Christina Pass and The Notch

Christina Pass and The Notch: A Tour in the Winds
Southern Wind River Mountains, Shoshone NF
January 30th, 2010

Split's view of Christina Pass

Shad Rides the Winds

The Chuck and Karla Show

Headed up into the Winds again yesterday (Saturday) for an awesome, bluebird day of alpine touring in the peaks above Christina Lake. Karla led us up near Christina Pass where we dropped a great line and then toured over to the Notch. Great to see things filled in like they are already- seems like it took until March last year.

Karla's skin track, leading the up into the peaks.

Chuck took over near the top of the pass, after the skinning got easier.

Karla makes her way up the pass, Christina lake below.

The Prior, ready to drop.

Watching Karla drop.

Karla skis it up!

Shad gets after it.

Like butta!

Yummy!

Looking across the way at Christina Pass on our way up to The Notch.

A closer look reveals our tracks from the previous run.

The Notch

Dropping!

Looking back.

Chuck makes his way up the mountain for another run.
We got six runs (4000 vertical ft total) before it was over.

Like always, the powder got deeper and better lower down the mountain.

The sun begins to set on Christina Pass.

My last run of the day (click to zoom).

Looking back as we make our way back to the sleds.

The end of another classic day in the Winds.

Another Day in the Winds

Another Day in the Winds
Christina Lake Area
January 23rd, 2010

Video Summary

Friday ten inches of new snow showed up on the Deer Park SNOTEL. That pretty much meant we had to go get some. Saturday we saddled up the sleds and headed up into the Winds again. This time there was more snow, alot more snow. The sled ride in was an adventure- Chuck got his sled stuck twice. By the time we reached Christina Lake, it was pretty much a white-out blizzard, leaving the north facing trees our best option for skiing again. There was well over a foot of new snow, and it puked more all day. It really almost was too much to ride given the lower angles on the mountain. Whooweee, was it fun to huck in though! More good stuff!

Chuck and Karla (mostly Karla) break trail.

Too deep for big turns.

Perfect for hucking!

Ride the winds!

Karla Launches.

Poofff!

Conditions and visibility really started to deteoriate in the afternoon.

Given the weather we decided to wrap it after five runs today.

Chuck and Karla, back at the sleds, packin' for the ride home.

A powder grin.

Nothin' beats a barley pop after a good day in the backcountry!

As we were pulling out, things lifted a bit, enough to get a glimpse of the hill we'd been all day.

Chuck demonstrates how to get a powder sled stuck.

It wasn't quite over- never is when you have fifteen miles of deep powder to negotiate, just to get back to the trucks. Always an adventure!

I got mine stuck a few times on the way too. Sure, a guy could stick to the trail and buzz right out... but what's the point in having a powder sled if you do that. The skidoos gotta get their pow too! Even if it did take me over an hour to dig it out as Chuck buzzed back and forth, looking for me. Ha! Like I said- always an adventure!

Powder Day in the Winds

Ride the Winds: Fresh Powder in the Winds
Christina Lake Area, Shoshone NF
January 18th, 2010

Video Summary of the Day's Adventure

Split and skinned- hiking up through the trees, earning more turns.

After two blue bird days in the Winds, I was having a hard time getting motivated to head back up their when the forecast was calling for snow, 50 mph winds and sub zero temps. Chuck motivated me though. Glad he did. Turned out to be a great day!

Chuck and Karla skinning up through the woods.

We pretty much had to stick to the north facing woods. On days like today, you can't see anywhere else, and/or the Wind is howling so hard you can't tell what's happening with the snow- not to much feel you fingers. Ha!

Chuck transitions at the top a nice looking run (you can kind of see the lake below).

Couldn't resist. Seemed like there were hundreds of these.

The snow was good. An inch or two of fresh on top of a more creamier foot or so, on top of maybe 2 feet of depth hoar. Continental snow pack for sure. Pretty typical for the North Woods this time of year. Could use some more snow- glad it's in the air now.

Packin' down the launch on a kicker.

Preparing to launch.

Waahooooo!!!

Nice soft pillow landing.

Oh yea!

After six runs (5000 vertical) Chuck heads back to the machines.

Karla follows.

To give you an idea what the conditions were like, here's photo of Mandy by the sled in almost the same spot just a few days prior...