Return To Alta

[Photo-John]

It's that time of year again!

For the skiers - my first turns this winter were powder turns. The left line in the second photo is my first of the season. It doesn't get any better than that

Although only a couple of Utah resorts are actually open, the season has started for some. Today was my first official day of skiing for the 2009/2010 season. Alta's lifts aren't running yet but there was 8 inches or so of snow in the past couple of days and my friend Mike and I both have new backcountry gear to try out. So we drove up Little Cottonwood Canyon, strapped our new skins on the skis, and climbed about halfway up the mountain. Climbing on skis is hard work. That's the biggest climb I've ever done on skis and although the climbing skins worked great, it was still harder than I expected. Since I plan to be doing a lot of backcountry skiing this season, I think I'm gonna get really, really strong.

Photo content? Yes, I did take a few pictures. Plus, the new ski gear should mean lots of good backcountry photography this winter. These photos were all taken with the Panasonic Lumix GH1 Micro Four Thirds camera. Panasonic sent it to me about a week ago and I'm just finishing up a little video piece on the camera, so watch for that. With the 10x image stabilized zoom lens and compact body, it's a very nice camera to carry when size and weight are critical.

[Dylan8i]

nice ive been dreaming (and watching ski videos) for about the last two weeks now. im just getting in to skiing (but picked it up super quick). i can't wait to get out west again. instead i have to wait another month or 2 to ski a craptastic hill near my place. these photos just make me that more jealous.

[EOSThree]

I'm jealous. I moved to North Carolina and there is precious little of that for me now, especially this time of year.

[mjs1973]

I went downhill skiing once. It was the most fun I ever had hurting myself! Looks like a great place to get out and explore! Wish I was there.

I did get a pair of X-country skis last year so not that the leaves are off the trees, I'm ready for the white stuff!

[Irie Times]

PJ,

I was up there also sunday,it was nice to get out on the skiis again, and your right those first days on skin's are pretty burtal!

Have you done much backcountry in utah before? If not let me know if you would like me to let you in on some nice little spots. For example there is a great one right above the guy in your picture at the truck on the back side of hellgate and just below christmas tree point, you can also get to that ridge and there are many bowls going down into big cottonwood. Have fun!

Irie Times

[livin4lax09]

jealous. Want some snow 'round these parts. It's been around 65 the past couple weeks, it's very odd.

[Photo-John]

Have you done much backcountry in utah before? If not let me know if you would like me to let you in on some nice little spots.

I'd love that! To be honest, I'm new to backcountry skiing. I've been under the ropes a couple of times - once when I shot a wedding in Catherine's Bowl for a friend, and last year I shot the Interconnect tour for a magazine article (the current issue of Wasatch Woman). Last year I put together all the gear for backcountry skiing and I'm ready to go now. Just gotta take an avy course. I'm looking at Utah Avalanche Level 1 workshop in mid-December. I wanna get out there, but I don't want to be a liability

[spiraleyes]

Beautiful shots! Man, I love it up there.

[livin4lax09]

once you go backcountry, skiing at resorts will seem like child's play.

[Irie Times]

PJ- That is awesome that you are checking out some back country skiing, you are in the right place (Utah), I will definitely hook you up with some nice spots! I will even hook up with you if you ever are in need of someone to ski with, however I will be picking you brain on photography tips also so I hope that is okay.

Couple of thoughts for you, this may get long but maybe I am just getting gitty over the snow also and am happy to see a fellow backcountry honk out there.
First of all do take that avalanche class, it will teach you how the snow works, what to look for in snow and what to avoid. It also will teach you how to use your equipment, it is like photography you can have great cameras but if you don’t know how to use them they are just cameras…

When I first started my friend and I would play a game we would get a 6-pack of beer go up to the mountains and take turns throwing a receiver (I am assuming you have one, if not get one) the thrower would sit an drink a beer while the other found it. Here is the catch they close their eyes while you throw it and have no idea which direction it went or how far. Also you don’t throw them 10 feet you throw them 50 feet or more, if they can’t find it they can’t find you!

I went one time few years ago, I asked one of the new guys if he could find my receiver, he said yes I threw it about 70 feet and said find it, he was pissed but eventually found it, he asked why I did that and I told him I didn’t want to be worried about him finding me if something should happen, he got the point. Anyway my point is learning how to use that receiver, it will save your buddy’s life if heaven forbid ever needed.

When I first started backcountry 15 years ago when I was 21 a guy told me this and I will pass it along, may sound goofy but you will laugh at every stage as it happens.

Backcountry Stages:

There will come a conversation if it has not already happen that someone will ask you why in the world would you hike for 3 hours to ski for 30 minutes when you can go to a resort and get 10 times the runs in –in that time. You will give examples of the serenity, new untouched snow, solitude, etc. to them and they will say that sounds stupid!

You and your buddies at some later day after a nice overnight snowfall, will go out early in the morning say 9:00 am and start hiking up to the spot you have scouted out or read about, as you get to the top you will notice that that nice canvas you where about to carve has already been taken but you will still have a great day. With smiles on your face you will sit in your car after a great day you will discuss that you need to get there earlier.

After the next snowfall you will plan on getting up at 6:00 am and getting up there early, with your head lamps blazing you will make your way to the summit. As the sun starts to crest you are about ¾ the way to the top, from the distance you will hear screams of pleasure as you see some guys coming down that untouched canvas. You will make your way to the top and have a great day in some awesome slightly touched snow. With smiles on your face you will sit in your car after a great day you will discuss that you need to get there earlier.

After the next snowfall you will plan on getting up at 4:00 am and getting to the summit before sunrise to ensure first tracks. In this thought process you will plan on taking a little portable stove, coffee/hot chocolate pot, water, pan and top-ramen. You think we don’t need to haul water because we can melt snow and this will keep us warm till the sun comes up. Sitting on the top of the summit with a cup of Joe in hand and a bowl of top-ramen soup you watch the sun come over the crest, what a beautiful site! You look down your canvas and enjoy being the first tracks! When you get to the bottom you hike back up to a nice little spot you noticed while sitting there watching the sun come up. With smiles on your face you will sit in your car after a great day you will discuss that you really didn’t need your light since the moon shined the way for you. You then will think about the photography rule that says taking pictures of a full moon follow the same rule as “Sunny F/16”.

After the next snowfall you have decided to go up at 11:00pm and ski under a full moon, you are now beyond reversal and completely hooked.

One day at the resort you run in to a buddy who asked where you have been skiing, you tell him backcountry and he asks why you would hike for 3 hours to ski for 30 minutes, this time you just smile and say because I am stupid. In the back of your head you are thinking I sure hope that front comes through tonight so I can get up at 4:00am tomorrow…

Have Fun!

Sorry So Long!

[Photo-John]

No problem on the long post. The more passion the better! I moved to Utah for the mountains and I want to make the most of it. Before I moved here I hadn't skied in about ten years so I am making up for lost time. I have a flexible work schedule and cameras to test so I want to get out a lot. When it comes to backcountry skiing, I will be grateful to anyone who will let me tag along. And offering photo advice is no problem - that's my job. Bonus for good skiers who are patient enough to have their picture taken. I need more great pow photos!

[Irie Times]

Nice! you moved to the right place!

Look forward to hooking up with you on the mountian this year.

[Singletracklovr]

Those shots are spectacular P-J.

IT,
Great story.
I have used the same strategy to get to my favorite fly fishing hole via mtn bike.

Do you have any picts from those outings? Would love to see them.

IT or PJ, I'd like to ask, is skins easier than snowshoes?

Thanks
Bob

[draymorton]

Great shots, John! I'm greener than the Hulk with envy. Always wanted to go Alta, but never made it. Even though the terrain is ridiculous, the clamor of the 'Bird never sat right with me...

Btw, I need some advice on skis...

[w.slayman]

PJ,

Some really great shots, close to perfection. They remind me of the first and last time I got on skis. It was on the Bunny Slope at Monarch Pass, I Fell Down, Got Ran Over, Broke my Right Leg, and 3 Ribs. Now I make sure my water is liquid. :LOL: When I saw the pictures this afternoon I got cold so I went to the beach for a quick dip and to grab some rays. ahhh FLORIDA, and BRAZIL.

Fantastic work.

[Photo-John]

Not really close to perfection. There wasn't enough snow

Sorry about your bad ski experience. Sounds like you needed a better teacher. Getting a good lesson makes a big difference in how people feel about skiing.

Last year I skied a big powder day at Snowbird and the next morning I got on the plane for a camera introduction in Miami. That was kind of neat - an ice beard one day and on the beach the next

[Photo-John]

IT or PJ, I'd like to ask, is skins easier than snowshoes?

I haven't been on snowshoes for years. But everyone assures me that skis are more effecient. Think about it - with snowshoes you have to really pick up your feet. With skins you just push forward - you don't actually have to pick up your feet. Well, I guess you have to pick them up a bit if you're in powder. But not as much as you would with snowshoes. Plus, if you're gonna ski down, skins are smaller and lighter than carrying snowshoes and skis.

[Photo-John]

Great shots, John! I'm greener than the Hulk with envy. Always wanted to go Alta, but never made it. Even though the terrain is ridiculous, the clamor of the 'Bird never sat right with me...

Btw, I need some advice on skis...

Glad you like the photos. I don't think they're great photos. But they're a start. I haven't been back on the snow since that day. But I'm planning to go this weekend. It's time to start getting the legs in shape and getting my ski photo technique tuned back up.

I ski all the resorts here but I love Alta the most. Solitude comes second. I like Snowbird a lot, too but I like it most on a powder day. I think it's good but Alta's terrain is jjust as good without as many meatheads on the slopes.

Got a ski question? I can't promise I can help, but post it on the off-topic forum and I'll see if I can help

[Irie Times]

Singletracklovr- glad you enjoyed the story, i laugh every time i read it, i am sure you did too if you are using the same strategy for fly fishing...

As far as skins vs snow shoes, skins are much more efficiant (more surface area to keep you on top) and lighter like pj said for the ride back down.

Also, snow shoes ruin the trail they put big holes in it insetead of 2 ski lines.

When i first started bk i my buddy and i could not afford skins so we would strap our skis and hike in just boots, tell you what that really sucks! also caught a lot of crap from the skiers who's trails we where ruining. live and learn right?

draymorton - Advice on ski's, i would just go out and demo a few pairs and find ones that you like, these days there really isn't a bad set of ski's out there just bad skiers. I know guys that could shred it up on 1985 skinny skis just because their technique is so tight.

have fun.

Hey PJ i was up there yesterday looking for some snow, we need some badly it was pretty thin.