The Quest

[Admin]

if gunsight doesn't hold out, this may do the trick. I'm not sure where this is at Alta, i just lifted the albion webcam image.

http://www.alta.com/Images/albcam.jpg

also from the top of collins
http://www.alta.com/Images/Collins_top.jpg

Both of those pics are of the patch I was talking about on Devil's Castle with the nasty double fall line.

 

[gwest]

Yeah, avoid devils castle, yuck. Snowbird under twin peaks is super easy access, if you take the tram. Gunsight at alta (thanks for letting me know) is probably easiest good hiking accessed patch. Other places in LCC have numerous patches, but require more hiking. Broads fork still has snow, although it's a decent hike in there. The motherload is of course Timp, but as you said, thats quite a hike. I still gotta get in my august turns, so i'll probably hit gunsight or broads fork this weekend.

Last year i did ski on new snow in sept on about 4-5" at alta. The year before I think we got 3-4" on sept 10th. The cold storms are creeping down already, snow Glacier Natl Park yesterday. I'd say new snow in sept is a decent bet, but you gotta use rock skis, and find some grass. Timp didnt melt out last year, and certainly wont come close this year.

 

[awf170]

http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=28886

 

[Admin]

http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=28886

Thanks for the link! This photo says it all -- the far patch (the bigger one) in pipeline is about the same length or maybe slightly longer, but definitely less steep, than what I saw left in Gunsight last weekend. Pipeline Bowl is actually surprisingly shallow. I'm going to drive up Thursday evening or so after work to scout Gunsight again, but barring a serious melt-out I prefer that to what I see at Snowbird in these pictures.

And this quote:

I then began the vigorous -500 vertical approach down the Road to Provo over towards Malu Malu and Pipeline Bowl.

alludes to the scree scramble that I mentioned before. Gunsight's approach should be easier.

Gwest, did you get up there this weekend as planned?

 

[Tony Crocker]

Given the snow quality (which I experienced at Mammoth August 7) I don't think the lower angle of Pipeline Bowl is such a bad thing. Volume of snow is clearly more than Gunsight, and it looks like there's still some snow in the Pipeline Chute feeding the Bowl.

 

[Admin]

and it looks like there's still some snow in the Pipeline Chute feeding the Bowl.

Not really. Pipeline is that chute on the right side, directly facing the photographer, with only 4 tiny spots of snow in it.

 

[Admin]

OK, OK...I'm coming around to the idea of Pipeline Bowl. Marc_C rode the tram at Snowbird today and took this photo of Pipeline Bowl. He says it was pretty tracked up, too, which bodes well for smoothing out the suncups from hell. Now, if only I can arrange a ride with the contraption in this photo... :lol:

It looks like September is nailed! \/ Next Saturday, if the weather is right.

 

[Jonny D]

Yup, pipeline bowl definatley seems MUCH better than devi's castle.

Hope the weather cooperates for you on the weekend, should be good!

(now all you have to do is find an ulta-light to get you there.... )

 

[thesnowman]

Here is a look at Mammoth Mt..

You can still get 10 turns in!

More picture's are here: http://community.webshots.com/album/438305107dYAtxW