Wow!!! That was incredible!   Going from, perhaps, the most challenging conditions the Bird has to offer, the conditions morphed into the best conditions the Bird has to offer overnight.   The storm came in warm, which kept the snow pack from freezing, depositing high density product followed by lighter and lighter Essence.   As the accumulation built up into the ” Right Side Up” layering, it offered the absolute best powder experience possible, with bottomless, blower, effortless, fall line magic.   It was so deep it required a steep pitch to engage the free fall powder experience, which felt like heaven.   Gone was the icy gnar that was totally cushioned by the deep blanket.  The interference patterns became mere rolling waves that just added to the dynamic of the descent.  I could not get over the transformation.   I was also very happy for the many folks who traveled here from the East, and all world localities, to experience the Promise of the Wasatch, letting them experience the thrill of such dazzling fluffulessence.  Now,

GRANITE BUTTRESS

some may think I am exaggerating the quality, but the faithful who partook of the goodness will agree I am certain.  It is dumping here at the Trailer as I write this, and the TEXT MESSAGE said the Canyon may be closed in the AM., so check the access before leaving.   Tomorrow, expect another awesome offering of the righteous Utah goodness with no caveats to relate.  Just go, and GO FOR IT!!!  It’s Good To Go!!  Here is a shot from the lower canyon of the towering granite buttresses that stand guard at the entrance.  I was waiting for the road opening and could not resist this misty, snowy perspective.   IBBY!!

The Trailer was rocking all night long with the stout wind that was ripping out ahead of the next installment.  The clouds were on and off over the hill all day long, with the precipitation lowering early in the afternoon.   The forecast is still holding up for a winter blast that looks like it might persist through Monday, so the hill will be on the mend.  The high definition interference patterns are fairly wide spread, which will make the high traffic area lines bouncy, as the new snow may not have enough cushion to mitigate the rumble.  Remember, the Cirque Traverse was once again set up for some serious glaze as the temps return to normal, so expect some challenges if the wind blows the new essence from the traverse.  It was very difficult the other day when I went out there with full firmness, or should I say High Shine with ledge like ratchet bumps.   Those particular shapes are notoriously biased against a speed bleeding edge check, so approach with caution. Coverage on the hill is still good, but those sketchy entrances are still going to present some issues, though a good dose of the freshness will go a long way to making them less gnarly.  Depending on the severity of the snow fall, the Canyon may present some access issues in the AM. so check before leaving.  I will get a better feel for the changes when I get that first hand look.  Hope for some Spackle like consistency to start things out with lighter accumulation as the storm moves through, other wise

INNER REALM

it could be classic dust on crust, but I think the moisture content will be higher to start.   Here is another shot from the deep snow zone dimension, where crystalline structure morphs to more fluid shapes.  Like magic!!!   Ciao!

We squeezed out most of the day under sunny skies before the clouds moved in ahead of the next system for this weekend.  The  Morning still felt a touch brisk with the stout wind blowing, but the high angle Sun was working the hill slowly and in order.  The Grooming crew did a great job tenderizing the hill, with the Peruvian side offering some deep sugar top to bottom, which felt really good under foot.   The Gad side of the hill, however, was another story, with the tenderization material blown off the slopes leaving them bullet proof and highly glazed.  They waited until after 1:00 PM to begin to softening

SNOW ELEMENTAL

up, after which they were great until the dreaded sticky spots cropped up like those we get in late May.  Doh!!!  The Free ride comp was going off, with some unbelievable runs that really struck me senseless knowing the present difficulty factor that exists on those exposures.  Really a revelation and an inspiration to watch.  The lights went out after 3:00PM, leaving the last minutes of the day in flat light, but we all got the lion’s share. The High North is still holding the cold dry chalky feel, but lower down the softening has crept up.  Tomorrow, look for some very firm conditions, with little Sun to soften the hill, high winds out ahead of the front, and perhaps some wind issues for the Tram.   The tenderization efforts are best for the first hour of the day before they get worked over, so plan on an early start, or wait for some later dubious softening.    I will be resting my legs tomorrow, so stay safe and check out the competition.   Here is a shot of the white room where the Snow Elemental – on the left- looks out through the crystals while speaking to me telepathically.  He said big snow is on the way, look out!!!   Peace Out!!

Just a dusting!!

Yesterday’s snow flurries left a beautiful dusting on the High North aspects, particularly the North facing in Mineral Basin, where the 1” of fluffulecence went begging all morning, so I was obliged to partake of the rarity.   The front side of the hill was still dark and crispy, though the tenderization efforts did not go unappreciated.   The only softness I found all day was the dusting of Essence.  Here is a shot of the turns I left on that sparkling gem.  The bottom was that dry chalky wind slab, with the frosting on top.   Might as well have been 40” of Zero % for the luxury of the vacant lines.  The Cirque Traverse is very icy and not really worth the effort, but if you do go out there are some smooth lines to be found on the East facing, so scope the lines as you go up.   The Freeride Competition is being held this weekend, so Silver Fox will be closed tomorrow to facilitate that event.   Watch the folks give it all they have on some very challenging conditions. I had to give it to them today for stomping those seriously crispy lines, with air included.  Formidable!!!!  Tomorrow, look for a mix of Sun and clouds as the next system moves into the area for the next while.  Very firm conditions will persist, so stay with what you know, or look for  the smooth  to avoid the deep relief interference patterns.   Mineral Basin saw a lot of Sun today, so if is cold in the AM., there will be some issues back there till softening occurs.   Possible Sun will help, but I expect some very firm conditions back there.   Peace Out!!!

The winds were a bit more realistic this morning, with the Sun shining brightly in Mineral Basin.   The front of the hill is still dark with the late Sun, but was offering some seriously firm conditions after the overnight wind further scoured the playing field, leaving a hard crusty glaze.   Wide spread tenderizing efforts helped the grip, but there was no hope for Regulator which was totally bullet proof.   Smooth wind lines were to be had out in Mineral Basin where the wind had deposited the last vestiges of loose snow on some of the creases in the hill.  North facing is still favored, with the other exposures still very difficult and crusty.   The weather system started to move in during the afternoon, with some light flurries falling, but just teasing.   Tomorrow, look for a similar situation, so a later start is advised to let the Sun get higher in the sky.  After Noon the softening will begin, making the afternoon session much more approachable.  I am going to be there for the early Trams regardless.   Here is a shot of some very interesting clouds that were moving through the Valley this morning.     IBBY!!

LENTICULAR FORMATIONS

Scoured

The first Tram was a wild one this morning, with very high winds, scoured slopes, and some very firm conditions.    The wind was blowing so hard at your back that it literally launched you down the hill like having a rocket on your back.  Wow, what a ride!!!.  All the stripped snow did not seem to be collecting anywhere, but Anderson’s Hill had a beautiful coating of transported snow that made the entire day worth the time.  The Tram shut down after the first one, and I rode the Peruvian Chair trying to find a consistent line.  There were some nice deposits along the tree lines, but there was some serious glaze in spots as the high winds continued to strip the hill.   Tomorrow look for some more firm conditions to cover the entire hill.  The High North is still offering the dry chalky smoothness, so look for those few lines to mine.   Also, look for what the wind deposited today and during the night for some early rarities.   Here is a shot of upper Silver Fox showing the interference patterns, the thin lines of smooth, but also the thin sections of the upper part of the shot.  There are many faces on the hill right now, so keep an eye out for some of those interesting variations.  I will have more insight as I get a better sense of the hill after the wind work.   I will be there for the first Bucket, see you there.   TA!!

With the past few days having been so warm and approachable,  this morning’s stout South wind kept the temps. on the brisk side, which did nothing to soften Mineral Basin much until very late in the day.  I was running without a hat after Noon, but I was always on the verge of a brain freeze, but didn’t quite.  The heavily traveled off trail sections are holding some very well defined interference patterns, with deep troughs, but are still dry and chalky on the North faces.  The big open bowl sections are quite scoured and, while edge-able, are a bit rough and sometimes punchable. The big entrances are quite tricky now that all the available access lines have been worked to death, so access is a test of intestinal fortitude in many cases.  The high wind did not transport much to fill in the rough sections, but there were still Gems to be found here and there with a bit of looking.  Those Gems  paid some sweet dividends, if you approached the perfection each held withing the parameters of the right appreciation.  I was mining those few lines time after time leaving the goods again for tomorrow.  Speaking of tomorrow, look for the Grooming crew to have once again tenderized the big runs, but the early morning is very dark with the time change.  I still have to get used to the timing that the Sun provides, but I expect another slow softening day.   Take the long look for the little Gems that still are available, and mine the rarities that are out and about.   Don’t expect a heat wave, and under dress, as it is better to take it off than need it and not have it.   See you in the AM for a rock fest, no pun intended.  Here is a shot of the scouring of the off trail which can be found in most places, but there are still many lines of goodness.     IBBY!!

Relief patterns

The temp. was warm on the peak this morning, so I took a chance and dialed in Mineral Basin to take advantage of the Sun.  The time change made the front of the hill extra dark to start things out.  The first hour took advantage of the smooth and granular Grooming which really felt luxurious.  Things got progressively more skied off after the traffic got on it.  The Front side of the hill had been tenderized, with smooth steep offerings top to bottom.  The warm days make the direct exposures soft and spring like later in the day,

Pipeline

while the North faces are still holding the cold dry chalky winter feel.   You get a very high contrast, especially after the back gets soft.   Tomorrow, look for the a similar timing, which includes the entire day from bell to bell.  It only matters the order of your aspect selection, so follow the Sun.   It will be a quiet morning as the the traffic will have fallen off with the firm conditions, but there are still plenty of really good lines to choose from.   I was able to go with out a hat all day long, but check the AM temp. for verification.   Better that then brain freeze.   See you in the AM  for fun.   Peace Out!!

Pagan Bowl

It seems like spring here in the Valley, as I worked in just a T shirt and shorts while I washed the winter dirt off the trailer.   There was a hard freeze overnight, which left Mineral Basin quite frozen for the morning session.  The Chef went ripping out there and took the White Diamonds shot, which had been mowed yesterday but not last night, finding it frozen, chunky, bumpy, and not the kind of surface you want when you have made that kind of commitment to the fall line.   He pulled out the line with out incident, but he was wound up tight when he related his experience, so expect more firmness in the back first thing in the morning as well as Regulator.   The North facing aspects are still holding the cold, dry, chalky consistency, but be vigilant as the aspects change, as you might suddenly find an abrupt change in the ride.   No doubt, the back side will soften up nicely as the warmth works the bowl, so time your visit to the back side with that in mind.  The hill is still holding some very smooth lines, so you can expect much the same tomorrow as today.   I will get a close look for tomorrow’s post after I drive around a bit.  Here is a shot of Pagan Bowl from the Alta boundary.   See you in the AM.   Ciao!!

29 degrees on the peak, beautiful Sun pouring over the hill, let me go without a hat from the word go.  The Grooming crew prepared some very sweet surprises for the morning crew.  Mineral Basin had some sweet  drops that are not often treated, so I spent time ground pounding the goodness before it was discovered.  The High North is still holding the smooth, dry, chalky, wind buff, which is resisting the traffic, remaining solid and trustworthy.  High traffic areas are becoming more highly worked, creating some very abrupt interference patterns, but there are good lines on the boarders to skirt the rumble.  The Sun worked the direct exposures, and will be very crisp in the AM, but will soften quickly with the warmer temps predicted.    Big open rippers really draw the fast movers, so a vigilant eye uphill is mandatory, as the unbridled enthusiasm is in full effect.  West facing is still a bit rough, as it escapes the softening that help other aspects, so go with an eye for challenge.   They are certainly not undo-able,

Bookends

but they are variable.   There should be a bit more traffic tomorrow,  making the early morning the time to get the best of the day.    Here is a shot of the Bookends looking formidable, which they are.  I am taking a day off tomorrow, so I will see you Sunday.  Peace Out.