Tag Archive for 'snowpack'

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: , , , , , , , .

One of the Worst Ski Days of My Life

Published on April 17, 2012 by a ok.

It’s difficult to nail down my exact worst day of skiing. Short of a full burial by avalanche, every other episode probably pales in comparison. I say probably because that’s what I’ve heard from survivors.

Anyway, it had to happen sooner or later.. Perhaps it’s fitting that shortly after my best pow day of the season, I treated myself to one of the worst ski days of my life. After all, the idea fits the theme of this season perfectly: best year ever last season, worst year ever this season. Why wouldn’t my life resemble Mother Nature and her manic ways?

Much of the day, this was as good as it got. Is that an overhanging cornice? Underhanging? Is there a difference between ground and sky? Are you certain?

I’ve had days like this before, but as far as I can remember, this one provided just that little extra tickle to the funny bone, assuring that it wouldn’t be classified as just an ordinary off-kilter day. In my view, days like this are largely about sheer Continue reading ‘One of the Worst Ski Days of My Life’

Located in 03 Adventures, 11 Perspective, 12 Random and Wasatch 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Cold Fusion

Published on April 15, 2012 by a ok.

Mount Timpanogos's Cold Fusion couloir (the continuous line of snow extending from the summit down to the looker's right) occupies a fine spot on a beautiful piece of real estate.

Well, we didn’t ski it from the top (a perfect excuse to return!), but we did ski it in positively blower Utah conditions. This was no less than a snorkel meter 2 event, for the record. Timpanogos’ Cold Fusion was as close to heaven as Utah offered up on Saturday. With a text from Jim Knight the evening before, I knew only that a few people had signed on, and where and when to meet (Pine Hollow, 6 am). Arriving a full hour late intending to catch up to the group, I pulled in to see several folks milling about. I might have recognized Jim’s van if my head weren’t in the clouds. As it was, at the Continue reading ‘Cold Fusion’

Located in 03 Adventures, 14 Pictorials and Wasatch 8 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Denied

Published on April 13, 2012 by a ok.

Aiming for something fun and interesting to ski, Swain and I ended up retreating in the face of unstable snow – widespread cracking on a large slope – and simply skied low angle powder in the vicinity of both Red Baldy and Patsy Marley. I think we spent more time pushing our way out through deep snow than actually making turns. Did I mention that the warm snow stuck to our skins mercilessly on the up, despite the addition of skin wax? Right around 9,000 feet, there was a  noticeable change in the snow consistency, switching from a heavy, cream cheese consistency to light Utah finery. Didn’t matter, both types stuck to our skins. It was a thrill a minute.

Jon gets more skin wax happening.

Fortunately, we received compensation both for being denied, as well as having to push our way downhill. On our final run to the car, we were both treated to full-on face slushies as Continue reading ‘Denied’

Located in 12 Random and Wasatch 0 Comments Tags: , , .

The Flanks of Red Baldy

Published on April 7, 2012 by a ok.

With an afternoon trailhead departure time, Travis and I headed to some north facing options to avoid solar heat inspired headlines, and ended up banging around on Red Baldy. Plenty of other tracks there (15-20?), but plenty of untouched as well. Curious about the stability of the icy sandwich beneath the feet, a pit was dug. Dang, that’s some sandwich down there, still. Three, maybe four, separate, distinct ice layers in 2.5 feet of depth, with 6-10 inches rounding out the top. Reasonably stable, though. It’s a slice of good news, I’ll take it.

With a new lightweight bc rig, Travis nearly floats up the hills.

Snowpits aside, we got in some good conditions despite the heat, and managed two quick laps before Travis’ must-attend-to-girlfriend meter started sounding. Fortunately Continue reading ‘The Flanks of Red Baldy’

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

A Few Scenes From the Day

Published on April 5, 2012 by a ok.

Drank in some excellent scenery today whilst traveling solo. I’ll post up a few pics before I write about what was on my mind throughout the day (in coming days). As for the turns? Teeth chatteringly bulletproof on every aspect I visited (every one?). Except that I didn’t get any tooth chatter because I was doing my best impression of a mouth breathing valley girl during each descent. Beautiful.

Waterfalls mean it's hot out there. Pretty nonetheless.

Balancing summit.

This tree was something else. It had grown around this large rock, and sometime along the way, presumably got struck by lightning. It's really thin at the burned out section, but still supporting the weight of the full tree above.

Anyone know the name of this peak? (I don't, either)

And then the sun was setting, lighting up the space beneath those grey clouds...

Located in 14 Pictorials 0 Comments Tags: , , .