2012 Montana Conditions, Stoke and Whatev Thread

[Norseman]

Climbed it in 09, might be able to dig up a pic. Unique mountain... mysterious geology.

Whole Madison range is badazz

[Gnar_Shralp406]

I am a Salomon guy, have been for a long time but I don't have narrow feet. I like them cause the plastic in the new shells is very moldable, I also use Zip-fit liners. When you are in Big Sky next, go in to LMS and if you can, talk to Scott (frmr owner of the shop). He is a good bootfitter and can answer your questions way better than I can.

Scott and Ordean are in on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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[swimmy]

Anyone got photos of the Sphinx or others in the area so us non-Montanans can have some eye candy?

Southern Madison Range.

[swimmy]

Was looking for a decent pic of the Sphinx and realized I don't really have one. Gotta fix that.

But here you can see it in the middle of the range.

[Norseman]

(old pics, pre-nice-camera days)


The Sphinx, as viewed from atop The Helmet





Lofty views off the south side





The Helmet

[swimmy]

Very nice.

Love the black and white of the Helmet.

[kathleenturneroverdrive]

"Few times in a decade"? Wow. Looked tempting last spring.

FWIW the mellower stuff on the Sphinx gets skied all the time. It's the not-so-mellow stuff that rarely ever sees skis.

If you're interested, this book is a very well put together local guidebook.

[VTeton]

Find myself at Big sky for work and trying to figure out how to stay March 2-6. Any lodging ideas for 1 person. Maybe 2 if I need to find a 2nd person to share lodging costs.

Huntley is $880/night.

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[Bunion 2020]

Huntley is $880/night.

But do they throw in the Breakfast buffet? And what is the Shoshone or the Summit p/night? Afraid to ask.

Meanwhile, got to ski with Swimmy today and saw Yeahman and his junior ripper daughter in the tram line. 1st 2 laps the line was kind of big, then it tapered down to manageable. So, WTF is up with all these folks trying to buy a tram access at the bottom of the stairs and then when they finally get the damn pass the ticket checkers let them cut the line? Don't give a shit when the line is short but its bullshit when its a 5 cabin wait.

[yeahman]

^^Nice to see bunion and swimmy in the tram line though we never did end up on the same car. What an excellent bluebird day on Lone Mountain. Noticed the Dirtbag Wall was filled in nicely so we hit it last lap.

[yeahman]

Find myself at Big sky for work and trying to figure out how to stay March 2-6. Any lodging ideas for 1 person. Maybe 2 if I need to find a 2nd person to share lodging costs.

Huntley is $880/night.

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West Yellowstone or Belgrade

[swimmy]

Bunion - nice to finally meet ya. Yeahman, awesome to see you and your daughter gettin' after it. Really cool.

Like was mentioned, absolutely beautiful day at the Big. I played tourist for a minute in between laps and grabbed a few shots from the summit. Such a cool peak. Kind of reminds me of Mt Forbidden in the Cascades.

Anyone here skied it? I keep thinking maybe one day...

[upallnight]

FWIW the mellower stuff on the Sphinx gets skied all the time. It's the not-so-mellow stuff that rarely ever sees skis.

If you're interested, this book is a very well put together local guidebook.

Thank you. Your username made me laugh!

I figured Trackhead was just being, well, Trackhead, and that there are a variety of lines.

I'm still at the stage of identifying what I'm seeing. Most often I'm driving and don't have the guidebook in front of me (I do own a copy—thanks for recommending).

It's also not terribly easy for me to do drive-by (serious) ski mountaineering — this snowpack and the conditions reward someone with boots in the snow here, daily. I'm very familiar with Teton lines/snowpack/weather — without that knowledge the odds of randomly hitting a big line in proper conditions are about zero.

It's interesting how much more snow there is on the side of the road (and presumably the peaks) toward the south end of the range (287/87 intersection) vs 1/2-way to Ennis.

This is what I meant by the roadside looking dry (today):


Interesting peak/skiable lines:


Navigating private property seems like it would be a crux:


Edit to add:
Spotted and photographed some eagles along the way. Got a frame with the eagle's eyelid... opening laterally.

“Why do eagles have 3 eyelids?
The third eyelid, an inner eyelid, is called the nictitating membrane. This eyelid is transparent, and sweeps across the eye from side to side. They evolved this extra layer of protection to keep their eyes moist and clean while still being able to see.”

[total_immortal]

Anyone here skied it? I keep thinking maybe one day...

Both peaks in question are local classics. Gallatin is better skiing if you have to pick one

[lifelinksplit]

Gallatin is a fun one but I want to see pics of the cooley on Fan. We came in from Ennis side(no moonlight golf course or tram access) and hiked the sub-ridge as avies started raining down. Got a good look but tucked our tails and bailed.

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[swimmy]

Both peaks in question are local classics. Gallatin is better skiing if you have to pick one

I've looked at Gallatin for 20 years. Think I'm going to get it done this spring.

[Trackhead]

Hanging out at White Sulphur hot springs skiing Showdown. Forecast was looking good for tomorrow but just got chopped big time. Friggin weather guessers…..

[swimmy]

Got out for a walk today.





And this mutt is a little bad ass.

[toastybroski]

Forecast looking real good for big sky this week. I’m seeing 27 inches by next Monday.

[I Skied Bandini Mountain]

Forecast looking real good for big sky this week. I’m seeing 27 inches by next Monday.

Dickface forecasters and modelmakers have been all over the place, makes it a pain in the ass to make work plans this week. They need to forecast a dump and make it happen for fucks sakes.

[toastybroski]

Dickface forecasters and modelmakers have been all over the place, makes it a pain in the ass to make work plans this week. They need to forecast a dump and make it happen for fucks sakes.

Forecasts here always seem inaccurate.

[Talisman]

I doubt 27 inches by Monday, but it is snowing at Pig Sty now and I will be happy for 2-3 inches of fresh on Tuesday.

Forecast looking real good for big sky this week. I’m seeing 27 inches by next Monday.

[Bunion 2020]

^^^ My thoughts exactly. January is usually a dry month although this has not been a usual winter so far.

Give me a little snow and some wind and I will be happy.

[toastybroski]

I doubt 27 inches by Monday, but it is snowing at Pig Sty now and I will be happy for 2-3 inches of fresh on Tuesday.

2-3 inches of fresh each day for a week would be amazing.

[byates1]

Teton pass this coming weekend? Throwing it out there.