WASATCH STOKE, CONDITIONS, OBSERVATIONS and ASSORTED DRIVAL 19-20

[criscam]

And Hell's Canyon/Top of Tram gate at the Basin. 4 deaths there in recent history. And people will traverse right over and above in-bounds controlled, untracked, fall-line terrain to get to it.

black/double black terrain is so 2010. skull and crossbone lines are all the rage now.

[Canada1]

And Hell's Canyon/Top of Tram gate at the Basin. 4 deaths there in recent history. And people will traverse right over and above in-bounds controlled, untracked, fall-line terrain to get to it.

On Saturday I was with my daughter, youngest, skiing in bound trees. We skied until last chair and had large sections of every run untouched.

That cliff begs to be sent, is visible to everyone, and when right is epic. It also is hard to understand. The rock surface under it doesn’t bond well. It wind loads and is highly susceptible to sun and freeze cycles making it break when a lot of other snow has set up. It is what it is, but closure is a dangerous precedent.
I have had big arguments with my oldest when I’ve told him I will take his pass if I catch him to the skiers right of the trees. He thinks he knows everything and is susceptible to group think. For me, that zone just is off the list.

[getoutside]

It's too cold and the snow is all bad, just stay home...

^^

[snowaddict91]

Had a damn fine morning skiing around the Bird with toastybroski. Pretty unreal that its only mid-december.

[mall walker]

^^^ damn that looks sick

[zion zig zag]

Yeah coverage is good, even at low-ish elevation.

[toastybroski]

Had a damn fine morning skiing around the Bird with toastybroski. Pretty unreal that its only mid-december.

It was SOOOO good!! Thanks for showing me around! First time in forever I have been getting mouthfulls of fucking snow.

Here're some of my goods from Friday and today.

[Boissal]

+1 on shockingly good coverage for this time of the year. I have yet to hit a rock or buried log (fingers and toes crossed) and I've already skied areas I usually don't touch until later in the season because of the amount of snow required to bury the ground carnage.

I know it's utter blasphemy to say this but I prefer the dense pow we've been getting over the usual Wasatch floof. Trailbreaking is easier, you can forget about what lives in the basement, and the only speed limit is dictated by your quads. Face shots be damned, I'm here to give wigglers some nightmares!

One more in the cloudy pow theme, minus the skier due to solo rolling:

Attachment 306406

[snowaddict91]

I know it's utter blasphemy to say this but I prefer the dense pow we've been getting over the usual Wasatch floof. Trailbreaking is easier, you can forget about what lives in the basement, and the only speed limit is dictated by your quads. Face shots be damned, I'm here to give wigglers some nightmares!

You can have both you know. Those two storms we had in January last year that came in super wet and finished dry provided some skiing that I will never forget as long as I live. Actually the blower we got today was in that same vein, just not as deep as those days.

We are damn spoiled here in the Wasatch. Someone asked me today how the conditions compare to a 'normal' day in the Wasatch, and I said "meh, its about average."

[Norseman]

I know it's utter blasphemy to say this but I prefer the dense pow we've been getting over the usual Wasatch floof. Trailbreaking is easier, you can forget about what lives in the basement, and the only speed limit is dictated by your quads.

another important point... it sticks to the steep shit.

[Boissal]

You can have both you know. Those two storms we had in January last year that came in super wet and finished dry provided some skiing that I will never forget as long as I live. Actually the blower we got today was in that same vein, just not as deep as those days.

We are damn spoiled here in the Wasatch. Someone asked me today how the conditions compare to a 'normal' day in the Wasatch, and I said "meh, its about average."

We have a lot more of the light fluff than the dense spongy snow which makes the latter even more of a treat when it happens. Especially early season when it makes it feel like we have a 100" base already.
As far as being spoiled, it's hard to disagree. Every day last year could have been a best day ever.

another important point... it sticks to the steep shit.

Truth. There's a reason we don't shred pillows in the Wasatch. Small price to pay...

[jtran10]

how's the S facing holding up? thinking about a 230 pm tour tomorrow with phall on something fast and easy

[tBatt]

how's the S facing holding up? thinking about a 230 pm tour tomorrow with phall on something fast and easy

We were socked in with light snow in Alta all day. Should be good to go.

[claymond]

Skied an Emma's this afternoon around 3. Clouds were in and out, snow was just slightly damp. Looking at the forecast id guess tomorrow at that time it'll be wet

[tBatt]

Missed the 2:30pm part. Ditto what Claymond said. Sun's gonna be strong tomorrow.

[Dshack89]

S facing was still skiing fantastic this morning...get after it while its good!!

Sent from my SM-N970U using TGR Forums mobile app

[JongDoe]

another important point... it sticks to the steep shit.

Yikes, gotta go change my pants.

[mar123]

South facing blower this AM, maybe it'll hold up through today with the frosty temps. Lotsa S facing slide paths in LCC gettin hit this AM. Upper Cardiff looking stupid fat for mid December, need to get up there and dig some pits....overall Good coverage, get some!

[mall walker]

^ FKNA rad shot. yeah pretty chilly this am... -3 at the mid-canyon th



us glass-half-full guys don't mind though

[claymond]

Nice everyone. Killer last couple days

[fantastic_damage]

You all can thank me for this incredible start to the season, my Wife just gave birth to our 2nd baby boy. She's out for a bit but wont be soon before she is back on the hill! needless to say i missed every pow day so far haha.

[Boissal]

S facing was spectacular this AM but is probably done for by now, what we skied at 10AM looked haggard on the 2nd lap with roller balls and pinwheels forming everywhere and small naturals running off the rocks. I could have done without the mid-December glopping, it was shockingly hot for this time of the year! A brutal but welcome contrast after 3 hours spent skinning in the Millcreek freezer, even the resident Porter Fork moose was trying to get up into the sun when we passed by him. Zipper crust madness is on the menu for tomorrow.

It's been a long time since we've had air this clear, I could see Pilot Peak in NV from the top of Gobbs.

You all can thank me for this incredible start to the season, my Wife just gave birth to our 2nd baby boy. She's out for a bit but wont be soon before she is back on the hill! needless to say i missed every pow day so far haha.

Your sacrifice is much appreciated!

[new yabyum]

South facing blower this AM, maybe it'll hold up through today with the frosty temps. Lotsa S facing slide paths in LCC gettin hit this AM. Upper Cardiff looking stupid fat for mid December, need to get up there and dig some pits....overall Good coverage, get some!

Superb shot!

[new yabyum]

S facing was spectacular this AM but is probably done for by now, what we skied at 10AM looked haggard on the 2nd lap with roller balls and pinwheels forming everywhere and small naturals running off the rocks. I could have done without the mid-December glopping, it was shockingly hot for this time of the year! A brutal but welcome contrast after 3 hours spent skinning in the Millcreek freezer, even the resident Porter Fork moose was trying to get up into the sun when we passed by him. Zipper crust madness is on the menu for tomorrow.

It's been a long time since we've had air this clear, I could see Pilot Peak in NV from the top of Gobbs.


Your sacrifice is much appreciated!

Pilot's peak? That's clarity and rarity.

[Boissal]

Pilot's peak? That's clarity and rarity.

Pun intended
Behold:



Zoomed in since it doesn't look anywhere near as clear in the pic. Deseret is also poking its nose.



From the top of Pilot a few years ago we could see the Twins, Lone Peak, Nebo, even Ibapah. Insane views when you're standing 6k over the desert in the middle of nowhere...