Monthly Archive for February, 2011

Provo Peak

Published on February 28, 2011 by a ok.

Went to the land down under today with the Brothers Dorais. And no, Provo Peak isn’t in Australia, it’s in Provo. That’s Utah, where the scenery isn’t half bad, all told. The skiing is at least that good, as well.

Aside from some ice on the upper 200 or so vertical feet of the summit, we did pretty well landing some soft, windblown pow. First it was into the trees for a bit of safety – the chute was windloaded and possibly ready for a cleanse on its steeper flanks – then into the chute for a good number of sweeping turns. A 6,000 foot approach from the Bonneville Shoreline linked trailhead led to a large amount of downhill skiing. Fun, too!

Approaching Provo Peak, Cascade and Timpanogos beckon to the North.

Continue reading ‘Provo Peak’

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Powder Circles

Published on February 27, 2011 by a ok.

And the Award goes to: Special Effects by Mother Nature!

Went in a big circle with Jon Swain today. With a smaller one at the end.. Up Flagstaff, down into Day’s Fork, and up to the Reed & Benson Ridge. Dropped down the Hallway where Jon was delighted to find that we would have fresh tracks – I didn’t mind, either – then made our way up to the Black Knob through the inverted snow. (Light on top for a few inches, then heavier, then lighter below that..) Skied the northeast aspect of Little Superior, then made our way up to Cardiff Peak, and skied the southeast face. From there we headed across, then up, to Continue reading ‘Powder Circles’

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Injinji Performance Toesocks Review

Published on February 25, 2011 by a ok.

As a multisport athlete who frequently finds his feet stuffed into the footwear of various sports’ requisite containers – AT ski boots, hiking boots, running shoes, mountain biking shoes, trail running shoes, and rock climbing shoes – my feet have long tended to suffer. My toes have for so long been smashed into all this varied footwear that they’ve come to resemble one large, connected toe. I’ll spare you a picture!

Back at the car, taking off the ski boots at the end of another nighttime-concluding ski outing. Any moisture that hasn't already evaporated from the sock is quick to dry once the foot is out of the boot.

Partly for this reason, I’ve always shied away from wearing sandals, even at the beach. Almost entirely for this reason, I’ve been excited to wear Injinji Performance Toesocks for a few months now. For anyone unfamiliar, Continue reading ‘Injinji Performance Toesocks Review’

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Hellgate Couloir Attempt

Published on February 24, 2011 by a ok.

Wow. I’ve come up with some pretty heinous ski descent suggestions in my time, and have even managed to talk some friends into joining in on them on occasion. Today’s suggestion to ski the Hellgate Couloir just about takes the bad cake. Jon Swain, the brothers Dorais, and myself each ate a large piece.

The cliff in Hellgate's famed couloir. Didn't make it down and over. But we did wind up in that hanging snowfield.

Wind, low visibility, and numerous reminders of how cold it was were incidental details. With snow having mostly settled into a low danger on South and SW aspects, it seemed like a good time to head towards the cliffs that intersect the Hellgate Couloir. The trouble started from there. Icy, sometimes Continue reading ‘Hellgate Couloir Attempt’

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Bonkers

Published on February 23, 2011 by a ok.

Got into the Twin Peaks Wilderness with Jon Swain and Jason Dorais today, with Bonkers on the ski agenda. Parking at the ‘S’ curves on the BCC road – approximate elevation 6,370 feet – we headed up to the ridge upon which Bonkers tops out at 10,400 feet. We had a pleasant approach filled with sunshine and mild weather, and once we reached the base of the line, there wasn’t a track to be seen. The pickings looked great!

Jason leads the way, with Jon close behind, on our first lap up Bonkers.

Once we topped out, the clouds rolled in, but visibility was still pretty good. The turns were even better. Light, soft, yummy powder that Continue reading ‘Bonkers’

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Stopping Ski Boot Squeak

Published on February 22, 2011 by a ok.

Virtually everyone gets there sooner or later. No matter how smooth (and quiet!) your ski boot shells are when they arrive in your hands, there’s almost always a point at which they begin to squeak. And squeak. And … You get the idea – you probably even imagine that you hear the squeaking when you’re sitting still! Ski boot squeaking can drive a person nuts, because it seems to happen all the time. Standing in the lift line, chilling at the car after a ski day, walking from the car to the mountain, making turns down the mountain, and even walking up the entire mountain. The perpetual, repeated noise is enough to turn an otherwise great ski day into one that’s remembered for its friction!

It can be easy to fix the problem. Not all boot squeak is caused by the same boot parts rubbing, but chances are, this quick and easy how-to will help you to fix the issue. Ending boot squeak need not require Continue reading ‘Stopping Ski Boot Squeak’

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