Ski 17 - Saturday Jan 17 - THE Y COULOIR

Where: The Y Couloir

With Whom: Tom, James, Nazz, Eric, and Elizabeth

Time: 7ish to Noonish

Ski Conditions: It stopped snowing for a little while.  This means bad skiing in my regular areas... but it also means perfect timing for some chute skiing.  We skied the Y after a number of other groups have earlier this week, but it was still a blast.  The snow was hard packed - this made for easy booting, but less than perfect powder for the down.  The Y Couloir is a 3,400 vertical foot chute in Little Cottonwood Canyon.  There is no skinning involved in the approach.  You just hike straight up it.  I have been wanting to ski this line since I have been skiing in the backcountry... maybe earlier.  It finally happened.  I loved it.  Tom discovered he had left his pack at the top after nearly 1,000 vertical feet had passed.  James and I skied the rest together while the others waited for Tom (I had to get back to meet Stacy for a Sundance movie).  It was a good way to start off the day.

We begin the long walk up the couloir.

Red burn day in the valley.

Tom approaches the summit.

It's all downhill from here - just 3,400' to the road.

Tom:     James, you wanna wear matching jackets tomorrow in the Y?

James:    For sure, dude! LOL!

A view from the top.  James, me, Nazz, Tom, Elizabeth, and Eric.

Eric rips at the top of the chute.

Nazz follows.

Elizabeth shows that boarders can do it, too...

Perhaps even with a little more style.

James pushes through with only 2,000' left to go.

Ski 16 - Saturday Jan 10 - Steeps

Where: Cardiff Fork - LSB, Cardiac, etc.

With Whom: Nate, James, and Richard

Time: 8:30am to 3ish

Ski Conditions: The snow has finally stabilized enough to allow for some skiing of the steeps.  There was new snow to be had and we made our way back to Cardiff.  Didn't notice any major instabilities.  Only saw minor sluffing in the new snow.  We did see some isolated cracking on the south face as we approached LSB in one particular area.  We went around.  We mixed in some ski mountaineering, steep skiing, mellow skiing, route finding, etc. for a successful day in the backcountry.

One of the more interesting sections of the approach.

Nate tries to follow my bitchin' line.

On top of Cardiac Ridge, we had to do a little bootpack.

Ski 15 - Wednesday Jan 7 - Born in the USA

Where: USA Bowl

With Whom: Tom and Jason

Time: 4:40 and at work by 9

Ski Conditions: Kind of a letdown.  The big storm ended up funny leaving a weird snowpack.  The snow that fell yesterday was super light, but the snow that fell overnight was considerably more dense - thus leaving an upside-down snowpack.  Add the wind on the bowl to this and it didn't make for the best skiing.  It was still fun, though.  Don't get me wrong.  But we probably should have gone into the trees.

Ski 14 - Saturday Jan 3 - Introspection Without a Jacket

Where: USA Bowl

With Whom: Strangers

Time: I dunno... 10ish to 1ish

Ski Conditions: Great.  Fresh snow in an open area.  USA bowl is mellow terrain, but it was fun all the same.

I couldn't find a ski partner today.  What's up with that?  We have been skiing all week and now the snow falls and no one is available?  Whatever.  I decided to head up to USA Bowl where I knew a bunch of people would be so I would be safe.  I was right.  The only problem was that I had forgotten a jacket.  I decided it wasn't worth driving all the way back home for.  So I went without.  Strangers are great and all, but backcountry skiing is more fun with friends.

Some of those turns are mine.

Ski 13 - Friday Jan 2 - Fulfilling the Dogs' Resolutions

Where: Porter Fork

With Whom: Samwise, Bowie, and Jorge (the dogs)

Time: 9:30ish to 11:30ish

Ski Conditions: Hard. Fast. Warm.

I awoke this morning and decided to read through what my dogs had set as their New Year's Resolutions.  Bowie said he wanted to get fit.  Sam said he wanted to spend more time in the outdoors.  Jorge (Kristin's dog) said he wanted to lose ten pounds.  Being the thoughtful person I am, I allowed Stacy to stay home and take care of the housework while I helped each of the dogs take the first step toward achieving their goals... and we went skiing.

Ski 12 - Thursday Jan 1 - New Beginnings

Cole - acting as if he wasn't tired for the camera.

Where: Mill D - Short Swing

With Whom: Cole

Time: 9ish to 1ish

Ski Conditions: The snow continues to be warm - thereby skiing fast and heavy.  The skin track is not in good shape as it is super icey.  Since this was Cole's first day ever skinning, this gave him an extra obstacle to overcome.  We took it easy getting to the top, then ripped it coming down.  We (and by "we" I mean Cole) didn't have the energy for a second lap so we called it a little early.  It was fun to get out together and I hope I didn't scare him away from any future backcountry endeavors.

At the top of the run, he was looking strong.

Cole exerts all the energy he has left at the base of the run.

Ski 11 - Wednesday Dec 31 - The Eve of New Beginnings

Where: Butler Fork to Wilson Fork

With Whom: Jer, CJ, Code-man, Jed, Luke, and Don

Time: 8am to 2ish

Ski Conditions: It got super warm yesterday and today, as well.  The sun-exposed aspects acted like it.  We skied some protected tree shots.  They were pretty fun.  The snow skied heavy and fast due to the recent warming.  It was fun to ski some stuff I had not been to before.  I will probably be back here relatively soon.

Jer and Luke approach the heavens.

Luke contemplates eternity.

CJ amidst the aspens.