Day 15: Dust on crust
If I weren't padding my day count, I probably would've stayed home. "Powder P***y," aka Marc_C, did precisely that. Bob Dangerous and I made plans to hook up at Collins at 9:45, and The Kid came along.
Bob reported "firm and fast" from yesterday, but as we approached the canyon it was obvious that they were getting some pre-frontal snowfall falling in varying intensities as we headed up. It was actually snowing pretty moderately upon arrival, and there was a good half inch to inch in places already accumulated.
Such trivial amounts, however, do nothing to hide what's underneath and merely give you something to edge into. Flat skis were quiet, but the snow got loud the instant you put them on edge. As a result, none of us were in a hurry to yo-yo the lifts today. Bob declared it "uninspiring."
That meant riding up Collins and skiing down Mambo and Spring Valley to Baldy Brews at Watson Shelter for a latté for me, mocha for Bob, and hot chocolate for The Kid. Nothing like taking a break after half a run!
We skied down to Collins, then headed over to Supreme, striking out Catherine's to Snowshoe Hill where north-facing aspects skied rather well, but west-facing exposures sported a nasty sun crust underneath the dusting. Once more back up Supreme and down Rock 'n Roll, we boarded Sugarloaf and as Bob headed into Snowbird's Mineral Basin (both lifts back there are running and the Sugar Shack gate is open) The Kid and I headed back to the truck to drive home.
Things are about to get good again. They're forecasting 4 to 8 tonight as the first in a series of Pacific waves lined up for this week arrives.
If I weren't padding my day count, I probably would've stayed home. "Powder P***y," aka Marc_C, did precisely that. Bob Dangerous and I made plans to hook up at Collins at 9:45, and The Kid came along.
Bob reported "firm and fast" from yesterday, but as we approached the canyon it was obvious that they were getting some pre-frontal snowfall falling in varying intensities as we headed up. It was actually snowing pretty moderately upon arrival, and there was a good half inch to inch in places already accumulated.
Such trivial amounts, however, do nothing to hide what's underneath and merely give you something to edge into. Flat skis were quiet, but the snow got loud the instant you put them on edge. As a result, none of us were in a hurry to yo-yo the lifts today. Bob declared it "uninspiring."
That meant riding up Collins and skiing down Mambo and Spring Valley to Baldy Brews at Watson Shelter for a latté for me, mocha for Bob, and hot chocolate for The Kid. Nothing like taking a break after half a run!
We skied down to Collins, then headed over to Supreme, striking out Catherine's to Snowshoe Hill where north-facing aspects skied rather well, but west-facing exposures sported a nasty sun crust underneath the dusting. Once more back up Supreme and down Rock 'n Roll, we boarded Sugarloaf and as Bob headed into Snowbird's Mineral Basin (both lifts back there are running and the Sugar Shack gate is open) The Kid and I headed back to the truck to drive home.
Things are about to get good again. They're forecasting 4 to 8 tonight as the first in a series of Pacific waves lined up for this week arrives.
