Alta, UT closing day 4/26/2015

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Day 61: That's all, folks!

Another 6" fell overnight (this time colder and drier) for a 14-inch storm total. Any day that your ski season closes with over a foot of fresh snow is going to rock, and rock it did.

At least until early afternoon.

That's when some pea soup-thick fog enveloped the mountain as we grilled burgers and brats in the parking lot for lunch. I had left my skis at Goldminer's in anticipation of returning to the lifts after lunch; however, when it became apparent that the fog wasn't going anywhere, parking lot attendant Colin gave me a lift back across the lot to go retrieve my skis. I changed out of my boots and settled in for the annual party.

With the weather, the party was woefully under-attended. Our group, however, kept it going in the lot's far northwestern corner, right next to the Watson Shelter staff with whom we continuously mixed and mingled. As far as Liftlines forum users go, we had Skidog, TheOtherAmy and Corey, BobMc and yours truly, but our group was around 25 people or so. AmyZ came up for the party, and BobMc brought over his wine after a day skiing at the Bird. Bobby Danger and rdwore apparently gave up on the weather and split.

The fog finally lifted around 5 p.m., allowing us a view of the few folks descending from the High Boy party. I only shot one photo, right after the fog lifted, because my phone was busy supplying the tunes. Corey Kopischke Photography has graciously supplied the others that appear below.

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ck_Alta closing 2015-18.jpg


ck_Alta closing 2015-21.jpg


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I packed it up at 6:45 p.m. and headed down canyon. After 61 days -- my lowest total since arriving in Utah over 10 years ago -- another season is in the bag.
 
After 61 days -- my lowest total since arriving in Utah over 10 years ago -- another season is in the bag.

Im amazed that I managed to get in just over 1/2 your total. That shows what a season it was.

I'm going to write up something in the coming weeks and post on here this year.
 
rdwore and i skied two more albion basin runs and went up sunny side for a final run of the year out the summer road to see what low angle had to offer . smoooooooooth was the optimum ! left the parking lot just before 4 p.m.-- not looking back at the year gone past --- few more weeks at the bird with a few side country runs thrown in-- ballroom and backside never opened-- their cooking to corn the next few days .
 
Marc,

Looks like a great party, but as noted, woefully under attended. Too bad the fog closed in...I heard Snowbird had Mineral and Road to Provo closed, keeping them hemmed in as well. Seems like that sums up the the year "The pleasure and the pain!"

I finished the year with 115 days, five trips to mecca and a broken shoulder. Guess that is the pleasure and the pain!
 
Bobby Danger":3gel75fx said:
ballroom and backside never opened-- their cooking to corn the next few days .
It wouldn't surprise me if that scenario lured admin out again this year.
 
flyover":28271vfw said:
Out of curiosity, what's the significance of the Hillary avatar?
Originally, at the start of the big mountain climbing season, a form of personal support for some folks I know that are on a Himalayan trip and a remembrance for a friend who perished on Broad Peak some years ago. Now after the recent Everest tragedy, an unfortunately darker tribute.
 
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