Pre-Thanksgiving Ski Touring

A major storm system is drilling all of the western mountain states, and we took advantage of it this weekend. A couple feet of snow have already fallen in the Wasatch, and by Wednesday morning, forecasts are predicting about 4 feet of total snow from this storm. Winter is here!

We got out with some friends from the Wasatch Mountain Club both days this weekend. On Saturday, we skinned up through Grizzly Gulch to the Davenport Hill zone, and took a few laps in Silver Fork. On Sunday, avalanche risk was moderately high in spots due to all the new snow and high winds, so we headed to Reynold's Peak and skied several awesome laps off the north facing aspects.

Super-fun weekend overall... made some great powder turns and knocked off about 8700 feet of vertical climbing! The dynafit bindings have already proved to be a great investment, and Andrea bought a pair last night, so she'll be a member of the Dynafit club after Turkey Day.


Skinning into Grizzly Gulch on Saturday... Alta down below... Mt Superior looming above


Andrea dropping into our first run of the day


Our second run, in Silver Fork, is the bowl behind Andrea


Lou and the remnants of some random Wasatch mine


Andrea and Tracy making our final ascent in some brutal wind


Graupel snow


Sunday morning after we got done running... when there is this much snow at 4,000 feet in the valley, you know its going to be a good day in the mountains!


Andrea, Tracy, and Lou skinning the west ridge of Reynold's Peak


Tracy


Andrea


A little video clip that Andrea took of me... feels good to be doing this again!

Here's a link to the rest of the pictures.