095 - 2010-04-17 New World Gulch and points beyond

Went for a ski with Jim, who lives at the trailhead, and Niko. Was looking at getting some uphill in and then out for a quick day; Jim had other ideas. We skinned up the winter route to the big meadow and then Jim led beyond that. After going up a treed ridge, we began to approach an open basin and heard a loud crashing tumbling sound. We quickly popped out the trees,  where we could see the debris of several recent wet slides.

Fortunately we designs on skiing the open slopes below that were not quite as steep as the ones below the cliffs. However Niko ignored these considerations and once I let her off the leash, she made a beeline for all the debris and then started heading up a chute. At the bottom of a nice open run, we couldn't see her and only heard the rockfall she kicking loose, the same type of event that set off the wet slides. After a period of wondering if I'd ever see the pup alive again, not the first time I've been in this situation, she came bounding down the slope to us.

After that we negotiated a few open areas and then went into the trees pointing towards the trail. This is when it became teh suk and the rain began; tight in deep heavy wet snow with the wrong skis for it, being hooked up to Niko didn't help. Eventually we made back to the trail, the big meadow and the bobslead run down the creek bed. Finally made it back to Jim's place, where we had a couple cold beverages on his deck: in the rain. Still one of the better days of the season.

Conditions - Nice on the way up, then devolved into deep heavy wet snow for the way down in the rain

Ski - Karhu Dorado 195 - Worked real well on the way up with skinny skins. The way down was another story as they are not suited to tight turns in crap snow. The second time these skis have let me down.

094 - 2010-04-11 Goose Ck

A quick jaunt up the skin track. Turned around at the base of the upper snowfields because I was by myself and and thought the skiing would suck. I was wrong, the few turns I was able to catch were perfect spring conditions. Good run out to the car with Niko, who would reveal her predatory instincts later that day.
Conditions - Real solid going up, but I thought it would be breakable crust. Turned out to be solid, with that light softening on top that makes life worth living.
Ski - K2 Anti-Piste 181 + Scarpa T1 - First time touring on this rig, thought it was a bit slow. The conundrum is it better to sacrifice on the way up for performance on the way down: it depends.

093 - 2010-04-10 Big Sky - Pond Skim!

A big day each year and this one was no different. Got a bit later start than desired with Dunc, Mahala and Hayden. By the 11 or so we rolled into Big Sky, we discovered that a few others had the same idea. I'd never seen the place so packed, we had to park on a side road. After getting all set up at the base area around noon, we hooked up with Cody and Gibby and headed up towards the bowl. Had a good run down with Dunc and the kids, then they headed down to the base for food n stuff.

Seeing that the tram line was a bit long, we headed down to go back up to make our way over towards Shedhorn and then Dakota. Once over that way we traversed over to nice snow under some cliffs and made our way down. After that it was some headwall to the left of Sreaming Left and over to the Shedhorn Yurt for a much needed cold beverage.

After the long traverse back to the base area, met up with Yatsuko at Mr Hummers for eats and shotz while the others took another run. We were soon joined by Mai, Masumi, Gibby and Cody. We trekked over to a good vantage point for the Pond Skim, where we got a good view of all sort of skiers willing to immerse themselves in cold water and various crowd related mayhem. After all too briefly watching Craig and the Cropdusters, we headed over to Scissorbill's, where Dunc and the gang saved me from too much fun.

A few more pix here:
http://teleturn.smugmug.com/2010-Winter/2010-04-Big-Sky-Pond-Skim

092 - 2010-04-04 Moonlight

What looked to be an inauspicious day turned out to be way cool. Getting a not so terribly early start, we started riding the the lifts to blue skies, and though the lower groomed runs didn't really give an indication, there was plenty of good snow up higher. Had great runs down Upper Headwaters Bowl, Obsidian, Upper Horsehoe Bowl and points inbetween. In the afternoon we stopped to take in the Spring Runoff, where inspired competitors took sick lines down the Heaadwaters area for points and glory. There were some classic lines; Merrick, who has patrolled there since Moonlight opened said, "Wow I've never seen somebody ski that before". There were also some classic wrecks, though nobody got hurt. Finished things off with eats and cold beverages at Wokee.

Conditions - Bluebird and fresh snow up high, could ask for anything more?
Ski - K2 Anti-Piste 181 - The skis make the man!

091 - 2010-04-03 Chief Joseph Pass

Second day at the Gordon Reese cabin/hut and the ski trails at Chief Joseph Pass ski trails. Woke up to 6" of freshies and eventually made our way out. Upon leaving the cabin the fresh snow started to cake up on my skis. I followed the gang out to the top of the open meadows and was about to bail due to snow sticking to the skis. This is where Chris saved the day, coming back up the hill with a can of Easy-Glide and that did the trick, no problems after that. After a run down, we went around and through a bunch of the trails. Yet again 5 Hour Energy powered Gibby led the way. Made our way back the cabin for some eats before we had to clear out for the next crew. Ski out was a bit tedious with 2 packs on.

Conditions - 6 or so of fresh made for some nice skiing. Temps were a bit chilly for April
Ski - Karhu Dorado 195

090 - 2010-04-02 Chief Joseph Pass

Duncan scored a night in the Gordon Reese hut which is in the middle of a pile cross country trails at Chief Joseph Pass and a mile or so from Lost Trail Pass. This place is the Taj MaHut of Forest Service cabins. Only a few years old, the hut is very well built, spacious and has a full kitchen. Myself, Dunc, Gibby and Chris arrived to the parking lot in mid afternoon and skied the half mile in with packs and a pulk loaded with full supplies. Then it started dumping. Was able to get in a couple runs in the open meadows near the cabin, low angle but good fun. Then settled into a full dinner and further festivities.

Conditions - This is a cross country ski area with groomed trails, but due to being late in the season they had not been fully groomed in a while. However it was still pretty good. Off trail was supportable and soon covered in fresh fluffy goodness.
Ski - Karhu Dorado 195 - Brought a few other pairs of skis, but these got the call because they rock! And real good with a heavy pack on.

089 - 2010-03-27 Moonlight

A landmark day! Everything came together for perhaps the best ski day of the season. Snow, skis and maybe my own attitude converged to one point of goodness. Best run eva down upper Headwaters Bowl from the traverse, warp speed arcs in the bowl off to the side of the Headwaters Lift and all points in between. Satiated, I quit early and sat out in the sun at the Madison Lodge with a pitcher of beer.
Conditions - There was a good bit of snow the day before and the upper off piste areas still held niceness. And there was not a single cloud in the sky!

Ski - K2 Anti Piste 181 - The fat kinda rockered boards had sat in the corner forgotten and forlorn all winter after I tweaked my leg on them in the first week at Big Sky. OMFG, I have found my one true love! Could do no wrong and when it seemed like I would, I was able to bring it back.

088 - 2010-03-22 Targhee

For the last day of the WY trip  we hit Targhee on a mostly snowy day. Things varied between almost icy from the previous few days to nice bits of fluff, with most of it inbetween. Driving icy pellets on the face finally pushed us inside, where Yatsuko had been saving a table for a late lunch, followed by the drive back to Bozeman.
Conditions - Mixed
Ski - G3 Rapid Transit 178