumps me off and I scream around to the face of 1. Someone had hucked the big rock under the chair sideways. I wanted no part of that fucked up angle and landing. Frankly I was too busy schralping the shin deep pow nearby.

A couple more laps were had on 1 when they opened the backside of that peak. Whoooohoooooo!!!! Untracked tree shots, baby!

At some point in the morning I met up with Yogachik and hot_sauce. We proceeded to crush the hill.

Lap after lap was hit off of chair 1. Face of 1, around the back, and finally traversing out underneath the Noids. The shorthanded patrol was kicking ass.

Word eventually got around that chair 3 was to open. The chair was frozen though, and it was gonna take a while. Finally they cracked that sucker at 1:30. And guess who was sitting on 1st chair? I was with 3 boarders who were cursing the fact that I had skis and was going to have it all to myself while they were buckling up. The face of 3 wasn't open though, so they were making us go around the back. No problem. I'll just bomb around, traverse under Hangman's, drop into some beautiful blower, and then hit that little cliffband further below. Fuuuuuuuck yeeeeeaaaaahhhhh!!!!! At this point I should mention I hit that sucker with more speed than I've ever carried off of something. It was interesting. I compressed but managed to stand up and ride away...for 2 seconds...then I fell over. Well, I almost had it. Still, time for a do over. Well, not much better this time. I forgot that G4s aren't very forgiving on landings. So then I just proceeded to follow a traverse that went out just under Dropout/Wipeout. Sooooo smoooov.

Right around 3:45, my legs said enough. We want to ski tomorrow too. So I called it a day and went back to the room to stare at the wall in complete shock. I couldn't believe it was October 21st and I had just skied winter pow. Not to mention the fact I had only hit 3-4 rocks all day. The coverage is amazing right now.

Finally after a few minutes I came to my senses and picked up the phone. "Walter, it's insane. Fuck the rock skis, bring your fatties. And for god sakes...bring my Spatulas!!!!"

A nice cold shower broke me out of my remaining stupor and stopped my legs from shaking. Excellent, ready to go tomorrow. Dinner at Nevados with some new friends (thanks, yogachik!) and then bed.

I woke up this fine morning with the knowledge the top was openning. The jones was unbelievable. Went to breakfact with the Sobchaks and then hit the hill. The face of 3 had tracks. Damn, it must have openned at 3:55 the day before (Mammoth closes at 4). Oh well, no matter. We just killed the tons of pow that was left. On one lap, we run into something I never thought I'd see: Spatulas...mounted with freerides. I rode up to the guy and we nodded towards each other.

"OK, I have to ask. How do those tour?"

"Actually, they're really good. A little heavy, but they skin just fine. And they just handle everything so well: pow, windbuff, a little bit of crust...well what am I saying. You know that already."

"Yup. It's great to hear they tour well too."

Then I remembered that the Spatulas are probably the best skis I've ever broken trail with. The reverse camber rocks for this. So while I wouldn't tour on them on icy off camber death, they'd be oh so sweet after a storm.

Pardon my aside, back to today. So chair 23 was having problems in the morning. The top was ready to go, just no chair yet. At this point Walter and his bro traversed up to the top. I bailed earlier and watched from below. Walt hit P2 and made some of the prettiest turns I've ever seen. So I rode up and asked how it was.

"The whole right side was knee deep."

"Arrrrrgggghhhh!!!! I will killlllll you!!!!"

Luckily, I came to my senses and realized that I was to blame for being so moronic to not go up there with them. So we skied back down to 1 and rode up. Ooooh, there's a line at 23!!! Hit it!!!!

The top....it was....I really don't have the words. We all broke off and hit the lines we had picked out on the way up. No friends man, no friends. My second lap saw me traverse out to P2. I had to get some quick. Walter was right. It was insane in there. I hit P3 right after and it didn't compare. It was still amazing, but P2 was drool worthy. So we just kept hitting lap after laps of sweet, sweet winter pow. Everyone I talked to on each ride up was practically speechless. Is this really October 21st?

After insane laps to numerous to count, things started to get a little choppey. My legs, they scream. Time for lunch and some water too. While gaping through the cafeteria with the dumbfounded look still on my face, I hear the mating call of the wild maggot. Nickel? Huh? Hell yeah! It was commish. So I sat down with him and his crew to swap stories of an insane morning.

Commish: "I saw you post and was so stoked. Today was awesome. Only one thing though. Why didn't you tell us to bring our fat skis damnit. The coverage is unreal. I've only hit one rock all day."

Me: "Ooops. Sorry. Yeah, I even called Walter yesterday to have him bring my Spatulas."



So with lunch done and our legs rested, we hit it again. This time cutting around the back to find some untracked tree shots. So fuggin' gud. We caught up with the Sobchaks again, and then hit lap after lap of sweetness until the bell. Wow, I can't believe I made it. Two insane days of the Sierra's finest.

Time for drinks on the deck. Nothing like staring up at the hill after a great day of skiing, reflecting on all the lines you hit, and enjoying a beverage.

At the end of the day Walter showed me his Powder Plusses/Rides? and there was barely a scratch on them. This wasn't just an early storm. It was THE early storm. A storm that leaves an imprint on your brain. An imprint that will bring a smile to your face until the day you die.

[G]

So, It really sucked, huh? So sorry to hear it. Well, try again at kirkwood tomorrow.

[yogachik]

I'm speechless. Great TR, Arty - glad you got some for me.

Well, Elvis Costello was amazing - one of the best shows I've ever seen (I think I've seen him about 15 times, this one was top 3). I guess that's something....

[FollowMe]

I'm envious. Way to start it out right. I'm leaving for Kirkwood right now. Maybe we'll get lucky at 6 will open?

[Vinman]

Damn nice TR and way to get sum, the EC is so jealous right now. Keep the stoke coming!!!!

[Free Range Lobster]

Wow, thanks for the pics, I'm way pumped to be out there in less than a month!

[Arty50]

I almost forgot. MANY THANKS TO THE MAMMOTH PATROL!!! The whole mountain was understaffed. They were calling all their workers to try and find as many as they could. Most people are still out of town. My friend who works at the Inn is still in Nepal right now.

So despite the fact they were short of people on patrol, they kicked serious ass getting the mountain open. They all just teamed up and dropped rope after rope in short order. In a day and a half they got an incredible amount of terrain open and made for one of the best opening days ever. I made sure to thank them a bunch of them at the top of 3 at the end of the day yesterday.

Yoga, you got the goods on Thursday. Quit your vhining. Besides it sounds like the Elvis show was incredible. With a start like this, I have a feeling there are plenty of killer days ahead. Also, thanks for introducing me to your friends at lunch. I had a nice time hanging out with them Thursday night.

[Endlessseason]

http://www.tetongravity.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif http://www.tetongravity.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif http://www.tetongravity.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif

[seldon]

INDEED

1234

[skier0178]

With next week's forecast calling for 2-3 more feet, this October is going to be epic. Who's going up next weekend?

[yogachik]

Yoga, you got the goods on Thursday. Quit your vhining. Besides it sounds like the Elvis show was incredible. With a start like this, I have a feeling there are plenty of killer days ahead. Also, thanks for introducing me to your friends at lunch. I had a nice time hanging out with them Thursday night.

No whining here, I definitely made a great decision to come back for the show. Yeah, Mike told me you guys had a great time at Nevados - he and Karen dug you.
So - another 3 feet this week? I'll be heading up for Halloween weekend...

[baseWeldr]

/whimper/
heavy jones factor kickin in... love to read the words of winter, congrats to all those lucky enough to be gittin the season started.... bastards!... niceTR arty

[Mcwop]

Nice TR.

Man, October in Baltimore is rough. Maybe I can buy some gear I don;t really need. That will make me fell better. Yeah.

[comish]

Well that was one hell of a weekend!!!!!

Anyone who didn't want to pay the $50 at Mammoth, BWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAA

Friday: 6th chair on Chair one and head to Ch. 3 where I figured the face would be untracked based on Arty's report from the previous day. Well, untracked it wasn't, but soft and pow filled it was. Sounds like they must have dropped the rope at 3:30 on Thursday. Start traversing out under 23 and get a couple of amazing untracked runs down Scotty's and P1 before they even open 23!!! The legs are screaming at me for my Euro travels and lack of fitness, but, oh what's this. A couple people finally starting to line up at 23. Get down there and wait about 20 minutes and score 5th chair for 23!!! That was a sweet feeling to be the first track down one of the Wipe out's. Oh ya, it was good. Completely forgot it was Oct 23rd. Spent the rest of the day farming the top. Changed a nickel in lodge at lunch and met Arty. Then ended up meeting the Sobchak's later out under 12 which was still full of fresh at 3:00!!! The Marg at the end of the bluebird pow day was sweet. Then my friends ask, "how do you guys know each other" We look at each other and I finally answer something about skiing and the internet. Arty goes, I was waiting to see what you would say.

Ok, I don't have time to write the rest of this up now.

Basically Saturday was amazing Mammy windbuff off 23! Sweet smooth buffed out and oh so fun. More funs with the Sobchak's which was fun.

Sunday was the surprise of the weekend. Awoke to an inch or two on stump alley. on the chair first thing and then preceded to have one of those great stormy surprise pow days. Oh ya, Bullet, Thanks!!!!!!!! I saw you head over there in the morning thinking to myself, hmmm that's a good idea. We had a blast playing under three in the now boot top pow, before utilizing Bullet's track for some amazing runs out under 23 and on lower Scotty's.

What a fat weekend. Very fun to finally ski with Arty and Sobchak. My friends were wondering what the hell was going on Saturday because for a few rides we kept bumping into more people (arty, Sobchak, Bro-Sobchak, Bullet, I think Joey bag....) Bullet, cool to see you up there, Might have to get back there on Thursday. Anyone Anyone???

I have a few picts I can try and get up tonight. Nothing action though.

[AntiSoCalSkier]

SUNDAY! SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!!!!

You know how the CO Maggots have been going on about how conditions at Loveland are "pretty good for October"? Well, Mammoth was just plain "pretty good." Sunday morning dawned like so many Mammoth morning with snow flurries in the air and excitement everywhere. By the time we got to the mountain it was coming down pretty good (maybe bringing the Civic instead of the Subaru to save on gas wasn't such a great plan). This wasn't your Champagne Powder™, nor was it The Greatest Snow On Earth™, but those guys are still hiking and mountain biking, and hoping that maybe the lifts will open before Thanksgiving. By 10:30 or so, there was at least 6" on the hill, and there were definitely some spots that had collected more.

I have always loved playing in the trees, so we spent most of the day exploring around Chair 1. Gravy chute was good and only had a few rocks sticking out (although as far as I can tell, no matter how much snow there is, there's always a rock or two in Gravy). There was plenty of untouched deep in the trees, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I still know how to ski. Later in the afternoon we headed up 3 and found some untouched deep stuff over by 5 (thanks to Mammoth for leaving their boundaries open, most resorts would have closed off most of the mountain, but Mammoth just puts up some signs so you know what you're getting into).

All in all it was well worth the drive from LA.

[yogachik]

Comish, I'm definitely heading up for Halloween weekend, costume and all...

[midget]

Dammit i have to wait till Friday to ride the lifts!