Endless winter - Alta 6/8

[gramps]

Well, it wasn't over the head, but skiing perfectly smooth fresh in June is pretty outrageous anyway. It was Powstash, Xover, Trackhead, and myself at the park and ride at 5 this morning.

When we got to the top of Gunsight, our jaws dropped as the morning light was just hitting Baldy. It is still so prime.



Superior's done for the season, but it's still nice to look at.



We took a line off the very top of Backside that is perma closed during the regular season. A nice bit of novelty. Here's Xover not being a wanker, and turning.



After the chute, we were on top of backside. It was very, very good. Hero smooth. The couple of inches on top were butta.

Powstash making some big turns, my tracks are on the right.


And Matt does his best to get a faceshot.



Everybody else had to go to work, but they'll get some more pictures up later. This winter just keeps on giving.

[bcrider]

dogs!

.....

[kev259]

Holy SHit! Damn, nice pics! I like the last one.

[altachic]

Very nice boys...

And when powstash posts that i wasn't stoked about June pow when i saw him this morning, i really am...but i've been more into riding my bike lately.

[Arno]

green with envy

[Kellie]

Nice work!

[TheDingleberry]

Damn man, damn. Thats incredible.

[MOHSHSIHd]

fuckers....lucky fuckers

[teledave]

fuckers....lucky fuckers

Yep. 5678

[HyRUPz]

Hats off - how do you say ...

Sickter

[grizzle6]

Damn Gina. Should've pulled my ass out of bed. Nice work.

[Squirrel99]

green with envy

EXACTLY!

Here's Xover not being a wanker, and turning.

He turns?

Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. Looking at those pics, I'm at a loss for more words.

[hoarhey]

Thanks for the pictures.
Increible conditions, my, my.

[Xover]

Gramps, ya friggin' wanker the title was supposed to be:

"Forbidden Fruit @ Alta Lenas"

Who the hell needs to pay for a trip to South America when we can score sickly smooth, creamy, buffy pow right here at Jah Alta??

This morning flat out rocked!!! With the winds last night and this morning from the west/southwest everything east facing was ripe for the picking. You could still feel the bottom every once in a while, but it was soo smooth and if you went fast enough it didn't matter. Made the 4:30 am wake up start all the more worth it.

I had been eyeing this line from the very top of the Backside for a few years now and today just turned into "heh, why don't we go and see about that". Spancered Euro biatch TH was along so I knew he'd dig it. It is NEVER open during the season so post-season is usually prime pickings for it. One could get it better than we did today after a post-season pow dumpage, but for friggin' June 8th we got it pretty damn good The line itself starts out about 35 degs, blind rolls to about 45 degs, narrows to 185 cm wide (right now) and then runs out onto the "normal" Backside traverse. I didn't really ski it how I'd like to have (i.e. straightline to about 2 or 3 turns down the Backside), but today wasn't the day to straightline the top of that thing (steep, icey, rocky, runnels to who knows how the runout is). Will kill it right next time. Anyways....

The line right smack dab in the middle of the shot at dawn




Powstash and Gramps skinning up Gunsight at sunrise with some "spice" at the top of Gunsight just too looker's left of the lone track




TH found us some "spice" on the ridge between Gunsight and Eddies (Gramps liked it too )




TH at the top of the rollover in the line




TH at the narrow crux with Gramps waiting in the "on deck" circle




TH settin up




It's the Euro Scott Schmidt




TH spraying




TH setting up for turn #50 after only 100 vert of skiing




Scott Markewitz with all his shit dangling

[Xover]

TH having fun. He's so rad he doesn't need goggles, a helmet or even his sunglasses for this "flat" line




Give me 1 more jump turn biaaaatch




Camera got kinda wiggy for Gramps (sorry young jedi).
Anyway, Gramps approaching the crux.




Gramps after flashing the crux




Gramps turning down lower with Powstash approaching the crux above him




Powstash feeling the steep




Who's the real Scott Scmidt??




Powstash kickin' rocks




Powstash looking strong on the runout




Powstash "Park Citying" for one more jump turn




TH, Gramps and Powstash then departed for the Nest and on too work. It was too damn good for me to go pay the man just yet. So, I headed back up to Yellow Trail. Reports from yesterday proved true; all the snow on anything west facing was now on east facing slopes. So, I headed for Eddies from the top. It was I then caught the summer cat road over to Greely Hill to finish the run out and then back to the truck where I snapped this shot of Greeley Hill (with my track), High Meadow Chute, Sugarloaf Peak and the impending forecasted weather quickly moving in.



The wind and clouds are keeping the snow delicious up there. If anybody is thinking of heading up after work or tomorrow a.m. for that matter, GO!!! East facing slopes will not dissapoint.

Oh ya, almost forgot, Squirrell 99, you're MY lil biaaatch now!!! BWA mutha fucka!!!!

[m1e448]

Thats sick, it doesn't even look like spring. It's 90 degrees back here in PA.
I wish I were there...

[Hutch]

Whoa. It's June 8!! very very cool.

[gramps]

I'm going up early tomorrow to get a Baldy line. Anybody else want to come?

[Trackhead]

Xover, Your commentary is priceless.

I think Gramps should change his name to "Young Jedi". It fits the youngster well.

Funny action shot of the rocks rolling.


For anyone who hasn't skied with Xover, it's like being in an NBA game and hearing the commentator talking, only louder and much more entertaining. It's amusing to hear someone yell at you "make a turn ya wanker!" as you stand in a 190cm wide couloir with three fall lines and an avy runnel. Good stuff.

[Trackhead]

I'm going up early tomorrow to get a Baldy line. Anybody else want to come?

I'd like to, but I work at 7am.

Sunday am?

Vid of today in a week. Expect some humor courtesy of Xover.

[gramps]

I think Gramps should change his name to "Young Jedi". It fits the youngster well.

Gawl, ya found out I was like two years younger than you thought I was, and now you just can't get over it. Sorry to make you feel even more ancient, ya old man.


Oh BTW - I'll be taking my first legal drink on top of Baldy June 24th. Everyone's invited.

[powderwhore]

I'm going up early tomorrow to get a Baldy line. Anybody else want to come?

What's early? I really should get my June day already.

[Sphinx]

Excellent pics!

I'm amazed, a person my age who also skis the backcountry! Didn't know they existed.

[bdog]

Just outstanding!

[raddam]

luvin' it boys
nice works!