Ski AK: The Official 2013/20014 Thread

[carpathian]

Getting up Orca now is a pleasant hour and a half boot straight up through the forest on dirt. Then skins on for another hour to top. Skiing down through the west facing alder field with the convenient catch track recently cut in at the bottom.

Alyeska was vexing me today. Knew of late opening rolled into Java House at 12:15 saw Luke who said Tram would open at 12:25. Saw Jerry and Garret and they said they were going to stand at 6. I opted for 6 and was standing there crossing fingers that if tram would go 6 would too. It happens often enough that tram has too much wind...

Stood there 20 minutes or so and Kennedy came by and said still justin 40mph plus up high 6 would be a while. We all raced to tram. I barely made on tram then tram operator says that tram is now on wind hold and 6 was going to open. God damn it! Sitting at tram terminal for 15 minutes to reassess.

Wind eased, we got up and shredded the deep for awhile. 6 went on hold again. I stuck it out at 6 for 10 minutes then they opened again and we shredded the deep again then I was getting wet ass. There is only so much untracked pow you can ski in a day, amiright?

Went home installed water softener.

[ak_powder_monkey]

like from virgin creek TH? Or somewhere else?

I rolled up 4 after my second lesson of the day and skied my own lines off Kitchen wall and a few other shots at 3 sure was nice!

[flyman683]

I'll say it: Arctic Valley did not suck. Could find the sharks underneath but there was a sweet layer of blower on top.

Quite a few untouched lines left looking down valley along Hiland, at least on the ship Creek side, that we could see.

[ak_powder_monkey]

Tincan was pretty alright as well!

[JTrue]

Wondering about camping near Hatcher's Pass, are there pullouts you can pull a truck camper into and camp overnight? How about an RV, probably not recommended? Just thinking about other options if we get grounded due to weather. Probably pick up Stock's book when we get up there, but how are the storm skiing options?

[BFD]

You can camp in the parking lots. RV will work unless the road is icy.I would expect it to be melted off. Storm skiing is limited most of the skiing is in the Alpine. I am pretty sure after the past week there are other options.,

[ak_powder_monkey]

if its storming don't think you will really be able to ski anything in hatcher, there are no trees. Right now down south is firing pretty good, give a shout I'll show you around

[jbski]

Does anyone have an idea for how the snowpack is looking on Denali? Thinner than normal/average/deep? Any insight would be appreciated.

[JTrue]

Does anyone have an idea for how the snowpack is looking on Denali? Thinner than normal/average/deep? Any insight would be appreciated.

Looking to head up in 9 days. According to TAT it was average early season, but they are getting dumped on as of the last few weeks.

[JTrue]

if its storming don't think you will really be able to ski anything in hatcher, there are no trees. Right now down south is firing pretty good, give a shout I'll show you around

Sounds good, thanks Patrick!

[Mike_Records]

Saturday at Arctic Valley:

[JTrue]

Heading up tomorrow, looks like high pressure for the next bit. Due to some miscommunication with our pilot we won't be heading to the Alaska Range. Thinking the Neacolas as the first choice, if they have snow, Tordrillos second. Should have some time at the end of the trip to ski Hatcher or whatever is good. Stoked.

Intended zone in the Neacolas, couloirs for days!

[ak_powder_monkey]

Neacolas and Tordrillos... Part of the Alaska range... Maybe

http://thealaskarange.com/about-the-alaska-range/

[JTrue]

Neacolas and Tordrillos... Part of the Alaska range... Maybe

http://thealaskarange.com/about-the-alaska-range/

Yeah, Tordrillos are part of the Alaska Range. Should of been more clear, was originally planning on the Pika, so Denali Natl Park area. Neacolas are usually filed under Aleutian, it seems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleutian_Range

[ak_powder_monkey]

I would actually call tordrillos part of the aleutian range, just because of the active volcano in the middle of it. But who knows. They are all gorgeous, have fun.

[1thenaton1]

Intended zone in the Neacolas, couloirs for days!
[/QUOTE]

J - from here it looks like the yellow line on that road may have rubbed off - be careful driving up there! :0 Enjoy

Off to CPG on Sunday, can't wait

[scarlet begonias]

Southeast has been skiing really well. Just came out of a 5 day snow cycle and the sun has been out since Thursday and projected for the next 5/6 days.

With over 2m dropping over a 10 day period on the Juneau ice field I got the chance to fly with Alaska Powder Descents on Thursday. It was amazing!! Such a great operation. Our guide Chris Eckle is super knowledgable and upfront with terrain/conditions/safety. This was my second time flying with them and I have to say they are awesome.

Overall the stretch of weather we've had & have coming is pretty great. I heart AK.

[PointsNorth]

Yesterday here at PNH...Snow and riding has been very good. Bluebird is the forecast for the coming week

[Mike_Records]

Skied Carpathian yesterday. Big day for me both mentally and physically. Not highly recommended right now if you aren't into skiing blue ice over huge exposure. Trip report to come, a few pics for now:

Next time Malcolm will be bringing his ice axe:


Some good snow between the ice:


Fly on the wall:

[1thenaton1]

^Rad. Was up with CPG last week and it was pretty brutal. Mostly mid elevation glacier skipping in variable snow conditions. Definitely ogled Carpathian from afar.

[ak_powder_monkey]

Strong work Mike!

[1thenaton1]

Some not-so-rad POV footage from last week around Girdwood.




and a blog post waxing about it for those who care to click
http://thenaton.com/adventures/ak2014/

[Mike_Records]

Strong work Mike!

Thanks guys.

Anybody know where the name Carpathian comes from? I'm hoping its the superhuman vampire-esque people.

[JTrue]

Back from the Neacolas, rad area. Will post more after gear sorting and shower.

Sent from my HTC One X+ using TGR Forums

[ak_powder_monkey]

Some not-so-rad POV footage from last week around Girdwood.

and a blog post waxing about it for those who care to click
http://thenaton.com/adventures/ak2014/

That looks like incredibly fun skiing... And incredibly depressing... Alders shouldn't be seen in March

And you guys had those zones all to yourself, cause of the lack of snow