411 on Jackson

[snowrider]

Considering TGR is out of Jackson I figure no better place to get the lowdown than here. I posted earlier about being out in Jackson Jan 5-12. The last time I was there was in the 6th grade so I've been doing a little research I have some questions.

From what I've been reading a common run seems to be from tram to rock springs bowl and then traversing back to south hoback. I realize the backcountry in Jackson is serious business and my concern lies in the fact that I severely lack knowledge and equipment in regard to avalanches. Is Rock springs traveled by a lot of skiers? (it seems to be fairly well known since everything I read mentioned it). I know as a general rule going anywhere beyond the rope without beacons shovels or probes would be a no no, but some areas that are technically out of bounds but still close to the resort boundary are relatively safe (but not pratrolled). To get to the point do people go in there on low avie days with no gear?

Also where is the entrance gate to hike up to the top of headwall/casper bowl? I don't think I'm delving into the top secret here, but PM me if need be.

I've been waxing my skis, and running around for days now just trying to stay sane knowing I'm headed to Jackson and its been dumping there. Thanks for any help or information and I look forward to maybe making some turns with some J-Hole maggots.

[Cubano]

Hey I was just there- Just when it started to dump the 20th-27th. The headwall can either be hiked from the top of the Gondy(looks like a pretty hard hike- i would say about 60 degrees up) Or you can take the tram and I believe that the East Ridge traverse all the way across. I will probably be wrong here hopefully some JH maggots ring in. I love that F'in mountain. So much knar terrair- if u get some pow don't be fooled into thinking Apres is out of the picture- got some thigh deep when they were reporting 8" over in the granite area off of Saratoga and AV. Have fun man

[slim]

Rock springs has slid and killed people in the past. Avalanche danger is rated as HIGH right now in the Tetons. If you don't have the equipment, the experience, and partners with the same... don't go through the gates. It's that simple. If you want to access the JH backcountry, take a course. You'll be at the mountain during a good one.

[comish]

snowrider, listen to slim. This one is unfortunately really easy and clear. Do not go through the gates without pieps, probe, shovel, but more importantly knowledge.

Rock Springs has some enormous areas where you can get seriously cliffed out. The place does slide as well. given the amount of fresh snow and the crazy winds (I'm in Utah, but figuring its probably windy in the Teton's as well) right now there will definitely be some avi danger.

Get a guide if you really want to check it out.

Possibly see ya there next week. Red marmot, black giro w/ little JH sticker and doberman boots. Don't know what skis yet...

[Schmear]

What they said. Even though Rock Springs is adjacent to in-bounds terrain, it has proven deadly in the recent past. Don't go if you're not prepared, and especially if you don't know the area.

Besides....JH has TONS of great patrolled terrain. There is so much else to do. Don't get hung up on one run. And ditto the AV tip. Good secret stuff on that side of the mountain that isn't so avie prone.

[Cubano]

Another great area to consider... not gonna name it- Take casper up and take the traverse to the right until you are pleased with the descent

[snowrider]

thanks for the reply's and info guys. I was actually looking into hiring a guide last night. With 5 of us its not too hard on the wallet. With all the snow they've been getting I don't think we'll need to go through the gates. 20 more inches today! on top of 12 yesterday, 8 before that and 16 before that and.... AHHHHHH

I got blue jacket, gray boeri helmet with East Coast sticker on front, tan pants and Inspireds. See ya there!

[The Suit]

I agree with all the advice you've been getting. Don't go out the boundaries alone or without proper gear.

I think a great way to get started is to get yourself properly geared up with beacon, shovel, probe, and pack, and then either hire a guide or try the backcountry camp for an intro into the backcountry. All of the guides at JH are knowledgable and fun to ski with. It's a relatively safe way to get into the backcountry and likely to be a highlight of your trip if you do it.

Beware of following tracks, even in some the inbounds terrain such as Casper Bowl or Saratoga. It's not unheard of for people to follow sucker tracks and find themselves at a mandatory air dead end. If it does happen to you, there's no shame in sidestepping back up.

Cubano covered two of the three access routes to Headwall/Casper Bowl. Easiest is to turn right off the top of the Sublette chair, go straight out of Tensleep Bowl towards the Cirque. The hike starts off of the traverse into Cirque.

You're going to be in for a treat. Several people said yesterday was deeper than the Utah Pow segment from High Life. I'm missing it all with a bum knee, so take some turns for me.

[comish]

I can't wait to get to JH. It must be going OFF! One year I lived there, '96/97, the biggest in history, and we had one 24" day. The locals were going insane on the tram dock saying the patrol NEVER reports 24". Basically the 20" today must have been totally insane!!!!!!! It just doesn't get much better and its been cold up there too. Can't wait, and I'm getting the Utah goods now, but still am jealous.

[epic]

Hey Snowrider - I'd hate to see you and SkiJunky05 dead. Or at least hear about your deaths (I doubt I'd ever actually see the bodies). So... if you want, I've got 2 M2s, shovels and probes you can take out with you. I've got avie books too, but that's no substitute for real knowledge so you should still hook up with a guide or something. I'll be at Stowe tomorrow, and home on Monday (mid-morning) if you want to borrow this stuff.

[SkiJunky05]

Huge thank you to everyone for input. I just want to clarify a little...

The extent of backcountry that Snowrider and I have been involved in is really just around the east coast, including stuff on Washington. That said, we would never think of ducking ropes OR going through an open gate into the backcountry. The only possible way we would go into the backcountry is with a guide...and even then, I would much rather have more skills and training than I currently have.

I just want to ski powder and have fun. Death ain't part-a-that!

Really appreciate the advice from everyone. Hopefully the storm cycles will keep coming. I feel blessed....had a great early season at Stowe, was in Utah from Xmas to New Years, now Jackson.... I'm a very luck dude

Epic- neither of us are in Burlington now, and we fly out on Monday morning. We'll be back the following Monday to hopefully tell some good stories...and we've got a shitload of cameras going as well, so maybe we'll have good footie to share. We both have shovels that we're bringing (for building kickers outside the condo)...but i think we'll be OK w/o the trancievers, books, etc. Later this year, however, it would be fun to start practicing with them. Thanks.

Epic- I also hiked the Tusk from bottom to top this fall. Entrance is indeed right where you showed us. Hopefully when Snowrider and I get back up there around the 20th it'll be game.

[epic]

Originally posted by SkiJunky05
Epic- I also hiked the Tusk from bottom to top this fall. Entrance is indeed right where you showed us. Hopefully when Snowrider and I get back up there around the 20th it'll be game.

Oh baby....

We're there. It's looking a little yellow right now, but give it a few more storms. Looks like we'll git some on Monday.

[roll-gybe]

If it's been on your mind, I would get a guide - they can take you to some places that will then blow that mind of yours. Plus JH skiers are 90% rippers and the mountain gets worked over in about 45 mins on a powder day. If you want to pay for a guide, they can keep the fun coming.

fyi - experienced locals died last year skiing ob terrain in the vicinity you are talking about. I would not venture into rock springs, 4 pines etc w/o a guide.