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Well, I hope it's back on because I'm gonna start posting all my trips from 2013 here rather than multiple TRs. I hope there are some other Alaskan splitters out there to join me and post up some photos here as well.
My last report/adventure was in late September/early October. Then, then it got clear and cold and the 3 to 10" of snow faceted and started growing into enormous hoar crystals. In mid to late November we got a little more snow and a lot of wind creating a foot deep wind slab over about a foot of hoar frost. Then more cold temps and clear skies followed by wind, very high winds, and finally snow, lots of snow. Some would say too much snow...



Then more winds came in and the resorts chair lift situation got even worse, way worse...



The tram rammed into the tram tower and lodged itself there. Happy New Year!!!



Then along with the wind came more rain and turned our precious snow to ice, lots and lots of ice. A virtual ice rink you might say...



Then February came. The resort started opening "outer" areas, meaning areas other than groomed runs. The tram was released from the tram tower and a counter weight put in its place. On Valentines Day the tram was opened back up to the public and snow has started falling again.

Snow has been falling and falling finally, covering up the horrible instabilities that lurk below. So for now, winter fun is on!
Here's a look at some of the mountains around Turnagain Pass on Presidents day...







and the blower that they hold!!!












Aaaahhhh Presidents day. Better late than never. Thank you Ullr!!!

Awesome man. Was just up at Alyeska on Saturday, nice to see some sun. You should try and make it down to Juneau one of these days!

Love to! Mendenhall Towers have been calling my name for many many years now.

Man, it looks like you guys have had an even tougher time of it than we have! I couldn't believe how little snow there was down low a couple weeks ago when I took the ferry over there. All the way from Whittier to Anchorage there was just grass on the side of the road. Good to see your snow's getting better too. That early season drought was brutal.

Around here there's still a deep-slab instability problem, but it's mostly further into the Interior now. Seems like most of it closer to the coast has already come down if it's going to, or has been rounded by the warming events we've had. In the last few weeks or so it's mostly been wind slab and storm slab that we've been concerned about, which is more typical over here. Depth is highly variable, but coverage is decent. Now if only we could get some decent light. It's been overcast/foggy nearly every day this year, aside from the handful of clear but seriously windy days. I guess I need to learn to deal with flat light, but it still spooks me, especially when I'm out solo.

Great write up!

Sorry about the crap after your great season opener.

Jealous too. That icy road looks as hot as any steep pow to me!

Got some sunshine and stability!!! Yeah March!

So this is a picture I took of a line in October of 2011


I've been thinking of and trying to ride this line since then. Well the stars have aligned and AK's back on!

Away we go...








looking down the other/South side


A quick look around from the top... (I love mountains!)








A look down our line


...and dropping!




Aaaahh March, how I've missed you

Day 2 of bluebird skies! Doesn't happen here too often.

Off to the local playground


and over and around a couple of small obstacles


where I made a new friend


checked out some new scenery


and reaped some pow

Nice looking lines dusty! You use your new friend as a hand warmer? He's cute

Good. God.

And the high pressure continues... So Snowsavage and I went for a little stroll


to a small warm up run


on our way to larger objectives


where we reaped a little pow


and laid down a little artwork


it was too good to stop now, so back for more


and life is good...


I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

This is a paradise that yesterday quoted the new Pope

FKN WOW

and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow...

It brought more sun with a new crew and yet another objective


getting closer... this should be good


starting to get steeper too


and gnarlier


WooHoo! Beer break on top


and now the question is...

Does it go?


3462' of fall line baby!


dropping!




...and it went!


One more day off and sun predicted, will my legs hold?...