Trip Reports Backcountry photos, videos, patch skiing and other stoke!

[SBrown]

great bump

 

[Snowflake2420]

Got out to Indy Pass this past weekend. Definitely a low snow year compounded by warming earlier than usual. It was a new (and I try to tell myself) enriching experience in my back country ski career. East facing slopes were very suncupped and we choose somewhat poorly, but a day on skis none the less. The following day we opted for a hike in a drainage near La Plata that featured what appeared to be old avy debris? and lots of snowmelt running off.

Indy Pass Geisslers Area

Sayre Gulch Day Hike

 

[Slim]

From last season (early April, 2018).

Family skinning lap above Brighton, UT.

Nothing beats a snackbreak in the sun.

made it to the saddle, ready to ski down:

7 year old making her first turns out of bounds:

 

[4ster]

After close to two months of mid winter conditions and lots of powder, spring decided to make an appearance for a few days.

Saturday we found some of the last remaining powder on a north facing aspect...

Chris Morgan gets photo credit for the above shots but I managed to sneak one of him at the bottom of the run

Sunday was day 100 for me & the beginning of the corn hunting

Yesterday & today found my friend Alec & I out in a favorite big zone skiing the transtioned E & SE aspects. Big vertical with lots of fun pitches & near perfect conditions. Timing is everything...

Alec booting up

Some Skiing


Toward the end

Bush Slalom to the finish line

Looks like winter begins returning tonight. So grateful to get the opportunity to get into some favorites

 

[4ster]

This morning started out partly cloudy, then mostly cloudy by 8am

By the time I reached the top at 10am it was socked in with fog. I had faith though & after 1/2 an hour wait it began to break.

After a quick lap down the main line

the weather seemed to hold, so up a different aspect for some spectacular views.

& down to the exit in some great corn.

 

[4ster]

Back for more on Earth Day...

 

[4ster]

Stellar day...

My exit strategy was full of holes

 

[4ster]

Can’t resist a bluebird day…

Sun up

Run1

Not a sound

Top of 2

Looking back. Long slog out from here

 

[pais alto]

Outside of Santa Fe, also posted in the AZ/NM thread.

I spring skiing.

 

[4ster]

Outside of Santa Fe, also posted in the AZ/NM thread.

View attachment 72948 View attachment 72947

I spring skiing.

Glad I'm not the only one

 

[Paul Lutes]

Spring skiing is the shizzle - beautiful shots guys!

 

[4ster]

Can’t win them all. A beautiful day but the snow did not meet expectations.
Different day, different runs, same zone ...

Snow pack is still looking fat but a bit pocked & runneled. It is getting more difficult to find smooth snow.

Had to negotiate a weak cornice on entry

Snow was kind of mushy but no slush slides, pushalanches or pinwheels.

Interesting bit of history on the way out

 

[4ster]

Today was an unexpected winner...

Sunrise on Mt. Tallac. I’d better get going

Getting up there

& up

Desolation Wilderness.

Gilmore Lake & Pyramid Peak

3400’ vertical! I’m getting too old for this

Peeling cornices

Steeps

Maddie’s Bowl.
Almost got cliffed out after this pitch. Someone earlier hiked back up which I almost did too. Decided to hike out on the rocks to see if I could scope a way through.

& I did!

My route

Home free

2nd to last pitch

Parting shot

 

[BS Slarver]

Sunrise shot is GORGEOUS !

 

[4ster]

Sunrise shot is GORGEOUS !

Thanks! The photo does not do it justice.

 

[Rod9301]

Thanks! The photo does not do it justice.

Very nice.

Did Halls of God today, great conditions.

 

[4ster]

Very nice.

Did Halls of God today, great conditions.

Post some pics?

 

[Rod9301]

Post some pics?

 

[4ster]

@Rod9301
I think I saw you from the other side

 

[Rod9301]

I can't say the same, i was focused on my descent, pretty steep and narrow, didn't want to make a mistake.