‘I used to have trouble choking down the pills I have to take for controlling my cholesterol, but it’s a lot easier now that I wrap them in bacon.’ ~ Brad Simanek
Baconfest 2012 summit.
You know the score. In one of Utah’s less vegan friendly style outings, friends, and strangers who became friends, again met up in the Uintas to score some summit bacon on Bald Mountain. This year, the festivities probably marked some people’s last ski/board day of the year. The snow is thin, and receding rapidly. However, as a present for late season dedication, the snow gods saw fit to drop some fresh on the mountains before we arrived.
We let the snow turn to soup while bacon fried in any of four or five fry pans. No matter. It’s only once every belly is full of bacon that movement from the summit is encouraged. 12 people summited, down one from last year. Pretty good considering winter was a fading memory for a lot of people by about March this year. Here’s the day in pictures.
Only one less summiter than last year, but a lot less vehicles. Carpooling was in effect this year.
Hammond weeded out nearly everyone by putting in a booter that was pretty steep for the last few feet. For my part, I got to practice one ‘partner arrest’ as Zach lost his footing and came sliding down. It’s a day of bacon, but eating it all isn’t the biggest challenge..
Phil getting the treatment on the Bald Mountain express route.
Someone even brought a themed snowboard. Rockin’.
In the tasty bacon department, these guys won with Applewood smoked. Yum.
Mark Hammond demonstrates one of the lesser, but varied, Whippet functions – the bacon spear.
Cindy Lou Grant follows suit.
Gettin’ small on the summit.
There are views to be seen in every direction.
…of lakes and mountains.
At some point, we headed down, walking over to the launching-in point.
Phil launched in with this cornice 360. Action captured by Mark Hammond.
After a short section of skiing, there was some down climbing involved on the descent.
And still more downclimbing.
Mikell Bova turns it following one of several rocky cruxes.
No matter their route of descent, everyone got to ski above some cliffs this year, due to the low snow coverage. Here, Kyle gets his chance. Good times!
