Tag Archive for 'early season skiing'

Shaky Beginnings…

Published on November 12, 2012 by a ok.

Yon know the score: it nuked for 36+ hours. White gold fell in quantity.

Somewhere in the middle of 36+ hours of deliverance. Soft, yes. Untracked goodness, yes. Pretty deep. But not enough. Rocks on most turns. We fled for greener pastures.

Spirits were high. We skied. It wasn’t deep enough to cover all the rocks. Saw a north facing slide; it cleared the crummy, rotten snow from a few weeks ago to the rocks.

All in all, it was excaliber to be on skis, in the cold.

And then, this. Again.

Again. Really!?

Thanks to Z for the jumper cables.

And to J-Bo for NOT leaving his lights on.

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Powder Mountain

Published on October 25, 2012 by a ok.

Powder Mountain was all over the Utah news Wednesday. While LCC got a dusting of the white gold overnight, Powder had landed a priceless dump of the fine. With another foot slated to hit the north Wednesday night, I calmed my giddiness as best I could while pulling some gear together. A field trip was in order.

No truer words did I see today.

I’ve never visited Powder Mountain before, but I have to admit I think the resort owners landed one of the premium names in the Wasatch Range. However, as I inspected the sign on whatever summit I landed on after some knee to thigh deep trailbreaking, Continue reading ‘Powder Mountain’

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My First Day on Reverse Camber Skis

Published on December 17, 2011 by a ok.

It seemed like everything fit in perfectly today – if one were anticipating a comedy of errors. Perhaps this was fitting for my first day on ‘reverse camber skis.’ Got out with Travis and Jack, but before we headed anywhere, I was late because I initially forgot my beacon. Who needs a beacon – we ski groomers here in Utah (this year!)?

On our way up Little Cottonwood Canyon, a digital sign warned us of an accident ahead. Miles later, we were in the traffic jam, noting that most people don’t turn their vehicles off in such time-fluid situations. After some time, we turned around and headed to Big Cottonwood Canyon instead.

Pondering the myriad possibilities – thin snow, thinner snow, dirt, rocks, or a bit more snow, we pushed up to this season’s familiar, well-worn terrain, intent on skiing down in some pow. Travis drew blood Continue reading ‘My First Day on Reverse Camber Skis’

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4 by Milly

Published on December 15, 2011 by a ok.

Ever curious as to my own present output capabilities, I’ve been pushing long days of vertical and tossing in shorter, interval themed ski days here and there. However, few outings have fallen squarely between the two of late. So I thought I’d mix it up and aim for the middle ground – medium distance at full speed.

That the goal, I came up with the 4 by Milly: 4,400 feet of vert covering 9.36 miles (up and down), according to my GPS. Started at the base of the Millicent chair and topped out about 25 feet shy of the top, since the groomers left piles of debris blocking the last few feet. Also according to the GPS, I topped out at 31 mph (during the downhill – just to clarify for you optimistic types) on several Continue reading ’4 by Milly’

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12, Make That 11 Hours of Brighton or:

Published on December 9, 2011 by a ok.

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Pulling the Plug

Dawn broke on lap one…

Some wise person first said that good artists borrow, and great artists steal. It was in that spirit that I stole the concept of the 12 Hours of Sunlight to create my own ‘event’ – 12 Hours of Brighton. Probably none too artistic, but the idea was there – push uphill and downhill for 12 hours without Continue reading ’12, Make That 11 Hours of Brighton or:’

Located in 06 Energy Sources, Going Light(er) Fast(er) Far(ther) and Wasatch 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Pushing Vert

Published on November 30, 2011 by a ok.

Desperate snow conditions remain the theme lately. In the absence of new snow, I’ve been happy enough to ski anywhere where rocks won’t tear up my Hagan ski bases. Groomed runs have become a staple as I work on ski fitness. (Yikes!) Like many, I wish for a return of conditions like those found on my one ‘good’ day of the season (so far) which provided untracked, semi-steep powder without rocks. Still a fond memory.

Until then, it’s all been about getting into ski shape so I can take advantage when the goods are good. In that spirit, yesterday’s goal was 11,000 vertical. I fell short on the goal and only landed 9,000. Sometimes, time, like sand in an hourglass, runs out.

However, I noted three Continue reading ‘Pushing Vert’

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