First Tour
On December 11th, Eric and Nelson Abonto (our
good friend's dad) went on a tour into the Wasatch backcountry behind Brighton
Ski Resort. We took the Millicent lift up, and headed towards Twin Lakes to
start our ascent.
Snowfall and winds stopped on the 7th, and no avalanches were reported in the BC for the past 4 days. Avy danger was moderate, with any potential problems on northwest to east facing slopes 9000 feet and higher, and on aspects approaching 35 degrees. The snowpack had been stabilizing, and it was a good day to get out.
This was the first time out for Eric and I, but about the 20th for Nelson! The pic above is of Eric and Nelson making their way up to Twin Lakes Pass (by the telephone poles).
Neslon charging his way up to the pass.
A view of Mt. Superior and Monte Cristo from Twin Lakes Pass. Alta and Snowbird are across the road (the other side of LCC). What a gorgeous day!
getting our gear ready for the first turns down "powder eights." Anticipation is high. We have hiked about an hour at this point, and can't wait to get in some turns.
Nelson is checking out the snow safety for us...he was our ski guide, ski patrol, and inspiration all in one. Thanks dude!!
and it looks great!! Half of figure 8's on powder 8's.
You can see Nelson's tight turns, and mine next to his, as Eric drops in for his line. The turning condition was excellent. Perfect snow, not too heavy, not too light, great visibility...sooo awesome!!!
We decided to do another lap. Our goal is to reach the top of Patsy Marley (the peak in the middle of this pic) and drop into one of the chutes on the east side (that you can't see from here).
Nelson pointing out some terrain feature. He was educating us all day.
The top of Patsy Marley. Phew! We are quite exhausted at this point. We have climbed a total of 2100 vertical feet.
But the reward is sweet!! A view into "Dead Tree Chute."
Nelson dropping in. ALWAYS--one at a time.
Eric is saying "holy shit, this is awesome!!"
Although it doesn't look like it from this pic, I am standing outside of the debris path, should an avalanche strike. Nelson is also perched on a little spine across from me, out of harms way. It is important to try and visualize the path a slide will take, and stay out of its way!
Dead Tree Chute. Actually, Nelson had been pointing out interesting things to us all day, but in this particular instance, I made him pose for us!
Nelson surveying the path home. Twin Lakes and the dam can be seen in the middle of this picture. Our goal is to make it towards the lake, and hike out to the dam. Beyond that is Brighton Ski Resort. An hour or so more, and we will be in the parking lot.
This was a great tour. Total elevation was over 3000 feet, and took ~5 hours.
Can't wait to get out again!
Snowfall and winds stopped on the 7th, and no avalanches were reported in the BC for the past 4 days. Avy danger was moderate, with any potential problems on northwest to east facing slopes 9000 feet and higher, and on aspects approaching 35 degrees. The snowpack had been stabilizing, and it was a good day to get out.
This was the first time out for Eric and I, but about the 20th for Nelson! The pic above is of Eric and Nelson making their way up to Twin Lakes Pass (by the telephone poles).
Neslon charging his way up to the pass.
A view of Mt. Superior and Monte Cristo from Twin Lakes Pass. Alta and Snowbird are across the road (the other side of LCC). What a gorgeous day!
getting our gear ready for the first turns down "powder eights." Anticipation is high. We have hiked about an hour at this point, and can't wait to get in some turns.
Nelson is checking out the snow safety for us...he was our ski guide, ski patrol, and inspiration all in one. Thanks dude!!
and it looks great!! Half of figure 8's on powder 8's.
You can see Nelson's tight turns, and mine next to his, as Eric drops in for his line. The turning condition was excellent. Perfect snow, not too heavy, not too light, great visibility...sooo awesome!!!
We decided to do another lap. Our goal is to reach the top of Patsy Marley (the peak in the middle of this pic) and drop into one of the chutes on the east side (that you can't see from here).
Nelson pointing out some terrain feature. He was educating us all day.
The top of Patsy Marley. Phew! We are quite exhausted at this point. We have climbed a total of 2100 vertical feet.
But the reward is sweet!! A view into "Dead Tree Chute."
Nelson dropping in. ALWAYS--one at a time.
Eric is saying "holy shit, this is awesome!!"
Although it doesn't look like it from this pic, I am standing outside of the debris path, should an avalanche strike. Nelson is also perched on a little spine across from me, out of harms way. It is important to try and visualize the path a slide will take, and stay out of its way!
Dead Tree Chute. Actually, Nelson had been pointing out interesting things to us all day, but in this particular instance, I made him pose for us!
Nelson surveying the path home. Twin Lakes and the dam can be seen in the middle of this picture. Our goal is to make it towards the lake, and hike out to the dam. Beyond that is Brighton Ski Resort. An hour or so more, and we will be in the parking lot.
This was a great tour. Total elevation was over 3000 feet, and took ~5 hours.
Can't wait to get out again!
Posted: Sun - December 11, 2005 at 06:11 PM
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Published On: Jul 15, 2007 11:24 PM
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Published On: Jul 15, 2007 11:24 PM