Patchskiing TRs - Spring, Summer, and Autumn Stoke - 2017

[Vets]

Castle Peak and Andesite Peak, June 7, 2017

Two days earlier, while skiing Donner Summit, we noticed that Castle Peak had impressive snow coverage on its south facing slopes. This area would be our destination. We opted for a "dry" approach since the road/trail in was pretty well established and the snow was somewhat firm. Dry really isn't accurate. We each brought two extra pairs of socks to change into since our feet were cold and wet by the time we got to the ridge and were met by knock-you-on-your-ass winds. Good skiing with creamed corn snow made it all worthwhile.

Vets starts skiing below Castle Peak with Andesite Peak in the background.


Dookey67 skiing below Castle Peak with Andesite Peak in the background.


Vets skiing further down.


Next, we did a traverse/hike combo up toward Andesite Peak.

Dookey67 skiing Andesite Peak.



Vets slarving some late afternoon soft-serve snow on Andesite Peak.

[Vets]

Historic Donner Summit, June 12, 2017

By the twelfth of June most schools are out for summer. Is the first thing that comes to mind powder skiing? Yes!

Here is Dookey67's description:
"We hit up Historic Donner Summit at around 3:15. Visibility was classic San Francisco Ocean Beach-styled fog and heavy mist (you could not see "Poop Chute" from the road). After mulling over several options, we ended up skiing a super low-angle knoll right off the road. Snow was about 4 inches of thick&wet on a packed, yet soft base. It was also starting to form breakable crust. While we didn't kick off any serious wet slides, all of our turns looked like drunken snowboarder turns (it ended up looking like somebody raked the entire slope, instead of nice figure 8's). Pretty sure steeper terrain would have slid."

Historic Donner Summit. We skied the snow patch across the road.


Dookey67 making fresh tracks.


Vets skiing above the Tacomama.


Dookey67 finding his way through the fog.


Vets using Dookey67's tracks to find his way through the fog.


Dookey67 takes another run.


Vets takes another run.


While this was not your typical powder day, it was still fun to ski fresh snow.

[cliffhucker]

Sorry for the crappy pics, found a sweet gem last weekend, should have picked up a more this week!

[wyeaster]

one of my favorite threads

[dookeyXXX]

Sorry for the crappy pics, found a sweet gem last weekend, should have picked up a more this week!

so, where is this?

[Vets]

Scenic Chute Near Rock Creek Vista Point, Montana, June 16, 2017, Part One

Our original plan was to ski Beartooth Basin. We were first delayed by Beartooth Pass being closed in the morning after a dusting of snow. Next, after the road opened, Beartooth Basin wasn't running lifts due to a generator issue. Our plan "B" became skiing a snow patch we saw along the drive up that was about a quarter mile up from the Rock Creek Vista Point. After this we would ski above Beartooth Loop and Gardner Lake in Wyoming to complete patchskiing in two states in one day.

Dookey67 skiing the Scenic Chute near Rock Creek Vista Point.


Vets skiing the Scenic Chute Near Rock Creek Vista Point.


Part Two will be added soon.

[Vets]

Beartooth Loop, Gardner Lake, Wyoming, June 16, 2017, Part Two

After skiing Scenic Chute Near Rock Creek Vista Point, Montana, we headed back up the road to Beartooth Loop, Gardner Lake, Wyoming. The two laps we took here would allow us to complete patchskiing in two states in one day.

Vets skiing above Beartooth Loop.


Dookey67 on the approach for our second lap above Beartooth Pass Highway.


Dookey67 skiing above Gardner Lake.


Our tracks.


Mission accomplished. Skiing was great in both states.

[NoPostholio]

Great looking snowpack and keep er goin!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk

[Vets]

Lamoille Canyon, June 20, 2017

Our original plan was to ski a dusk patrol mission on June 19th with our friend Curtis. However, when we made it to road's end we were met by a downpour. We would set out again the next morning.

That evening's sunset shows why this range is called the Ruby Mountains.


Dookey67 starts down smoothly...

...carves and continues down...

...and continues to carve more creamed corn snow...


Vets slarves and sprays the creamed corn snow...

...and skis down toward the canyon...

...then navigates a gully with branches slalom on the lower portion of our run...


Our run provided us with around 1,000 feet of vertical pleasure. Lamoille Canyon is definitely on the to-do again list.

[Angle Parking]

I posted this on the Northern BC thread but thematically it belongs here as well. I've always like these patch skiing threads.

[Vets]

I posted this on the Northern BC thread but thematically it belongs here as well. I've always like these patch skiing threads.

That looks real nice.
Thank you and thank you.

[Vets]

Sonora Pass, June 22, 2017

Cooling off with Makisha and Penny.

Makisha wonders why Vets isn't skinning up faster.


Penny looking up at a steeper area.


A self-timer photo.


Tenacious Penny.


We all had fun cooling off on the snow.

[Vets]

After doing some yardwork earlier in the day, we (myself, Mrs. Vets, and our dogs Makisha and Penny) wanted to head up to Sonora Pass to cool off a bit.
On the approach we were greeted by a bit of hail, rain, thunder and lightning. While this would cool us off even more, it would mean just a little skiing.

Penny, Makisha, and Vets.



Further down Makisha watches Penny and Vets.


Sonora Pass panorama taken from the "Big Tree" parking area off of Highway 108.

I skied the open ridge on looker's left. Just one cool run.

[Vets]

Blue Lakes Road Ridge, June 26, 2017

When I heard that Blue Lakes Road was recently opened to the fourth gate (around 7.4 miles in) I was inspired to go on a recon ski mission. Makisha and Penny were happy to join me.

Penny is happy to be out on the snow.


Vets starts down after Makisha and Penny with The Nipple in the background. (Self-timer photo)


Makisha and Penny.



A successful recon mission. The snow conditions were smooth and creamy. The coverage on The Nipple looks very impressive. I plan to return. I hope that they open the road soon to make access to The Nipple easier.

[Paul Blart]

Vets do you have any more pictures of the nipple? I'm very intrigued right now considering I have the next two days off.

[Vets]

Vets do you have any more pictures of the nipple? I'm very intrigued right now considering I have the next two days off.

This photo is looking up at the north facing bowl of The Nipple. It was taken from the ridge behind the "B-Cup Chute."

I skied the "B-Cup Chute" today. I'll post some more photos after I sort through them.
From what I could see both the north bowl through the northeast chute AND the east ridge go all the way from near the top.
More good news - I saw a big snowblowing truck clearing Blue Lakes road above the 4th gate.

[Paul Blart]

Right on, thank you, would the northeast chute be the chute you can clearly see in your self timer photos from two days ago?

[Vets]

Right on, thank you, would the northeast chute be the chute you can clearly see in your self timer photos from two days ago?

The northeast chute is just above my pole basket in the self-timer photo.

P.S. The "B-Cup Chute" is just above Makisha in the self-timer photo (there is a relatively large tree in the hourglass choke.)

[Paul Blart]

The northeast chute is just above my pole basket in the self-timer photo.

P.S. The "B-Cup Chute" is just above Makisha in the self-timer photo (there is a relatively large tree in the hourglass choke.)

Awesome, that was exactly what I thought. Thanks again!

[Vets]

The Nipple, "B-Cup Chute", June 28, 2017

After doing a recon ski mission two days earlier on Blue Lakes Road Ridge, I had a strong desire to head back and ski some of what I could see. The "B-Cup Chute" looked like it was filled in with smooth snow. Makisha and Penny were also excited to go.

Penny straitlining the lower portion of the "B-Cup Chute"


Makisha and Vets (self-timer photo)


Vets (self-timer photo)


A two-minute long video.


Here is the URL:

I skied 7 more smaller patches on the way down after this. I'll be heading back to this area to explore more.

[Vets]

Forestdale Patches, June 30, 2017

After hearing that Forestdale Road was partially/halfway open, I decided to take Makisha and Penny with me on a recon mission. This would also provide a good start to the long Independence Day weekend. We would start from just past the bridge over Forestdale Creek and hike all the way up the road to Forestdale Divide.

From the top of the Forestdale Divide we headed up to the "Luniz Patch" and took three runs. The first was on the "Luniz Backside Patch" which delivered double the amount of turns (10) as the "Luniz Frontside."

Makisha and Vets on the Luniz Backside Patch (self-timer from first run)


My second run was on the frontside of the "Luniz Patch" -
Makisha, Penny, and Vets on the Luniz Patch (self-timer from second run)


My third run would start at the top of the "Luniz Patch" and continue non-stop to the bottom of "The Patch" or the "Right Patch"
A panoramic view across the Right Patch.

We hiked up from the bottom of the "Right Patch" to the top of the "Center Patch" which connected with the "Left Patch"

Penny and Makisha want me to get going on the Upper Center Patch (self-timer prior to fourth run)

Vets, Penny and Makisha on Upper Center Patch (self-timer from fourth run)


I was able to find a snow-filled gully below the "Left Patch" to ski down which shortened the hike out back to the Forestdale Creek Bridge. There is a lot of snow and many more patches to ski around Forestdale Divide.

[Vets]

Ebbetts Pass, July 1, 2017

Ebbetts Pass had just opened the previous day. Splat and I set up a car shuttle to ski "Chinese Fireball Dragon Chute" down to Kinney Reservoir.

Splat on the warm and dry portion of our downclimb (or rappelling without a rope) into what is left of Chinese Fireball Dragon's head.

Splat on the cold and wet portion of our downclimb (or rappelling without a rope) into what is left of Chinese Fireball Dragon's head.

Splat clicks in on a shelf on Chinese Fireball Dragon's neck.


Vets skiing "Chinese Fireball Dragon Chute"...

...exiting "Chinese Fireball Dragon Chute"...


Splat hopping down "Chinese Fireball Dragon Chute"...


Splat skiing above Kinney Reservoir.


Splat skiing in front of one of the waterfalls on the way down.


Vets skiing above Kinney Reservoir.


Splat considers pond skimming across Kinney Reservoir in order to avoid the hike out.


Splat completes the log crossing on the hike out.


A panoramic view across Kinney Reservoir looking up at Ebbetts Peak.

A closer view.

We skied "Chinese Fireball Dragon Chute" (what is left of it after a knight named Heat Wave chopped off most of its head) on upper looker's right and the chute below Ebbetts Peak that goes all the way to Kinney Reservoir.

[Vets]

The Nipple, "B-Cup Chute" July 2, 2017
I returned to the "B-Cup Chute" with my friend MJ since it skied so well four days earlier (and Blue Lakes Road was still closed at the fourth gate.)

MJ in front of a triple waterfall on our approach.


We started with a few warm-up runs on the upper ridge.
MJ on the upper ridge.



Vets on the upper ridge.



MJ on the "B-Cup Chute"


Vets on the "B-Cup Chute"


Vets slarving down our exit path, which also seemed to be an avalanche path based on bent and cleared trees along with areas of debris-like snow.


It was well worth a return trip to this magical place.

[Vets]

Sweetwater Mountains, July 4, 2017
Mrs. Vets and I celebrated Independence Day with our dogs Makisha and Penny by making a dusk patrol recon mission in the Sweetwater Mountains.
Looking up at the zig-zag snowpatch up on the unnamed 10,452 ft. peak with the moon in the background. This patch provided around 700 feet of vertical.


Tree roots near the top that must be worth 500 GNARL points for Mrs. Vets.


Makisha leaps with excitement about Vets starting to ski.


Penny, Makisha, and Vets heading down with Lobdell Lake in the background.


Vets skiing above Lobdell Lake.


Penny, Makisha, and Vets skiing off into the sunset.


Vets skiing down with Lobdell Lake in the background.


A successful recon mission that was fun for all.

[Vets]

Monitor Pass, July 7, 2017

While hiking around Monitor Pass with our dogs the previous afternoon we were surprised to find a slightly hidden snowpatch. So we returned the next evening.
A leftover snow patch on a ridge below Leviathan Peak.


Penny.


Vets skiing below the Leviathan Peak Fire Lookout.


Vets skis by while an insect does a fly by.


A self-timer photo.


It was a pleasant surprise to find enough snow to ski Monitor Pass in July.