Finally Snow!

After giving up on winter in favor of riding bikes. Zac Zabawa has come to SLC to remind me that its still only February. Kirsten has a new ski touring set-up and wanted to test it out, so we headed up to the PC ridge line.

We had phenomenal snow and sunshine. The snow totals from the overnight did not do the high elevations justice, it was a full on powder day. 

Our tracks into South Monitor Bowl.

Kirsten topping out on the ridge with the Wasatch in the background.

Icefall

Zac returned to SLC from Vancounver to be part of the President's Weekend festivities in Sun Valley and visit with Kirsten. We also decided that we should do some skiing. With warm temperatures forecast for Thursday, we set our sights on Red Baldy and Icefall.

Looking down Icefall (above) from Zac's perch (below). Cole and I thought about skiing this last winter, but it looks to lack continuous snow when viewed from above.

Zac hanging out on the peak of Red Baldy 10,800 feet above Vancouver, and about 1-year since being on Red Baldy to ski Silver Glance and the Baldy Shoulder during the 2-Day White Pine camping trip last year (back when I was unemployed). 

This is the Icefall. I guess it got its name from the impressive frozen waterfall that cascades down this cliff band. Zac carving, shortly after dropping the cliff band in the far left of the photo (stylish until the backseat landing, but crazy nonetheless)

#Wasatch 

Zac on the way up Red Baldy, our second run of the day in the background. Good to have Zac back in town, and hopefully I can make it up to BC to visit next winter.

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.