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I got out today for some dawn patrol. It was my first since we actually started getting snow so it was more of a chance to get acquainted with our snowpack first hand. I poked and dug around a bit and ...wow. Same old story all of you know. Weak snow. I didn't notice any collapses today but on my way out on a predominantly 30° slope I came upon a pocket that had popped out maybe a few days ago. About 25' wide by 30' and about 2.5' deep on WNW. It was a good reminder to me to keep an eye on slope angle. I measured it at the slide and found it to be about 32°. With such an unstable snowpack today was definitely more about the education than the riding. Glad to see some of you made some great lines ^^.

Good to see folks making lemonade out of our lemons (snowpack)... Props for resisting the urge to go straight to the tequilla shooters...

Hey Pedro,

I would love to hook up for a beer, wine, some sort of hard alchohol if your serious. You name it, I'll bring plenty of it. Spot looks sick and Cottonwood heights, I believe is right in between big and little so that should be perfect. I'm at the mouth of Little.

Not last season but the year before I remotely triggered this slide by simply jumping on the ridge.

The next week I walked the ridge checking out other slides from the same cycle.

The next week all high pressure since the initial slide and guys had been hitting bigger lines with no result. My buddy wanted to go out to a commiting area I was not too familiar with and I stood my ground opting for lower angle trees. When I got home that day I heard of three accidents that had taken place all three BC riders/skiers I respect very much. My point being when you think it's good to go, it doesn't hurt waiting one more week. It's kinda like the 12 more turns philosophy.


I've been lapping safe zones and dicking around with my go pro. Tons of fun.

Take care everyone

I remember that. Wasn't that the day I met you? When I picked you up on the side of the road.

Good stuff man. I love reading this thread even though I'm not a local.

^^^^Thanks Nick ditto on the Montana thread. All my family is from Bozeman, Little Amsterdam is where I plan to be buried (knock on wood).

Yeah Whitepine I remember that day well. I had my thumb up for over an hr, even got passed up by a guy with a huge "LOVE" painted on the side of his van. Which by the way if anyone sees that guy give him a big kick in the balls for me, he's got Karma coming to him.

I got out before work and kicked around in the crust on S/SE 8000'-9000'... There were scattered lingering snow squalls early, yielding little active snowfall... New snow ranged from 1-3" of dust on variable crusts. Crusts ranged from a couple of inches, to those that go all the way to bare ground below 8000' (hollow and punchy around vegetation)...

Riding was good up high in the aspens, but required full attention to the varying snow surface... Best not to relax to much and risk getting bucked, grabbed or washing out... Same aspects and elevation would probably ride nicely between 11am and 1pm before getting manky...

Have fun out there while its still good, the next couple weeks are looking really dry...

Skin


Zone


Angle went from this to as low as 20 degrees

so its going to be like that huh? ICT19 Q2...about 2-3 foot consolidated snow sitting on a foot of facets

matt(mej) gettin a pow slasher

your truly ..pow pow

hmmmm.. I guess there is still some good untracked snow left(suprising)

yeeeeep


slopes ridden were 28-30 extra caution was exercised to avoid steep rollovers in this area

Mill D North-Upper Millcreek. No signs of instability, but all you need to do is probe down to the ground to be reminded that we are all walking on thin ice. Angles up to 30+, saw ski tracks in some of the old slide paths i.e. reynolds. Steeper runs glisten with untouched snow, better not to give in and stick to the low angle.

Decisions


Frosty Morning


Bucky being out of focus


Low angle in the afternoon light


At least the snow spray is in focus

today...found some good snow

















nice to get off the beaten path...dont let the pics fool you, were still on our guard and skiing 28-30 degree slopes with maybe a couple short rollovers approaching 32ish....facets are still lurking

Skinned up bear trap today and it seemed anything with a bit of South in the aspect had a nice crust. The turns in the aspens were fun, but had to end the tour early. Buddy I went with had his bindings break on him and he didn't bring spare parts. There was only minimal collapsing that occurred while skinning. Took it easy though on lower slope angles and played in the aspens.

I meant to post this up last week. Thought it was a cool picture of Alta Ski Patrol almost getting tagged during their morning runs. *Last Saturday though. I think pockets like this are still out there.

Found good snow E/NE facing (today) in the heart of the Wasatch. Lapped it up with a couple old bros. Used a safe ridgelette feature next to an old crown to get into a little 400ft little rock garden shot that held good snow and lots of poppers.



Use # 345 of Bucky's how to use a Voile Strap in the BC book. Right after tornequette.

Take care

Thinking of going out tonight to enjoy the full moon. Anyone want to maybe go to powder park 3 or somewhere else? Thought it would be super fun to get out on a full moon.