Wild Texture

As anticipated, a high cloud deck kept the Sun from shining through in full force.  It tried to peak through from time to time, so I went out to Mineral Basin to get another look at the  area after so much traffic.  The Sun, wind, and traffic has revealed most of the hazards, leaving some obvious lines to follow.  However, the Interference Patterns developed rapidly in the guts of the open areas.   The Baldy Express and Lupine Loop are tricky as you go through the middle section,with the South facing cliff bands being totally bare right now, so keep that in the back of  your mind  when that area opens after the next big dump.  Regulator was extremely firm, with only sparse dust to use for traction with which to control the speed.  I was in full glide mode, trying to just guide the direction without setting an edge.  They have changed the rope line around the Snow Gun at the bottom of Regulator, so give that some extra room going around that corner.  There is going to be some fresh overnight, so use your knowledge of the existing lines to get the most out of the hill.  Any addition to the snow pack will help out greatly, but expect variable exposure to the now existing firmness to create some issues in line consistency.  Most of the lines will become available as the consolidation of the old snow will keep you from punching through in most areas, though I saw an individual land a jump only to break through the old layer and was still digging his skis out of an enormous hole three runs later.  He finally got them, so he dodged a bullet.   See you for first Tram.  BE well!!   Ciao!!

It was a beautiful morning, with clear skies, and a hot cup of coffee to give my foot a push.  I got to sit down and look at the weather prospects, and it is looking like we are going to see a significant change in the pattern.  All of the chatter is fairly encouraging.   Any addition will be welcome, but a solid cycle would not hurt.  We can expect continued firmness as in the past, and if the high clouds move in ahead, the light could be a bit flat.  Keep in mind that the bottom of Regulator is getting tougher to dump speed when you are going into the turn, so be aware of that and get the turn over with early.  The Gobblin Gully section coming out of LItte Cloud is very sketchy,  with a lot of rocks, abrupt bumps, and little options on the sides.  It is best to go over to Hoopie’s and by pass that section.  Tomorrow, look for the early Trams to be kicking it out, and Mineral Basin is going to be worth looking at again, especially in anticipation of snow.  It is best to know where those reefs are now.   I am looking forward to getting back on the hill,  see you on the first Boat!!

GUNS BLAZZING

Mineral Basin opened this morning, looking full in places and stripped in others.   I dropped Silver Dipper off the gun first thing, as it looked fairly flush, but it turned out to be very wind slabbed.  I did not hit any rocks all the way down by staying in the gut of the gully. Some of the younger kids were making it look easy, but the off trail was work for me.  The Groomer out in Powder Paradise was really fun, offering natural snow top to bottom that carved just like I remember.   By Noon it was getting scraped down to the old layer, and the interference patterns were building with the traffic.  Regulator was offering some stellar Gun Powder that was depositing on the slope hundreds of feet below each gun.  The slick surfaces are still predominate, especially after Noon, however the sides till are holding up.   Tomorrow look for another day of deep focus on the fall line as it keeps you guessing turn by turn.  Mineral Basin will offer some of the best runs of the day before they get worked so make that a priority.  The days have been starting out a bit brisk, but it warms up nicely.  See you Sunday.   IBBY!!!

Another cold morning greeted the morning crew.  I pulled out the Wings to take advantage of the low traffic, but was forced to abort take off down Regulator, when the combination of flat light, snow gun wash, and a lower apron littered with frozen cookies of assorted sizes, which may or may not have been frozen to the surface, thwarted my ambitions.   It was not the cookies one could see, it was the ones that were hiding in the flat light that would get you, so I killed the engines and just taxied quickly to the locker to trade out hand devices for something more traditional.  The Snow Guns were kicking out the Gun Powder relentlessly, filling in the tracks from one Tram to the next, offering some of the best snow on the hill.  The only caveat was is that there was some serious glaze to contend with as you came off the buffed area.  Chips Run offered a bit better traction for the morning session before things got skied off.  Just a look to the sides of the trail will reveal some traction to deal with the speed issues going into the congested areas.  It is rumored  that Mineral Basin will open in the morning, so that will expand the playing field significantly, though reports coming from there have been mixed, with some cautionary reports of some rocks on the Path to Paradise that might present some problems, and should be anticipated if you get that opening.  Be careful anywhere you go back there, knowing that the snow pack is still quite thin.  I will go out to

Dr. Pepper

get a good look, and will report in full tomorrow.    Here is a shot of Dr. Pepper himself taking advantage of some supplemental fortification of this popular drink that just happens to share his surname.   The good Dr. mentioned that, in his considered opinion,  I should stop using the aluminum foil hats, letting the full force of the Cosmic Communications blast through.  Hmmmmm.  That could be problematic.  I will just have to consider the ramifications.    Peace Out!!

The front moved through fast, leaving clouds hanging on the peaks as I drove up the hill.  With no snow at the Trailer, I just figured that a trace would be a stretch, but the hill had a nice variation between Zero and 4” of the ultra light angel dust, which freshened the Grooming job.  I stayed all day, getting max trams because the back to back Trams made the vertical accumulation rapid fire.  The Snow guns were working hard all day offering a nice transition between new fresh and Gun Powder.  The quite cold temps. made the man made consistent and velvety as you passed each zone, however, there was a bit of crustulation after each band of buff, so a solid directional choice was recommended when exiting the buff areas..  The off trail lines continue to get increasingly worked, making me have to abandon a couple lines I have had a hand in defining these last 2 weeks.   Tomorrow, look for a fresh mow wall to wall, the morning Trams to provide the best hard driving fun of the day, and another day of Sunny indulgence.  Not much has changed, but that last little bit of freshness did not disappoint, despite the small accumulation.  Be there for the morning festivities, or wait for the Sun to get higher in the sky for better visibility.   Ciao!!!

The way the weather people were talking yesterday, today was supposed to been overcast ahead of this next brush by that is moving in, but it turned out to be a rather sunny and pleasant day.   I was able to drive with no hat and just sun glasses all day long.  The morning session was lightly attended, making the runs uncrowded and buffed.  I took advantage of the great combination to pull out the Wings to get some fast laps in before the folks started to arrive.  Back to back Trams were going off without a schedule, so the vertical added up quickly.  The off trail is becoming pretty worked, with some very tight interference patterns built up in the high traffic areas.  The traverse underneath North Chute, coming across from the Peruvian Chair, is very difficult to negotiate lately, requiring great care to move through it.  The snow on the other side of this feature is very nice, but that bit of traverse is sketchy, so know that going in.  Perhaps, check it out from the Tram to get a better look, you will see.  The snow pack is getting firm again after the last installment, with some adjacent lines to the main runs offering some fun variation, which gets you off the Groomers and back into a more natural feel.   Tomorrow, look for what ever the weather  brings to help with the firmness issue, though an over cast day could put a bit of a harsh on the visibility.  For some reason the light is remaining flat for much longer in the morning, and is still an issue as you move from Sun to shade, so develop a sense of the line to make the transitions  a bit less like guess work while you wait for your eyes to adjust.  Fun is still available during this low snow period, but you will have to bring your stoke factor to get the most out of the day.  See you there for the First Boat.   Ciao!!!

The high pressure is back, and with it all the elements of the inversion begin to affect the hill.  The morning Groomers were really fun, though the low angle Sun still is not helping the flat tight situation for the fist few Trams.  The off trail is becoming better and better as the traffic works it.  I have found numerous lines that have escaped the notice of the majority.  Lower West Baldy was open today, looking like there were some consistent sections, though the low snow makes it an adventure.  The hill is becoming firmer as we move along, though the tenderizing efforts by the Cat Crew really help that entire morning session.  In the afternoon, look to the side lines to still be holding some softness, where you can scrub some speed or just lay down some smooth carves.  The Patrol is placing some plastic padding in the upper Rat’s Nest entrance.  I got a look at the material and it is like the stuff they use at the Summer Park in PC.  Any kind of

HOME PLANET

mitigation in that area will be a tremendous help, as it is really gnarly now.  Tomorrow, look for the morning session to be fast and furious, with back to back Trams to be keeping the pace brisk and demanding.   Regulator will be a bit crispy, as today got quite soft and mushy.   Perhaps scope out some of the peripheral lines from the lifts before heading out there for the best chance of nailing the goods.  The snow pack has consolidated quite a bit, so punching through is becoming less of a concern, though there are still hazards.  The day may be a bit grey, as they are predicting a brush by. See you of the first Tram.   Ciao!!

It was cold, blowing, with snow in your face  getting off the top for first Tram.  The new fresh Essence was a welcome addition, and drew the requisite response from the faithful, who have been waiting patiently for so long.  The Groomers were especially creamy, with finally something to put an edge into without wincing. The quality was very nice and resisted slabbing from the heavy wind.   The very cold temps of the morning, made the Gun Powder quite delightful and luxurious, though short lived after leaving the zone.  The hazards are covered now, and I was hearing about some altercations with the substrate that exists over at Gad 2, but you had to know going into that area, after the traffic had worked it, that it was going to be problematic.  I was asked if I had any P Tex to repair a nasty core shot, but I pulled all that from my locker quite some time ago.  As the morning wore on, the old layer  began to crop up again, but an eye for the grey white contrast indicated the variations, making them easy spot.  The wind was very strong, so there might be some transported snow overnight for the morning crew, though most of it seemed to be headed to Mineral Basin. Tomorrow, look for the Groomers to

SUN RISE

provide some sumptuous hydrovelvet for the first time in a while.  Off trail will still be offering the same go to lines as before, but variations from the known line will be a toss up.  There has been a buzz about the Rasta Chutes, but my excursions over in that direction revealed some serious ledging from the rotten snow pack, making any real fall line attack dubious and difficult.  Check all that stuff out from below before you commit to the upper section.  I am glad I did, and this new snow will not go too far in repairing it.  I am just saying.   Dress for cold as Winter is back after the Spring like temps we have had.   See you there for fun in the AM!!   Here is  a great shot taken by my good friend Mike on the early Tram.  Start of a great day!!   Peace Out!!!

There was over an inch of freshness on the Trailer this morning, signaling the long over due installment of Essence that we have been needing for so long.  This seems to be just a small freshening before we get another High Pressure, but it is still snowing and the forecast is for a bit more during the day.  The picture of the day from Snowbird’s Web site looks promising, perhaps indicating a bit more than the 7” on the official report.  Any kind of addition to the snow pack will help alleviate the firmness that has plagued us for such a long time.  This much snow will also cover all the previously obvious hazards that had been exposed by the traffic working the off trail, and the freshness will give the Cat Crew a bit of material to blend into the mat.  Be sure to remember all the off trail lines you have been working to avoid the snags.   The tenderizing efforts were greatly appreciated these past days, and the addition of the new snow will go a long way to making the traction better after having to float the icy sections, though there will still be tiles to keep in mind, as it will take a fair bit more coverage to bury the icy spots.  When the conditions get variable as they will be now, a longer averaged turn will help smooth out the variations.  Be sure to keep an eye out for the fast movers, who will be coming out to get the new snow.  You won’t be able to hear them as before, so keep an eye up hill.  Tomorrow, look for clearing, better visibility, new snow to work, and a full increment of increased fun.   I will be on first Tram in the AM., so see you there!!! IBBY!!

Today was another beauty from start to finish.  Clear skies, roomy Trams, and some smooth runways, provided back to back fun for the attendees.  Regulator was predictably crispy for the morning session, but that did not keep the fast movers from ripping it.  I have been holding a tight fall approach to deal with those slick conditions, giving the middle section lots of room.  I have been looking off trail as the consolidation makes the off trail at least explorable in a cautious mode.  There are various lines to work which have escaped the crowd, so look closely and find some of those hidden gems.  Tomorrow, look for the hill to maintain the basic character, only influenced by the fast moving storm that is predicted to move through, leaving up to 6 inches in it’s wake.  That can’t be a bad thing, but it will make the visibility a definite factor, so remember your lines from this week, and stay close to avoid the hidden surprises.  Big Emma continues to be quite slick down the middle, but the left hand side seems to hold up the soft snow all day, so look there to keep the turns going without having to smear the glaze.  I will be taking tomorrow off, so work the hill for me and I will see you Sunday!!  Ciao!!