Patrick
Well-known member
This is long folks!!!
Thursday JUNE 9th
Woke at 5:30am, wide awake!!! Staying in bed and dreaming what a beautiful day this is going to be. After some talk, a quick breakfast and getting my gear ready to check out (the Davison Street was all booked for the following 3 days), I headed to the mountain. It's a beautiful drive between the town and the Main Lodge. Road with a few switchbacks with tall pin trees and huge snowbanks, sometimes you get a glimpse of this huge mountain. The mountain had 3 lifts running (1,3,23) from 7 to 2.
I was in front of the parking lot, I guess only the diehards get here so early in June. I started up the Broadway Express (lift 1) at 8:30am. I found out throughout the week that most people start skiing at 10 when the snow is soft. If I recall correctly, it was 39F and windy at the base. I dressed conservatively; ski jacket, tuque, goggle and regular glove.
"Take it easy" and drink plenty of water was the game plan, I will be here for 5 days plus I wanted to slowly adapt himself to this altitude (8,900 to 11,000) Started off with Broadway, I have rarely been so excited skiing a blue run, I guess this happens when you're skiing in June in a new HUGE place far from home. It was sweet, nice and hard, perfect to carve some GS turns, some Westerners might can this ICY, I call it nice. The Forest trail was next, narrower groomer with rollers. The vertical of these runs are 1000' which make them higher that most ski areas in the Laurentians and Ontario.
Moved up to the Face Lift (#3) for a couple runs mainly down the groomed Center Bowl then all the way down via Mambo. That run was the vertical of Monts Sutton, Orford and Owl's Head (1600'), and I wasn't skiing off the top yet. A limited Mammoth Mountain definately has more to often that most ski areas in Eastern Canada. Skiing off the groomed stuff was somewhat challenging, it's was either frozen solid or sun cuped. I got at the top of Face Lift, but skiied toward the Saddle Bowl while admiring the steeps off the summit like Climax and Hangman's Hollow. After a couple runs on the bottom part of the mountain via the steeper groomed run like Terry's run, I headed to the top of Chair 23. The black diamonds groomers next to chair 1 (Ralphies, Fascination, Far West) were used by the US National Development Team, I made sure to carve them up once the kids were gone in the afternoon. The lift vertical for chair 23 is 1100' and access a huge wide open area of steeps lines. Did I mentioned this lift has no safety bar, something would definately not see in Quebec.
Cornice Bowl was the first run off the top, the only groomed run on the front side. There was an easier way down via Road Runner which make a beautiful tour across the ridge and back which I only discoved on my last day.
Headed for the steeps after that, first one off the list was the Wipe Out chutes. Ski all the way to the car via St. Anton, almost 2000 feet. Once that run was over I was hot and change my clothes of my jacket for a shelveless vest, small gloves and hat. I also had snack. After one run on the race abandon Fascination trail, it was back to chair #23. Explored Paranoid Flats I headed toward the bottom of Philippe's. PF is steeper than it's looks. The slope in and under Philippe's was litered with rocks. I got out of this area via White Bark Bowl and cutting across to Bristlecome. Once the slope got flater, the greater was the size of the Sun Cup. Bristlecome (blue run) was covered in huge holes each varying between 2-3 feet deep. It was the closest thing to skiing on the Moon that I ever did, I was so happy to hit the GROOMED Sesame Street. Dark clouds and rain were moving in, there were also a possibility of thunderstorm. I felt a few rain drops sometimes during my last 3 runs of the day on Scotty's, Drop Out-St.Anton and Far West. I called it quits are 1:45 after19 runs and 19,100'. Not much compared to Tony, but I satisfied. Not bad for a first day, now on to Motel 6.
Friday JUNE 10th
Got started 30 minutes earlier on Friday. It was slightly warmer and not a cloud in the sky. From today forward, I would start ski with my sun glasses instead of goggle, small hat and gloves to start off the day. The jacket would be traded in at 10am. On this day, I skied more non-groomers. Started off Broadway again then heading to Face Lift. Groomed Center Bowl, followed by Christmas Bowl/Mambo and the heavily suncuped backside via China Bowl. After other Face to Bottom run (Saddle/Mambo), I headed for 23. The top was still firm, but I had a great time again downWipe Out next to the rocks a few times. Different lines in Paranoid, the exposure definately make it softer and downright slush fest at the end of the day. Also did a chute in Drop Out, which I hit a hidden rock (more like a boulder). Wipe Out was my favorite, the exposure versus Drop Out, allowed it to remain firm longer. It's was also less skied and not as bumped.
I did the bumplines off West Bowl (#3) once, but I definately prefer the sleep line under chair #1 called Gravy Chute. Today I might have done 20 runs for 18,900', but I skied much less groomed runs. I was feeling less the effect of altitude today.
Saturday JUNE 11th:
This is the reason why I came here, skiing on my birthday. It's Saturday and I started probably earlier than I ever did: 7:30am on the slopes. I was going to get to explore a whole different mountain today, the gondola and Stump Alex Express (#2) was open while chair #23 was closed. Started skiing mainly off chair #2 and the lower groomers for the first 7 runs (Stump Alley, Patrolmen's, Mambo, Forest and Broadway). Set off to explore after the moon surface Rooster Tail/Dry Creek. Lucky that Solitude and Easy Rider were groomed to get back to the bottom of lift #2. This part of the mountain was deserted, maybe it was due to the fact there were signs indicating that this area wasn't patrolled. The next run was from the top to bottom: Climax/Christmas Bowl to the nicely groomed Coyote/Easy Rider, almost 2300' vertical. I had notice the Coyote from my previous run, another that I noticed was Roger's Ridge near the bottom, which I did the next two runs. Except for the leadup in cratered snow, the pitch was nice and soft and it was barely 10am. I had already 15 runs at 10:30am when I teamed up on the way to the Upper Gondola with two great skiers from the Bay area in which we skied the same lines on Wipe Out the previous day. Headed up to top of Climax, then Gary, Tony's friend showed up (he recognized my description I left on his voicemail that morning). Down a nice and soft Climax we went. In the next run, I followed Gary in the exploration of Dave's Run to Solitude. What a nice long tour. There was a huge Cornice off Dave then Solitude's snow conditions were perfect. There were a few small wet slides on Climax and a few small crevasses that were opening up on the sleep face. Same thing was observe on Dave's Run the next day.
After this tour via Solitude, the pace was going to pick up. Back to the top with the first of 3 runs in a row in Hangman's Hollow. The hour glass was definately tigher. First tour down on the left side above the rocks then all the way down via St. Anton. Back up to the top with the gondola to start that again. Ran into the Bay area skiers!!! Hangman's straight down the middle, definately the steepest option. This run was awesome, made my year's hightlight reel, let's do it again!!! My brain was in it for the third run, but my legs were no longer responding to the "turn" command. This run was a bit dangerous. Took it easy for the last run and went back to Climax-Fascination. It was 1:50pm, I was spent. I was having so much fun, that I didn't stop to get rid of my jacket and eat. Almost 6.5 hours of skiing, non-stop, 23 runs and 24,800 vetical feet. I definately had my second wind, no effect from the altitude today. We all had a well-deserved beer at the Yodler at the end of the day.
Sunday JUNE 12th:
Blame it on Glen Plake!!! I only started skiing at 9am. Yes, I was watching Glen Plake's RSN TV show: Reel Thrills, the show runs from 10 to11PM.
Today was the warmest day yet, started my day with my vest. It was 51F at 9am. Parked in Parking lot #2 today, definately more accessible Groomers were not on the menu today, after the traditional first run down Broadway, I headed for Sanctuary in Chair #5.territory, then Roger's Ridge before it got too soft. Gary and I had set up a rendez-vous point at 10, however he arrived just after I left. Hit Hangman's around 10:30, definately deserted that early. Next was Climax/Christmas Bowl/Waterfall/Coyote zig zagging across the fall line to avoid the Moon Craters at the bottom of Dry Creek. Waterfall was steep, but I definately prefered the conditions on Roger's. Back to the top and revisited Dave's Run and Solitude. I picked up some speed at the bottom of the sleeper Solitude pitch to cut across a badly sun cup snow to make it above chair #10 (Goldrush Express). I was looking how far I could go and still make it easily back to the bottom of Stump Alley. By looking at the map and the hill, I didn't see that many trail signs, so I opted out at cutting to Avalanche chutes and skiied Spook/Wall Street instead. Although ungroomed, Spook was sweet as butter. It was so sweet, that I did it again the next run. The lower part on Wall Street was good, but a bit rough, I took the groomed Old Comeback Trail the next time. The snow at the bottom was extremely wet and sticky. It was already time for the last three runs: Hangman's/St.Anton, Gravy Chute and Climax/Christmas Bowl then stuck on the cat track around the reservoir near McCoy Station. After pushing around for a few minutes, finished the run with Patrolmen's toward the car in parking lot #2. Once in the lot, I finally saw Gary and his friend show up.
I didn't get much vertical on that day, but definately tour alot. Vertical skied 17,500' on 16 runs. Bye Bye Motel 6 and welcome back Davison Guest house.
Monday JUNE 13th:
This is my last day skiing day of my trip, in the afternoon I'm heading to Yosemite Valley for 2 days. Unfortunately, I will have to stop early. The lift opening were the same as the previous two weekday, the gondola and Chair #2 were closed. The top could be reach with the reopening of Chair #23. Each day in Mammoth was warmer than the next, it was already 51F at 7:40am. The last 4 day were virtually cloudless and bright. After skiing Broadway and Mambo on the first 3 runs, which were still hard and frozen, I moved to Stump Alley were the orientation is different and cut back with St. Moritz. The snow had already soften up, did the same thing 5 times in a row. I virtually had the run to myself and didn't have to contend with racers free skiing and beginners on Broadway. Afterward, I headed up to the top to discover that there was an easier way down. So I did my last bit of exploration on Road Runner. The upper part was large as a cattrack, it was in great shape and hard. Enjoyed myself skiing on hard snow and looking at a different vista.with included the Outpost area. Once the trail came back on the frontside toward the bottom, the slope is relatively flat, sticky and you need to push your way down, even if it was only 9:30am. Regardless, the Upper part warranted a another run. Did two runs off Face Lift to see if I would see Gary at 10am then without wasting another minutes headed for one of my favorites run of my stay: Wipe Out. I didn't want to ski the softer Drop Out, I descented Wipe Out 4 times next to the rocks on the skier's right On that last run, I heard Gary leaning over in the "security barless" chair #23 and calling me. Headed for Paranoid with Gary and his friend for what I though was going to be my last run of the year, however once at the bottom proceeded in finishing 3 runs later with "Gateless" Fascination!!! Those two words sum up the skiing at Mammoth in June 2005.
It was 12:25 and I getting my gear back to my car, regardless of this shorter day I managed 24,500 vertical feet in 24 runs. "Gateless Fascination" indeed.
Thursday JUNE 9th
Woke at 5:30am, wide awake!!! Staying in bed and dreaming what a beautiful day this is going to be. After some talk, a quick breakfast and getting my gear ready to check out (the Davison Street was all booked for the following 3 days), I headed to the mountain. It's a beautiful drive between the town and the Main Lodge. Road with a few switchbacks with tall pin trees and huge snowbanks, sometimes you get a glimpse of this huge mountain. The mountain had 3 lifts running (1,3,23) from 7 to 2.
I was in front of the parking lot, I guess only the diehards get here so early in June. I started up the Broadway Express (lift 1) at 8:30am. I found out throughout the week that most people start skiing at 10 when the snow is soft. If I recall correctly, it was 39F and windy at the base. I dressed conservatively; ski jacket, tuque, goggle and regular glove.
"Take it easy" and drink plenty of water was the game plan, I will be here for 5 days plus I wanted to slowly adapt himself to this altitude (8,900 to 11,000) Started off with Broadway, I have rarely been so excited skiing a blue run, I guess this happens when you're skiing in June in a new HUGE place far from home. It was sweet, nice and hard, perfect to carve some GS turns, some Westerners might can this ICY, I call it nice. The Forest trail was next, narrower groomer with rollers. The vertical of these runs are 1000' which make them higher that most ski areas in the Laurentians and Ontario.
Moved up to the Face Lift (#3) for a couple runs mainly down the groomed Center Bowl then all the way down via Mambo. That run was the vertical of Monts Sutton, Orford and Owl's Head (1600'), and I wasn't skiing off the top yet. A limited Mammoth Mountain definately has more to often that most ski areas in Eastern Canada. Skiing off the groomed stuff was somewhat challenging, it's was either frozen solid or sun cuped. I got at the top of Face Lift, but skiied toward the Saddle Bowl while admiring the steeps off the summit like Climax and Hangman's Hollow. After a couple runs on the bottom part of the mountain via the steeper groomed run like Terry's run, I headed to the top of Chair 23. The black diamonds groomers next to chair 1 (Ralphies, Fascination, Far West) were used by the US National Development Team, I made sure to carve them up once the kids were gone in the afternoon. The lift vertical for chair 23 is 1100' and access a huge wide open area of steeps lines. Did I mentioned this lift has no safety bar, something would definately not see in Quebec.
Cornice Bowl was the first run off the top, the only groomed run on the front side. There was an easier way down via Road Runner which make a beautiful tour across the ridge and back which I only discoved on my last day.
Headed for the steeps after that, first one off the list was the Wipe Out chutes. Ski all the way to the car via St. Anton, almost 2000 feet. Once that run was over I was hot and change my clothes of my jacket for a shelveless vest, small gloves and hat. I also had snack. After one run on the race abandon Fascination trail, it was back to chair #23. Explored Paranoid Flats I headed toward the bottom of Philippe's. PF is steeper than it's looks. The slope in and under Philippe's was litered with rocks. I got out of this area via White Bark Bowl and cutting across to Bristlecome. Once the slope got flater, the greater was the size of the Sun Cup. Bristlecome (blue run) was covered in huge holes each varying between 2-3 feet deep. It was the closest thing to skiing on the Moon that I ever did, I was so happy to hit the GROOMED Sesame Street. Dark clouds and rain were moving in, there were also a possibility of thunderstorm. I felt a few rain drops sometimes during my last 3 runs of the day on Scotty's, Drop Out-St.Anton and Far West. I called it quits are 1:45 after19 runs and 19,100'. Not much compared to Tony, but I satisfied. Not bad for a first day, now on to Motel 6.
Friday JUNE 10th
Got started 30 minutes earlier on Friday. It was slightly warmer and not a cloud in the sky. From today forward, I would start ski with my sun glasses instead of goggle, small hat and gloves to start off the day. The jacket would be traded in at 10am. On this day, I skied more non-groomers. Started off Broadway again then heading to Face Lift. Groomed Center Bowl, followed by Christmas Bowl/Mambo and the heavily suncuped backside via China Bowl. After other Face to Bottom run (Saddle/Mambo), I headed for 23. The top was still firm, but I had a great time again downWipe Out next to the rocks a few times. Different lines in Paranoid, the exposure definately make it softer and downright slush fest at the end of the day. Also did a chute in Drop Out, which I hit a hidden rock (more like a boulder). Wipe Out was my favorite, the exposure versus Drop Out, allowed it to remain firm longer. It's was also less skied and not as bumped.
I did the bumplines off West Bowl (#3) once, but I definately prefer the sleep line under chair #1 called Gravy Chute. Today I might have done 20 runs for 18,900', but I skied much less groomed runs. I was feeling less the effect of altitude today.
Saturday JUNE 11th:
This is the reason why I came here, skiing on my birthday. It's Saturday and I started probably earlier than I ever did: 7:30am on the slopes. I was going to get to explore a whole different mountain today, the gondola and Stump Alex Express (#2) was open while chair #23 was closed. Started skiing mainly off chair #2 and the lower groomers for the first 7 runs (Stump Alley, Patrolmen's, Mambo, Forest and Broadway). Set off to explore after the moon surface Rooster Tail/Dry Creek. Lucky that Solitude and Easy Rider were groomed to get back to the bottom of lift #2. This part of the mountain was deserted, maybe it was due to the fact there were signs indicating that this area wasn't patrolled. The next run was from the top to bottom: Climax/Christmas Bowl to the nicely groomed Coyote/Easy Rider, almost 2300' vertical. I had notice the Coyote from my previous run, another that I noticed was Roger's Ridge near the bottom, which I did the next two runs. Except for the leadup in cratered snow, the pitch was nice and soft and it was barely 10am. I had already 15 runs at 10:30am when I teamed up on the way to the Upper Gondola with two great skiers from the Bay area in which we skied the same lines on Wipe Out the previous day. Headed up to top of Climax, then Gary, Tony's friend showed up (he recognized my description I left on his voicemail that morning). Down a nice and soft Climax we went. In the next run, I followed Gary in the exploration of Dave's Run to Solitude. What a nice long tour. There was a huge Cornice off Dave then Solitude's snow conditions were perfect. There were a few small wet slides on Climax and a few small crevasses that were opening up on the sleep face. Same thing was observe on Dave's Run the next day.
After this tour via Solitude, the pace was going to pick up. Back to the top with the first of 3 runs in a row in Hangman's Hollow. The hour glass was definately tigher. First tour down on the left side above the rocks then all the way down via St. Anton. Back up to the top with the gondola to start that again. Ran into the Bay area skiers!!! Hangman's straight down the middle, definately the steepest option. This run was awesome, made my year's hightlight reel, let's do it again!!! My brain was in it for the third run, but my legs were no longer responding to the "turn" command. This run was a bit dangerous. Took it easy for the last run and went back to Climax-Fascination. It was 1:50pm, I was spent. I was having so much fun, that I didn't stop to get rid of my jacket and eat. Almost 6.5 hours of skiing, non-stop, 23 runs and 24,800 vetical feet. I definately had my second wind, no effect from the altitude today. We all had a well-deserved beer at the Yodler at the end of the day.
Sunday JUNE 12th:
Blame it on Glen Plake!!! I only started skiing at 9am. Yes, I was watching Glen Plake's RSN TV show: Reel Thrills, the show runs from 10 to11PM.
Today was the warmest day yet, started my day with my vest. It was 51F at 9am. Parked in Parking lot #2 today, definately more accessible Groomers were not on the menu today, after the traditional first run down Broadway, I headed for Sanctuary in Chair #5.territory, then Roger's Ridge before it got too soft. Gary and I had set up a rendez-vous point at 10, however he arrived just after I left. Hit Hangman's around 10:30, definately deserted that early. Next was Climax/Christmas Bowl/Waterfall/Coyote zig zagging across the fall line to avoid the Moon Craters at the bottom of Dry Creek. Waterfall was steep, but I definately prefered the conditions on Roger's. Back to the top and revisited Dave's Run and Solitude. I picked up some speed at the bottom of the sleeper Solitude pitch to cut across a badly sun cup snow to make it above chair #10 (Goldrush Express). I was looking how far I could go and still make it easily back to the bottom of Stump Alley. By looking at the map and the hill, I didn't see that many trail signs, so I opted out at cutting to Avalanche chutes and skiied Spook/Wall Street instead. Although ungroomed, Spook was sweet as butter. It was so sweet, that I did it again the next run. The lower part on Wall Street was good, but a bit rough, I took the groomed Old Comeback Trail the next time. The snow at the bottom was extremely wet and sticky. It was already time for the last three runs: Hangman's/St.Anton, Gravy Chute and Climax/Christmas Bowl then stuck on the cat track around the reservoir near McCoy Station. After pushing around for a few minutes, finished the run with Patrolmen's toward the car in parking lot #2. Once in the lot, I finally saw Gary and his friend show up.
I didn't get much vertical on that day, but definately tour alot. Vertical skied 17,500' on 16 runs. Bye Bye Motel 6 and welcome back Davison Guest house.
Monday JUNE 13th:
This is my last day skiing day of my trip, in the afternoon I'm heading to Yosemite Valley for 2 days. Unfortunately, I will have to stop early. The lift opening were the same as the previous two weekday, the gondola and Chair #2 were closed. The top could be reach with the reopening of Chair #23. Each day in Mammoth was warmer than the next, it was already 51F at 7:40am. The last 4 day were virtually cloudless and bright. After skiing Broadway and Mambo on the first 3 runs, which were still hard and frozen, I moved to Stump Alley were the orientation is different and cut back with St. Moritz. The snow had already soften up, did the same thing 5 times in a row. I virtually had the run to myself and didn't have to contend with racers free skiing and beginners on Broadway. Afterward, I headed up to the top to discover that there was an easier way down. So I did my last bit of exploration on Road Runner. The upper part was large as a cattrack, it was in great shape and hard. Enjoyed myself skiing on hard snow and looking at a different vista.with included the Outpost area. Once the trail came back on the frontside toward the bottom, the slope is relatively flat, sticky and you need to push your way down, even if it was only 9:30am. Regardless, the Upper part warranted a another run. Did two runs off Face Lift to see if I would see Gary at 10am then without wasting another minutes headed for one of my favorites run of my stay: Wipe Out. I didn't want to ski the softer Drop Out, I descented Wipe Out 4 times next to the rocks on the skier's right On that last run, I heard Gary leaning over in the "security barless" chair #23 and calling me. Headed for Paranoid with Gary and his friend for what I though was going to be my last run of the year, however once at the bottom proceeded in finishing 3 runs later with "Gateless" Fascination!!! Those two words sum up the skiing at Mammoth in June 2005.
It was 12:25 and I getting my gear back to my car, regardless of this shorter day I managed 24,500 vertical feet in 24 runs. "Gateless Fascination" indeed.
