MARKER ON THE WAY

As anticipated, the Groomers were going off with carvelicious consistency, encouraging full on lacerations in the fresh till.  Continued cold temps. kept the off trail refrigerated and kept it from setting up too much.  The North facing shots were getting a lot of traffic and have begun to show the wear in places.  Snow making efforts afforded some delightful Gun Powder extending 200 to 300′ below the guns.  I throttled back in these instances, and dialed in some high and tight turns to get as much of the essence as possible.  I mentioned earlier this year that, gun or sky, good powder is where you find it.  The West facing is still a bit tricky with some chunk and funk to contend with.  All aspects have been pretty much worked over, though there are still some lines to be had if you venture to the extremities and look for the ignored lines.  After venturing off trail in various locations to get a sense of things, I headed back to the machine worked runs to take advantage of the clean steel line turn to turn.   Yeah! That’s the ticket!!  Tomorrow look for the Groomers to, again, provide the buff zone and get you warmed up for the day.  The off trail is requiring a bit more persuasion to punch through as it sets up, but it also is beginning to bond to the lower surface and make the overall ride a bit less erratic.   More snow is on the way in the near future, so the extra effort  you place in these turns will pay off when the goods hit the hill.   See you there dark and early.   Ta!!

The faithful had their collective ear to the rail, and rallied to be there for this installment, which was buoyant and effervescent.   The bottom was still in play, being sketchy and scratchy where the recent warm spell worked it, but felt luxurious top to bottom.  The high North and Northeast facing provide the best ride.  Mineral Basin was  getting mixed reviews, so I expect that there was a wide range of variation. The snow stayed fluffy all day, though it did begin to get a tad set up lower on the hill, and might present some resistance in the AM.  Tomorrow, look for groomers to be perfect with this fresh product to work with.   Be aware of the variable consistency of the old layer, which varies widely from aspect to aspect.  The West facing undercrust was particularly tricky, so watch that aspect. It will take another storm to cover it up, though a friendly wind storm can work wonders.    I vote for that.   How about you?  Peace Out!

After the last few days of warmer temps, which resulted in some challenging conditions off trail, I thought today would be even more challenging.  I found some nice build up on the Northeast exposures that got better with traffic, and continued to improve throughout the day.  Regulator was smooth but firm, with some transported snow giving a bit of tooth to the surface.  The predicted snow has still not begun as I write this, but I feel confident for a total rebound back into winter, and all the shots going off.  Folks are taking advantage of the opening of Baldy Express to the Alta entrance, taking full advantage of the best each has to offer. The upper entrance into Great Scott is still ugly and offers few sketchy options to get in,  I am still avoiding it until we get some cover.  The rest of the hill is looking good, with still smooth shots, fully ready for some new product.  Look for new snow in the AM, though how much is a toss up.  Little attendance will probably continue if reports don’t look promising, giving those who show up a full on wall to wall day.  See you in the AM.   Peace Out!!

I was engaged all day in a deep briefing on calibrating the hyperspace coordinate grid.  As in STAR WARS, it is a bad thing to come blasting out of a Worm Hole into an asteroid belt, so I paid close attention.  On the hill today, I was close on my prognostications about the Sun damage, where the aspects needed to be considered after  yesterday’s warming event.  The warmth continues, and will continue for the next day or so with  the high overcast  making the lighting a bit on the flat side.  This abrupt change highlights the sharp contrast of the previously sumptuous ride with the more difficult Sun damaged product.  Tomorrow look for continued high clouds to obscure the Sun as the next system approaches later in the week.   The “CHEF” has weighed in on today, reporting some fun to be had on the sheltered North West exposures, and still  smooth turning on the due North aspects as well.  Mineral Basin did sustain some damage to the perfection that has held up for this entire early season.  We are escaping the severe weather drama that is happening in other parts of the country, where sub Zero temps and snow, where they don’t need it, stress the holiday ramp up.  Of course, we can use it here, but our turn will come.  I will be looking for some rocking Groomers in the AM. to get the vibe up to full charge after today’s  serious Down Load.  Look for light traffic to continue before the holiday vacations begin, so be sure to take advantage of these great days!!!   See you dark and early.  CIAO!!!   PS.  Here is a shot of the valley from the peak.  From this vantage point  all problems seem as small as the houses, cars, and happenings going on down there.  Just a thought!

BIG PICTURE

It was 38 degrees in the parking lot as I parked for the day, with low clouds and the peak shrouded in dense clouds.  I thought it was going to begin raining, and that was a distinct possibility, but the first Tram offered 2” of high density cover over the hill that had a sumptuous feel, though the visibility was less than stellar.  Back to back Trams were happening, with light traffic after yesterdays attendance spike.  The upper Cirque was going off with smoothness wall to wall, maintaining that rare back country feel that is still holding strong as we move into the  holiday season.  Around Noon, the Sun began to peak through the cloud cover illuminating the field, and let the faithful dial in those neglected lines that remained obscured by the fog.   The Sun exposure, and unusually high temps. began to set up the product on the lower elevations, turning into the dreaded Harbor Chop. Tomorrow,  watch out for the crud to have frozen up on those lower elevations, and any shots that took some direct hits from the low angle rays.   The Groomers will offer the best consistency, but High North facing will still be good to go.  Baldy is getting back into shape after the slide took out Field of Glory, though care must be exercised on the traverse, where there are some scree reveals that are surprising and potentially damaging.  Mineral Basin will have been affected by the afternoon Sun, so chose your shots with that in mind.   I have been called by the DARK SIDE to attend a day of full downloads, where I will no doubt be hooked up to some scary looking machine that is sure to test my intestinal fortitude.  I will post a report using my many inside sources for an accurate account.  See  you Tuesday!!!   I know I promised a picture, but I bailed before the Sun came out in it’s full fury.   Next time.   Peace Out!!!

The snow falling from yesterday into last night, sent a signal through the collective consciousness of the faithful, drawing them to the power center to partake of the Essence.  High winds and a delayed start on the Tram sent them in search of alternate lift options to get to goods.  The wind had heavily slammed the snow pack, transporting the goods to the high North and West facing exposures, where the best reports came, leaving the other aspects scoured, intermittent, or slabbed out.    The Tram fired up at 11:30 AM.  and was a welcome uphill bump for the faithful, who filled all the lots and Canyon Road.  It was a good day to have taken off.  Tomorrow look for the wind packed, supportable lines in Mineral Basin, the high North East faces, and the always reliable grooming runs for the morning warm up.   The Cirque Traverse is also offering some West facing treats if you go venturing out that way.  A warm front is moving through for tonight, which might deliver some higher density product.  Temps. are also expected to be above average, so plan on not having to dress too heavily.  The mountain is still holding up the overall smoothness, with the bump build up holding off for the time being.  I am taking full advantage of the line and ride.    After all the limited visibility days, I have been unable to get any photos that have any definition, so I will get some put up as soon as I can. Stay tuned.   See you there in the AM!   IBBY!!

The morning started off with just a small amount of snow, though the winds were taking it and filling in the Peruvian side of the hill.   Very light traffic made the back to back pace make-able with no problem.  The wind came up in a big way around 10:30 AM, and continued to build to a frenzy at 11:30 AM, when the Tram was shut down.   I ventured forth to the Peruvian Express, on my way to Mineral Basin, for the Super Loop.   The wind was stupendous, and there was  no question why the Tram was down.  It is so fun to be in such extreme conditions.  If you were caught in the high mountains in those conditions, it would be life threatening, however, with our gear and vision, we make it a sport.  The snow increased markedly with the increased wind, filling in the tracks and making every run a fresh one.   The wind was really hammering the snow pack, scouring here, filling in there, but overall the mountain is buffed smooth and prime for a full on assault on the fall line of choice!  MMMMM!!!  The entrance to Great Scott is entertaining, and I will be looking elsewhere until it gets more realistic.  Heavy snow is forecast to continue through tomorrow, so you can bet it is going to be great.  The density was a bit on the high side, but with dropping temps., a special day is on tap for those who get up there.  I will, of course, be off tomorrow, so please take a run for me.  I will be posting tomorrow, based on my inside sources.   IBBY!!

There was one inch of sweet frosting all over the entire mountain that was spread evenly top to bottom.  Not too much, not too little, it was just right.  I took the opportunity of super light traffic and ultra smooth groomers to take out my wings for 3 blistering runs.  The light was a touch flat, though the Sun was threatening to bring definition as soon as it got higher in the sky.  Mineral Basin had the bright Sun right off the bat, and offered some smoking lines with zero pressure.  As the morning wore on,  the high clouds kept the light an issue  obscuring the details that could help the charge, but the smoothness of the hill and the consistency of the fresh frosting made  a solid commitment to the fall line good to go.  The High North is staying very smooth with the entrances to the major shots not a bad choice.   Some low amplitude rumble is beginning to rise up in the sections that get a bit more traffic, though the cadence  of the rumble seems to accommodate a GS turn without  much problem.  The overall smoothness of the hill lends itself to some exploration runs to get a closer look at the hill.  Some times a rasty section will keep me from venturing for a look, but it looks like exploratory runs are a good idea while the pressure is off and the pace is more realistic.  Tomorrow, look for great grooming to get the juices flowing.  Those 3 flights I took this morning surely did that.   See you dark and early for the festivities.   Peace Out!!

The morning was beautiful, clear, warm, and just  perfect as an apres storm day, where all my muscles and joints are feeling the strain of the last series of days.   The Groomers were the place to get warmed up before getting started on the crud left over from yesterday, which had begun to set  up and get stiff.  The North facing shots still had the granular softness, but else where the crud took a bit more persuasion to punch through.  I went in search of the last vestiges of untracked, finding some small sections and corners to tap into.  After a serious look at the options, I went back to the Groomers to take advantage of the velvety smoothness that got increasingly sweet with the traffic.   There is more snow in the forecast, which can only add to the legend that this season seems to be developing.  We should make a mental note of this year as we move into the future, when THEY will ask what year was most memorable.  Perhaps, this will be the year we will talk about like we talk about 1985.  Anyone remember that one?   Oh yeah, that was a year!!!  But you know, each year has it’s greatness and certain days that defy exaggeration, so you have to grab each day as a treasure.  The hill is still holding up the smoothness, with only the most heavily used spots getting any amplitude, so all lines are good to go and a feeling good.  I will see yo there for first Boat!!!   Ciao!!   Muldar  was right!!!

With only 4” reporting, no one showed up for  a sumptuous treat of “Bottomlessly” dense grauple, that was effortless and buoyant.   The very light attendance left untracked lines very late in the day.  The Sun in Mineral Basin was wonderful first thing, with smooth lines wall to wall.  The mountain felt like you were skiing deep sugar, and it did not pack out, but remained blastable.  The traverses are getting much better, with with cover holding a bit higher on those sections closer to the rocks  Tomorrow, look for a great morning with Sun and your choice of line, because you will find soft happening snow on all exposures.  I keep saying this, but this is my favorite time of the year.  There are so many rare treats to be had, because there is no traffic to distort the perfection that is there now.   I went venturing to the fare reaches today, where I was able to get a shot I never even consider, but now it offered a rare moment that I haven’t seen in years.  .  It is well worth taking the time to take a second and look around at way the hill is wearing with the wind we have had.  I keep passing by theses exposed knolls of rock that will be covered by the next big installment.  There is weather in the forecast, so we can look forward to some very rare days indeed.  See you there for first Bell.  IBBY!!