The Coalpit

The Utah Transplants have made it to the Coalpit Headwall - and they can't stop going back!

We've been trying to ski the Coalpit Headwall for three years!

http://utahtransplants.blogspot.com/2014/03/getting-to-coalpit-headwall-is-tough.html

We failed twice to reach the head wall. Mostly because  2/3 of our group is from locations that don't have mountains or snow (Virginia and Texas). We eventually became moderately efficient at moving around on snow - and actually made it to the head wall, only to spend hours in the <10 foot visibility.

We've decided on the Bell's Canyon approach after our numerous attempts. While not direct @ 6 miles and 5800' - it's non-technical, so the only thing that can stop you is yourself. Which almost happened on this attempt - skinning w/ one powder basket is twice as hard.

The second best approach from a effort stand point is Coalpit direct. The downside to this approach is the avalanche exposure. It exists from all aspects at all times.

Brian skis out the apron. We were able to ski the middle line and the narrower gully lookers right. The Coalpit exit has extreme avalanche exposure from the sides of the gully - be very wary of making a late spring exit in this lower area. Name of the game is to start early - because the lower 500' before the waterfall is a dangerous place with warming snow. A good refreeze is key too - in order to bridge the creek all the way to the waterfall.

Brian nears the Coalpit from upper Bell's Canyon.

Usually in early May we have found snow and switched to skins at the upper Bell's waterfall.

This hand line seemed safer a week earlier w/ Cole. Much snow melted between then and our next trip. This is a much delayed post - from our early May exploits. Happy ski season. See you next year.

Green knoll in RMNP

My father-inlaw, Dave and I took the morning and banged out a quick tour at the edge of Rocky Mountain national park. I felt like this was a pretty scenic tour - one of the prettiest I've ever experienced. Too bad my phone's screen went into "Thou shall not pass" mode and completely blacked me out. Most photo credits go to dave on this one.

The view of the trip as seen from trail ridge road.

Me, Brian, at the top.

I'm digging a snowpit, and evaluating the pack as "pretty stable" but deviating if any slide steps down into the interior layers.

Dave, fiddling with his phone as we gain elevation over the Colorado River meadow.

Panorama. 

Here I am.

A view from the top of the Green Knoll.

Dave, sporting eagles wings.

Strava capture.

Mount Nebo Wasatch High Point

Mount Nebo is the highest peak in the Wasatch at 11928'.

Above is a pano of Pole Line basin seen from the north. The couloirs on the left, "Champagne" and "Northwest" are the popular ski runs. 

Unfortunately the great snow conditions were negated by very limited visibility and new snow instability. Instead of skiing the peak we were relegated to the lower basin.

Above is a shot of Brian on the long bush"schwack' to the car. No one said it was easy.

Not wanting the season to end, I was able to come back the next week to a different scene with friends Keith and Matt. After a week of high pressure and 80* valley temps the winter wonderland was a thing of the past. Above is a shot of the peak from the 4 x 4 road.



With better knowledge of the lay of the land we were able to make good time to the lower basin in our tennis shoes. We then switched to skins until finally boot pack in the lower NW couloir.



Matt topping out on the NW Couloir.



On top there was another 200 ft of talus fields to the summit, where we lounged and took in the views. I scoped out the entrance to the "Champagne" on the opposite summit ridge. It was mostly void of snow.

Looking South on the summit.

Looking North on the summit.

Back at the NW couloir we took what is likely the last run of our season. 

It was 80* in Mona when we finished. Here is a parting shot of the mountain.

Back in SLC - Dani, Caitlin, and I packed up for a quick overnight in Emigration Canyon.

Secluded hiking and camping minutes from downtown SLC.

Room of Doom

The team (-) Cole went out for a early Saturday morning ski in the "Room of Doom". Cole was in St. George racing single speeds. He finished 1st place in the single speed division on the JEM area trails riding 80.1 miles in 5h 53m.

Brian topping out on the ridge and still doing incredibly well on his knee recovery.

(Above) "Room of Doom" - what a cool name. The ramp that bootlegs lookers right in the left photo upper left corner was our descent.

Views from the top.

Our tracks seen from below.

The snow was mash potatoes on the way out after the first day of warming since the midweek storm. A quick 0.5 mile hike in ski boots back to the road and across the creek.

The Return to Ski Touring on a Healing Knee.

Griping and Ripping!

Today was my first day back skiing after my accident and surgeries. The loop above, although fun to look at once, I admit is a little nauseating on repeat. Also, I want to make it clear that the pictures above were not taken today.

I posted the looping images above because of what they represent. They represent a goal: Where I want to be back to. Its happening. I can feel it. Its still a long road to recovery, but it is now attainable. Even just 2 months ago, I was in an emotional quagmire regarding my leg and knee. I think that I've turned a corner in the last few weeks and its a very positive thing for me.

Cole Anderson in Rare Form, cutting up Lower Pink Pine

We took a little tour up into pink pine and did 3 laps up off the ridge. For anyone who wants to know what area we are skiing in and is unfamiliar, you can look here in this neat little google earth utility.
http://wbskiing.com/desktop.asp

Mr Bainsmith, getting excited about the impending battle ski.

Today was a very relaxed ski day and I had an enormous amount of fun just getting out with the Transplants and getting in a couple of turns. The snow was variable and slightly sun affected in places.

The first run I took quite gingerly. I was concerned that my knee would just buckle under me or I wouldn't be able to exert the control I expected into the ski. Low and behold, the knee stayed solid, but I did not have the command that I normally have over the skis.

I spent the rest of they day skiing quite conservatively and only had a single minor scare when I had a mild fall and my knee bent further than I am currently able to bend it without pain. In retrospect its not such a bad thing. I'm supposed to be bending it for therapy, but I usually quit when the pain comes on strong. This particular fall, although quite concerning, probably helps my long term flexibility.

We also enjoyed the views across white pine at the Tri-Chutes. Witness the majesty of the Tri-Chutes in the photo below.

Tri-Chutes: The Gem of White Pine Powder-Skiing.

I'm looking forward to getting more turns in this year. I've also made a personal resolution to post more blog entries on the UT-XPLANTS blog. Rather than feeling like a guest collumnist (which I hear can increase reading!) I'm going to make a regular effort at it.