I am really starting to hate this changing climate thing.
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Woke up at 4am to the sound of pissing rain - it continued heavy until 8am. Decided to give the resort a try as there was a chance that the freezing level might cooperate. It did not. Rode wet sloppy shit for a few laps, ate an overpriced KFC chicken burger and came home.
I am really starting to hate this changing climate thing.
I am really starting to hate this changing climate thing.
Awoke to the forecasted rain all the way up to 3,000 meters. No turns.
After 24 hours of travel by plane, train and car I awoke to bluebird skies in Hakuba. I met up with Yannis from splitboard.com who drove us from Tokyo to Hakuba. He drove us to Tsugaike where we poached the gondola and a chairlift ride, which thanks to the pay per use setup cost about $15, to gain access to the upper mountain. Temperatures were very warm today resulting in spring like conditions. We got a late start and quit early, resulting in only 1,850 up. Yannis speaks Japanese and has shielded me from quite a bit of the culture shock. There is some amazing looking terrain here. Hopefully the cold temps and snow return soon!
I'd wanted to scout a bowl at Waterton on the way down to start the road trip, but timing didn't work out. With temperatures well on the wrong side of freezing and a high pressure system in the area, I left Kalispell early heading homeward with plans on exploring the bowl. It was after noon by the time I set off skinning. Visibility was very good, the best I'd ever seen at Waterton.
Conditions were spring like - mushy, icy and the wind was almost dead calm. The bowl looked promising from the beginning of the climb and the closer I got, the better a couple lines appeared to be. Near the summit, I ran into tracks - luckily they were of the four foot variety. At the ridge top, I found the track maker. We stared at each other for a few seconds, then he moved along the ridge. I missed the photo of a lifetime when the goat was silhouetted against a blue sky - I tried to grab the better camera from the pack, but he got camera shy and vanished.
Wildlife encounter over, I returned my attention to the recon - there's a large prominent, northeasterly aspect couloir that drops probably 1,200 to 1,500 feet. Conditions today were likely good enough to ride it, but I think the easier access is up the other ridge and I was solo - save for my mountain goat partner.
After many photos, I dropped the treed side of the bowl and experienced the worst snow of the season (but still better than resort!).
Total up for the day was 2,320.
Conditions were spring like - mushy, icy and the wind was almost dead calm. The bowl looked promising from the beginning of the climb and the closer I got, the better a couple lines appeared to be. Near the summit, I ran into tracks - luckily they were of the four foot variety. At the ridge top, I found the track maker. We stared at each other for a few seconds, then he moved along the ridge. I missed the photo of a lifetime when the goat was silhouetted against a blue sky - I tried to grab the better camera from the pack, but he got camera shy and vanished.
Wildlife encounter over, I returned my attention to the recon - there's a large prominent, northeasterly aspect couloir that drops probably 1,200 to 1,500 feet. Conditions today were likely good enough to ride it, but I think the easier access is up the other ridge and I was solo - save for my mountain goat partner.
After many photos, I dropped the treed side of the bowl and experienced the worst snow of the season (but still better than resort!).
Total up for the day was 2,320.
Short day on the mountain, long day on the road. Made a single lap 1,500 up and 2,450 down followed by a final thumb.
Snow was getting tracked, temperatures were spring like and Blair's leg were "fin" after 3 days of high altitude skinning.
We learned that Montana in the winter is a depressing place - sporadic mountains and not much snow.
I'm hoping to make a lap or two at Waterton on the way home tomorrow.
Snow was getting tracked, temperatures were spring like and Blair's leg were "fin" after 3 days of high altitude skinning.
We learned that Montana in the winter is a depressing place - sporadic mountains and not much snow.
I'm hoping to make a lap or two at Waterton on the way home tomorrow.
Slept in today and made it to the pass at 10. Decided we should check out the boot pack up Mt. Glory. Topped out on my first 10,000 footer with barely a cloud in the sky.
We dropped into the coal creek drainage. Found some great protected turns in the shade then skinned up to bag powder turns in some aspens! Blair got some great photos of me crossing this off the list.
Finished the day by reusing our skin track of a couple days ago to the south ridge of Mt. Taylor.
Total for the day was 3,870 up with 5,060 down as we had to thumb a ride to the summit. Got picked up by the first vehicle. When in rome - bootpack and hitch hike.
We dropped into the coal creek drainage. Found some great protected turns in the shade then skinned up to bag powder turns in some aspens! Blair got some great photos of me crossing this off the list.
Finished the day by reusing our skin track of a couple days ago to the south ridge of Mt. Taylor.
Total for the day was 3,870 up with 5,060 down as we had to thumb a ride to the summit. Got picked up by the first vehicle. When in rome - bootpack and hitch hike.
Woke up to almost clear skies. Explored a bit to the south side of the summit before finding a nice open bowl. Got some great photos and made several shorter laps.
For the last run we decided to copy the masses and drop to a lower road. We'd scoped the bottom road and thought things looked pretty flat near the bottom. We were right. Gained an extra 2,000 of descent, but only a quarter of that was quality, the rest of it was single track ski out with more than a few uphill sections.
The final part involves a walk along the road to the highway. Hitching is illegal here, but they turn a blind eye to it at the pass. I caught me first ride ever after only 2 or 3 cars.
Suffice to say, cheating via the ski out, walk, hitch isn't worth it in our opinion.
Blair and I bagged 3,850 up and thanks to the cheating, 5,860 down.
Hoping for clear weather again tomorrow so we can make the boot up Mt. Glory.
For the last run we decided to copy the masses and drop to a lower road. We'd scoped the bottom road and thought things looked pretty flat near the bottom. We were right. Gained an extra 2,000 of descent, but only a quarter of that was quality, the rest of it was single track ski out with more than a few uphill sections.
The final part involves a walk along the road to the highway. Hitching is illegal here, but they turn a blind eye to it at the pass. I caught me first ride ever after only 2 or 3 cars.
Suffice to say, cheating via the ski out, walk, hitch isn't worth it in our opinion.
Blair and I bagged 3,850 up and thanks to the cheating, 5,860 down.
Hoping for clear weather again tomorrow so we can make the boot up Mt. Glory.
The forecast looked gloomy. We checked out of the hotel early - either find powder or go home?
Hit the summit of Teton pass and found only a handful of cars. Bootpack to the north and an unknown drop to a walk to a hitch hike on the south. We opted for the lower parking lot to the west. Put in our own skin track up to what we later learned was the south ridge of Taylor Mountain. Nice consistent pitch made for efficient skinning. Weather got better as the day progressed. Made 3 laps, total of 3,620 up. Checked back into the same hotel for $10 a night cheaper. I think the economy is hurting the town a bit - enough you can haggle the front desk people.
Got orientated today, bought a ski touring book about the pass. Planning a couple more days of splitting, then see what the weather brings. I want to hit Utah, but without fresh snow, what's the point?
Earn your turns!
Hit the summit of Teton pass and found only a handful of cars. Bootpack to the north and an unknown drop to a walk to a hitch hike on the south. We opted for the lower parking lot to the west. Put in our own skin track up to what we later learned was the south ridge of Taylor Mountain. Nice consistent pitch made for efficient skinning. Weather got better as the day progressed. Made 3 laps, total of 3,620 up. Checked back into the same hotel for $10 a night cheaper. I think the economy is hurting the town a bit - enough you can haggle the front desk people.
Got orientated today, bought a ski touring book about the pass. Planning a couple more days of splitting, then see what the weather brings. I want to hit Utah, but without fresh snow, what's the point?
Earn your turns!
Woke up and changed plans after we saw the foot of fresh for Jackson Hole. Caught the first tram after a 30 minute delay and a $87 lift ticket. Was greeted with a whiteout up top and the lightest powder I'd ever seen. Too light in fact. Every turn was rewarded with the scraping sound of edge on hardpack mogul. Amazing terrain. Scary terrain. We came. We saw. We rode. We left early.
Planning the pass tomorrow and really hoping slc gets snow so we can get utarded!
Seeing new places that we've lusted after forever is fun, but nothing beats the powder!
Planning the pass tomorrow and really hoping slc gets snow so we can get utarded!
Seeing new places that we've lusted after forever is fun, but nothing beats the powder!
Stayed in Bozeman last night. Woke up planning Bridger Bowl today and Big Sky tomorrow. Found no new snow this am. Bought ticket, made one run and decided to bail. Looks to be amazing terrain when there's powder. Resold the lift tickets in the parking lot and hit the road. Made it to teton pass in time to see the layout. Looks to be lots of options. Will explore it tomorrow, then Jackson Hole the following day or two. Hoping to hit Utah towards the end of the week, but powder piggies can't make plans too far in advance.
Blair and I continue to be blown away by the geography here. There's potato growing "terrain" minutes from teton pass. You could be standing in the middle of the prairies until you look a certain direction. Farm land at 5,000 feet plus.
Stoked to get some powder turns tomorrow!
Blair and I continue to be blown away by the geography here. There's potato growing "terrain" minutes from teton pass. You could be standing in the middle of the prairies until you look a certain direction. Farm land at 5,000 feet plus.
Stoked to get some powder turns tomorrow!
Met up with Blair at Big Mountain. 16 years tends to cloud memories. Not what we remembered at all. Left early and planning on Bridger Bowl or Big Sky tomorrow. Took some pictures but nothing worth while.
After 8 consecutive days of splitboarding I took a day off. It'll be a short break as I'm hoping one or two more days before Blair and I are off on a road trip starting Thursday. We're planning to hit Big Mountain, Big Sky, Jackson Hole and some backcountry along the way. We took a trip to Big Mountain back in 1992 and this will be our first time back. Literally half a life time ago.
So far this winter I've had 16 days on snow. All self powered. 47,620 feet so far. I figured with all the use the split board has been and will be getting I should have a backup plan ready, so I picked up another board - a Prior Spearhead.
I've also officially booked Hakuba today as well. I'll have 17 days less whatever jet lag I encounter to explore the Japanese Alps. Flying solo at this point - you want to come? Drop me a line!
So far this winter I've had 16 days on snow. All self powered. 47,620 feet so far. I figured with all the use the split board has been and will be getting I should have a backup plan ready, so I picked up another board - a Prior Spearhead.
I've also officially booked Hakuba today as well. I'll have 17 days less whatever jet lag I encounter to explore the Japanese Alps. Flying solo at this point - you want to come? Drop me a line!
Waterton represented day 1 of the consecutive day streak for splitboarding, so it's fitting it also was the final and eighth day. I took Tyler and he popped the cherry on splitting. First day for him on a brand new Prior split. I think he may have found a new hobby to keep him busy in the winter.
We took the leisurely 2.5km stroll from the parking lot to the lake edge and were greeted with a somewhat dismal looking amount of snow. We used the summer hiking trail to gain almost all of summit ridge before heading south. Conditions may have allowed an earlier departure from the trail, but some skiers had laid in a skin track, so why break if you don't have to - especially on day 8?
We made a short lap down towards Summit Lake and found some great snow. Skinned back up and traversed across to the top of one of my favorite runs on the ridge. The early season conditions were poking through everywhere though. Lots of Christmas trees and alder that should be buried by now. We still found some great snow and managed to pick our way through the dead fall and whatnot to Cameron Lake. From there we took another leisurely stroll (this time close to 4km) across the lake and down the road to the truck. I busted out my headlamp about 1/2 way as the sun had gone down. Made for a long day, but it's always good to introduce someone new to the good life.
Total up for the day was 3,060 feet.
We took the leisurely 2.5km stroll from the parking lot to the lake edge and were greeted with a somewhat dismal looking amount of snow. We used the summer hiking trail to gain almost all of summit ridge before heading south. Conditions may have allowed an earlier departure from the trail, but some skiers had laid in a skin track, so why break if you don't have to - especially on day 8?
We made a short lap down towards Summit Lake and found some great snow. Skinned back up and traversed across to the top of one of my favorite runs on the ridge. The early season conditions were poking through everywhere though. Lots of Christmas trees and alder that should be buried by now. We still found some great snow and managed to pick our way through the dead fall and whatnot to Cameron Lake. From there we took another leisurely stroll (this time close to 4km) across the lake and down the road to the truck. I busted out my headlamp about 1/2 way as the sun had gone down. Made for a long day, but it's always good to introduce someone new to the good life.
Total up for the day was 3,060 feet.
I picked up Trevor and Dave (who's normally a splitter, but decided he just had to try out his new skis today) and met Gary and Eva at the pass. The weather was almost complete blue bird, so we toured up the north side to see what cornice and buzz's ridge looked like. Made a few laps in the sun, then mother nature turned on the black and white filter. Mostly. Sun poked in and out, often teasing us - blue skies on the skin up, cloudy and cool by the time you're ready to drop in. Managed some great photos, then made a final run down into the valley. Local beta found the most efficient route back above the vehicles for a short home stretch run.
Today was a great end to a 5 day stint at Kootenay Pass. Thank you to all who shared the turns with me. Total up was 3,260 feet.
Today was a great end to a 5 day stint at Kootenay Pass. Thank you to all who shared the turns with me. Total up was 3,260 feet.
The snow stopped, but the clouds remained today. The promise of partly sunny never really arrived. I lugged the big camera along and got some decent shots. Spent the day with Patrick, Gary and Eva. We explored some new (to me) areas which required quite a bit of trail breaking, resulting in 2,910 up today. Today was the 6th consecutive, fatigue is setting in, but I think I have a couple more left in me.
I met up with Patrick today who is another splitboard.com member. We broke the same uptrack twice - the snow was falling that fast. Visibility was marginal, so I took 4 pictures total, none of which turned out very well. We made 3 runs, bagged 3,700 feet up and I owe a debt of gratitude to Patrick for his trail breaking efforts. Snow was very nice today - the new stuff was very light and fluffy - quintessential Kootenay Blower. The 5 day forecast is calling for more snow every day...
