Day 68: To quote Monty Python from the Holy Grail, "But I'm not dead yet!"
I thought my season was done, but then Snowbird decided to open this weekend after all and the forecast was glorious. I shelved plans to kayak camp Flaming Gorge this weekend in favor of Snowbird.
I took my time getting up there today, arriving at 9:15. Little did I realize, nor did I expect that things would set up so firmly overnight so in the end my late arrival was the right decision. Of course, despite my leisurely start I still forgot my camera today and had to use the cell phone. #-o I bumped into Kelly and Karan on the tram dock, and then in strolled Bobby Danger who was getting a late start as well. Tele Jon was already riding Little Cloud.
Bobby and I arrived at the top of Little Cloud at the same time as Jon. Kelly and Karan headed off to Mark Malou, and the rest of us to Regulator Johnson, which was edgeable, yet firm and fast.
We regrouped, and despite Snowbird's announcement earlier this week that they'd allow only one trip up the Tram, they were permitting Tram laps, so we headed for Diagonal Chute in the upper Cirque.
Absolutely glorious! I'd expected glue once I got out onto the Cirque apron, but surprisingly it remained fast and fairly smooth, perfect for high-speed GS arcs.
Below there things got iffy. Anderson's Hill was quite pleasant, but getting out across the flats to Phone 3 was sticky. Phone 3 itself was fine, and the manmade ribbon on lower Chip's Face was corned up nicely. All in all, despite appearances we were able to get back to the base with only one 30-foot dismount and a walk of about 300 yards at the bottom.
Kelly and Karan had spotted a van at Alta, so back up the Tram and up Mount Baldy we went. Most of the hike by now is on the summer trail, and before long we were standing atop Baldy drinking in the views of the Wasatch.
Right as we arrived from Snowbird, a backcountry skier named Rob came skinning up the other side. He joined us relaxing at the summit for a bit, and followed us into Main Chute.
Main Chute was absolutely divine. Smooth, wall-to-wall coverage with no suncups and minimal rocks that had fallen in from the walls.
Unlike Snowbird, Alta is still well-covered top to bottom. We rocked down Saddle and through Pinball Gulley, ending on Corkscrew.
For those who doubt that Alta gets more snow, here's the lower mountain at Alta:
and at Snowbird:
The others took a final Baldy lap while I browsed around Snowbird's Brewfest for a bit.
It was just beginning to ramp up as I left.
A beautiful Saturday on the first weekend of meteorological summer.
I thought my season was done, but then Snowbird decided to open this weekend after all and the forecast was glorious. I shelved plans to kayak camp Flaming Gorge this weekend in favor of Snowbird.
I took my time getting up there today, arriving at 9:15. Little did I realize, nor did I expect that things would set up so firmly overnight so in the end my late arrival was the right decision. Of course, despite my leisurely start I still forgot my camera today and had to use the cell phone. #-o I bumped into Kelly and Karan on the tram dock, and then in strolled Bobby Danger who was getting a late start as well. Tele Jon was already riding Little Cloud.
Bobby and I arrived at the top of Little Cloud at the same time as Jon. Kelly and Karan headed off to Mark Malou, and the rest of us to Regulator Johnson, which was edgeable, yet firm and fast.
We regrouped, and despite Snowbird's announcement earlier this week that they'd allow only one trip up the Tram, they were permitting Tram laps, so we headed for Diagonal Chute in the upper Cirque.
Absolutely glorious! I'd expected glue once I got out onto the Cirque apron, but surprisingly it remained fast and fairly smooth, perfect for high-speed GS arcs.
Below there things got iffy. Anderson's Hill was quite pleasant, but getting out across the flats to Phone 3 was sticky. Phone 3 itself was fine, and the manmade ribbon on lower Chip's Face was corned up nicely. All in all, despite appearances we were able to get back to the base with only one 30-foot dismount and a walk of about 300 yards at the bottom.
Kelly and Karan had spotted a van at Alta, so back up the Tram and up Mount Baldy we went. Most of the hike by now is on the summer trail, and before long we were standing atop Baldy drinking in the views of the Wasatch.
Right as we arrived from Snowbird, a backcountry skier named Rob came skinning up the other side. He joined us relaxing at the summit for a bit, and followed us into Main Chute.
Main Chute was absolutely divine. Smooth, wall-to-wall coverage with no suncups and minimal rocks that had fallen in from the walls.
Unlike Snowbird, Alta is still well-covered top to bottom. We rocked down Saddle and through Pinball Gulley, ending on Corkscrew.
For those who doubt that Alta gets more snow, here's the lower mountain at Alta:
and at Snowbird:
The others took a final Baldy lap while I browsed around Snowbird's Brewfest for a bit.
It was just beginning to ramp up as I left.
A beautiful Saturday on the first weekend of meteorological summer.
