Ski Partners

In states such as Montana, most don’t think twice to load the Dogs in the back of the truck when they head out to backcountry ski. Utah does not have this luxury. Both Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon are designated “Water Shed Areas” which is really another term for “ No Dogs.” Don’t get me wrong, with the amount of backcountry ski travel these canyons see, if everyone brought their dogs, it would border on ridiculousness. By venturing out of the Cottonwood Canyons into places such as the Oquirrh Mountains, Emmigration Canyon, and the Snowbasin periphery, I have had the opportunity to tag along with Scoob and Mayes. The dogs make especially good ski partners when heading out for Solo Missions (no other humans). They are great at testing snow stability, no bitching, and best of all they ward off fellow skiers trying to poach lines.

Scoob trying to go for a free ride on the skin track.

Screw the view, Lets huck the cornice!

Mayes scouting her line.

Scoob stomps on the snowmobile track.

Here is another one of my wack narratives. Luckily I watch these videos before I post and make sure I veto it so I don't bore everyone. I threw this one in because the dogs make up for the boringness.

Howling

This is the only photo that I took while chilling in the parking prior to a full moon journey in the Uintas on Wednesday night/Thursday morning. My photography skills are extremely weak making it next to impossible to get any kind of blog worthy photos while skiing at night. Anyway, I don't think any photo would do full moon skiing any justice.

Since discovering the joys of full moon skiing a few years ago, I have become a fan. I have been able to get out on numerous full moon expeditions, including three nights last season. This year all the full moons had fallen on storm nights and I was beginning to think it wasn’t meant to be.
The month of March proved to be different. With a couple of feet falling the day before the full moon and a clear night forecasted, I knew it was on. I got the call from Stoy “ Hey, Full Moon in the Uintas, you in?” “Hell Yeah!”

Alex was able to rally a crew of 10, almost unheard of if you ask me. We had a relaxed skin up with multiple breaks to have a few drinks of whiskey, wine, and beer. Then skied an amazing shot with perfect creamy powder, made even better with the beautiful moonlight. It was so good we had to go for seconds. The out was interesting to say the least, a stout zipper crust, made for a couple miles of snow plowing. Made it back to the trailhead by 1 a.m. and was in bed by 2:30 a.m. and then up at 6:30 a.m. for work. I had a hard time keeping my eyes open at work, but couldn’t wipe the smile off my face from such an epic night.

Canada

A preview of the movie Larry is editing of our trip to Canada last year.