Tag Archive for 'ski mountaineering'

North Face Cardiff Peak

Published on May 10, 2012 by a ok.

Virtually every backcountry skier in the Wasatch passes across the north face of Cardiff Peak at one point or another. It’s the most direct route to Wasatch gems such as Mt. Superior, the Cardiac Ridge, Monte Cristo, and a host of other prime real estate. However, with substantial cliffs bisecting the upper face from the lower, most users don’t travel down the northern fall line from the summit.

Chute the Moon? Whoops, that's the name of a Jackson Hole ski descent...

Since I subscribe to the deeply religious philosophy of, ‘let not that slope go unskied which can be joined by a rope,’ it seemed high time to visit the terrain. The text to Jason Borro read: Short, sweet, steep, with a rappel. 45 min approach. Rarely done if ever. Tomorrow a.m. You in? Some time later I received a three letter, one word answer, rather than a paragraph of demurring explanations. That’s just what I hoped for. It was Continue reading ‘North Face Cardiff Peak’

Located in 03 Adventures and Wasatch 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Southwest Couloir Middle Teton

Published on May 8, 2012 by a ok.

Yogg on the Middle Teton summit, with a view of Disappointment Peak below and the Large Teton behind.

After going zero for four on interesting ski descent attempts in the Wasatch in recent weeks, going somewhere else seemed like a no-brainer. Deciding to head to the Tetons took about .5 seconds. Deciding what to ski took longer; any ski mountaineer who has visited the Teton Range knows that there is a lifetime of interesting, challenging, and engaging ski descents to choose from in this single range.

As it’s late in the season in a lackluster snow year, going up high made the most sense. Topping out at 12,804 feet, the Middle Teton offers altitude. I hoped it also offered decent snow. With light snow having fallen in recent days, Continue reading ‘Southwest Couloir Middle Teton’

Located in 03 Adventures and Tetons 4 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Monte Cristo Direct (Redux)

Published on April 10, 2012 by a ok.

It’s déjà vu all over again. – Yogi Berra

The ski days of late keep requiring a PROBAR breakfast – in my case, usually one PROBAR and one or two Fruition bars tossed down the hatch while driving to the mountains. Today’s feast included the new double chocolate flavor, as well as lemon. Both are flavorful!  It’s a fast breakfast of choice when time is at a premium. And, of late, spare time has been a little spare. Not unlike the direction the snowpack is heading.

Snow is quickly becoming a premium commodity in the ole Wasatch.

But, duty called. A page out of last season’s playbook apparently got mixed in with this year’s edition. The situation was virtually identical, leading to the need for the opening quote. Just as happened with last year’s Hellgate Couloir outing and subsequent solo return visit  Continue reading ‘Monte Cristo Direct (Redux)’

Located in 03 Adventures, 06 Energy Sources, 11 Perspective, Going Light(er) Fast(er) Far(ther) and Wasatch 4 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Monte Cristo Directissimo

Published on April 9, 2012 by a ok.

Pondsy came to town – all the way from Boston – so like any conscientious ski mountaineer, I did not suggest that we ski the foot or so of untracked, buttery soft, light as a feather powder still to be found on certain aspects here in the Wasatch range. No snorkel meter measurements for us. No. Instead, I agreed that it was a fine idea when he suggested the south facing Directissimo. That seemed likely to provide a fine outing on a variable snow surface.

The moon, sunrise, Superior, Pondsy out for a stroll in the Wasatch..

Indeed, the line included all of: bulletproof, flowing water, breakable crust, frozen avy debris, corn, chicken heads, and death cookies. No powder in sight. It was sweet. Some people search high and low for a ski descent that provides smooth consistency in the snow surface from top to bottom. That’s no way to Continue reading ‘Monte Cristo Directissimo’

Located in 03 Adventures, Going Light(er) Fast(er) Far(ther) and Wasatch 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

CAMP Speed Helmet Review

Published on March 15, 2012 by a ok.

Take a look at the helmets at any rando race starting line, and you’re likely to see several dark, yet bright, green helmets protecting the heads of some toeing the line. The CAMP Speed helmet isn’t quite ubiquitous, but it’s an increasingly common sight, both at races and simply out and about in the mountains. The Speed helmet is gaining popularity presumably because it offers those attributes that ski mountaineers prefer: safety in a lightweight and comfortable package.

The lightweight CAMP Speed helmet out and about in the mountains. Photo by Jason Borro.

CAMP bills the Speed as the world’s lightest UIAA certified climbing helmet. On my scale, it weighs a bit more than represented, tipping the scale at 8 5/8 oz., or 245 grams. CAMP claims 210 grams, so perhaps they weighed theirs – it’s a one size fits all model, at 56-62 cm head size – without the additional padding that lines the top of the helmet, the adjuster strap, and the chin strap. Regardless, the helmet weighs several ounces less than many competing models, while Continue reading ‘CAMP Speed Helmet Review’

Located in 13 Gear Testing and Going Light(er) Fast(er) Far(ther) 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

The Environs of Box Elder

Published on February 27, 2012 by a ok.

Oh Box Elder. If only you were this good to us today...

Super variable conditions out there today. Doesn’t matter. I’ve had my week of luscious powder, now I’m (mostly) just happy there’s snow on the ground.

Funny thing happened today. Headed out with Swain and Borro. Miles into the approach, I said nonchalantly to Swain, ‘this is a prime example of Wasatch crowding.’ No tracks, no one around for miles except the three of us. He laughed, we moved Continue reading ‘The Environs of Box Elder’

Located in 03 Adventures, 14 Pictorials and Wasatch 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .