WASATCH STOKE, CONDITIONS, OBSERVATIONS, AND ASSORTED DRIVAL 18-19

[claymond]

I had been up that way in the spring a long time ago, it feels faster than any of the other approaches. Booting the E face is more committing with all the stuff hanging over your head and the cliff below, although I would have preferred knowing what the cliff looked like instead of dropping in blind. And the S face is not really an option I think, traversing the ridge would take a lot of time and even more fear.
The BW aprons are a bit shorter and lower angle than the E face, less time spent facing the dragon! In 2011 there was a monster crown across both aprons, this time we managed to skin the sluffs about 2/3 of the way up then it was perfect booting. And the cirque is such a magical place to be!
I had been waiting to go back up there since getting skunked in 2011. Could probably have done it a dozen times since then but 8 years is a short time to wait for the right conditions!
"We shall continue with style".

I've taken some good long looks at it from the south peak, getting into the NE couloir from the south is a doable looking but long traverse across the face, and you'd miss that rad rollover thru blocks of granite-way less stylish!

[Boissal]

I've taken some good long looks at it from the south peak, getting into the NE couloir from the south is a doable looking but long traverse across the face, and you'd miss that rad rollover thru blocks of granite-way less stylish!

I think coming in from the S side is a better way to get into the E face proper (the next couloir to the south of the NE), looks like it goes clean this year. Following the ridge and contouring the summit blocks would be super spicy to get to the NE but I agree, you can traverse into it below the rollover and skip the tippy top which is were the best exposure is.
There are tons of possibilities up there this year, many lines and variations seem to be in. It's not the easiest place to lap but once you've paid your 6000' approach dues might as well make it count!!

[Adski]

Super impressive Boissal. The approach is one of my favorite places and seeing the connection helps a lot. Kelner and Hanscomb would be proud!

[Boissal]

Super impressive Boissal. The approach is one of my favorite places and seeing the connection helps a lot. Kelner and Hanscomb would be proud!

Ha! Thanks! Love reading some of the description in the Wasatch touring books, it's amazing how our perception of what constitutes skiable terrain has changed. These guys got around, the 3rd volume has some of the best beta to venture into the southern Wasatch and not get hopelessly lost.

[mall walker]

decided to chance the wet storm a little low, glad I did. "wintry mix" below 7k, but around 7500' and up there was 6-8" of graupel, maybe more. pretty well bonded up to 9k' on the north half, where I was anyway.





one of my favorite spots



surfy and fast. not another soul around, not even in the parking lot. ~1-2" of wet snow at 6k' by the time I got back to the car.

[getoutside]

surfy and fast. not another soul around

^^ good to see you yesterday man. pretty quiet in grizzly this morning as well. turns were good and that sign made me laugh. pretty clear indicator of things to come i guess...

[SirHeady]

BREAKING


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[BobMc]

Somebody else posted that on the Insta yesterday. Had to point out to them that Alterra owns Solitude. Fake.

[jtran10]

surfy surfy at alta this AM. Backside in the sun for the first lap, then a couple greeley/north rus. Ping pong ball + the lines + work sent me home after 3

[rightcoast]

I am landing in SLC at 11 tomorrow AM. Will we have any trouble Ski ubering up to Alta with the weather coming in??

[Lone Star]

^^^^ generally it's easy to get a ride up but getting down can be tough. if the forecast continues to be for peak storminess during the day tomorrow, though, you might consider paying the extra bucks and letting Alta Shuttle do the work. [also, they sometimes get line privileges if there's a closure....]

[mall walker]

can always take the bus down also and get a ride from one of the park n rides

[rightcoast]

Thanks for the info. Do you think Alta shuttle is the way to go during the storm tomorrow??

[drstuess]

Uberski up, bus down has worked for me in the past. The bus is pretty easy...

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[bigdude2468]

Considering Collins today (Thursday) was back to the Buckhorn tomorrow and Saturday could be gross.

Can anybody explain why IKON skiers think powder cords are necessary with 3” of new?

[whyturn]

[mall walker]

^ woot! looks good

[happytimefunbox]

I am landing in SLC at 11 tomorrow AM. Will we have any trouble Ski ubering up to Alta with the weather coming in??

If you can burn a couple hours I get out of work 3 ish downtown and could shuttle you up if the other options are a nogo

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[North]

Considering Collins today (Thursday) was back to the Buckhorn tomorrow and Saturday could be gross.

Damn. Was hoping to get up there tomorrow. Bird was pretty much ski on/walk on all day

[Lone Star]

Can anybody explain why IKON skiers think powder cords are necessary with 3” of new?

,,,,,,,,,,


or, graupel pooling?

[whyturn]

Considering Collins today (Thursday) was back to the Buckhorn tomorrow and Saturday could be gross.

Can anybody explain why IKON skiers think powder cords are necessary with 3” of new?

Nobody can explain Ikon skiers. They have most likely never skied a real hill. It’s NY, Jersey and ice coast.

Saturday should be good for sure.

[dfinn]

Sounds like the sun really did some damage today even though it didn’t show its face for long. I was getting ready to head up flag around 5 when a guy came down and said something along the lines of “the only way that could’ve been worse is if I blew a knee out”.

Bailed to WP, Scottie’s skied surprisingly great until the last couple hundred feet.

[rightcoast]

If you can burn a couple hours I get out of work 3 ish downtown and could shuttle you up if the other options are a nogo

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Totally appreciate that!! I'll let you know ASAP if we could use your assistance!

[mall walker]

back to the well with Boissal











hell yeah

[dfinn]

hell yeah is right! surprisingly deep and good this am