Southern Wind River Winter Adventures: January 2012

Two Ocean

January 21, 2012

Classic Two Ocean Pow Pow!

Mandy and Chuck make their way up an excellent skin track (someone put on Thursday or Friday).

Click to zoom in. I believe this slide was reported- 16" crown- skier triggered. It's about the 3rd time this little steep has released this year.

G E N E R A L - A V A L A N C H E - A D V I S O R Y- January 21st, 2012:
An avalanche warning remains in effect. The general avalanche hazard is HIGH at all elevations. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Intense snowfall, strong winds and mild temperatures will create unstable conditions. Natural avalanche activity is likely and human triggered avalanches are very likely on steep avalanche prone slopes. Slabs to four feet in depth are possible and could step down to the ground. Wet slab and wet loose avalanches are likely at the lower elevations.

Because the avi danger was high today, we left this run alone. We were pretty cautious on the way up as well. Part way up we tested a steep slope- similar to ones we would ski. It settled and cracked- but didn't slide. A sign that kept in in the trees and on lower angle runs. Generally, Two Ocean is a safe place to go after or during a big dump. It almost always has good snow. No exception today- it was fantastic!

Weehoo!

Looking up and down a ridge run, one of our first for the day.

Mandy likes it.

The Mandy monster rips the pow!

Looking back at some shots.

Mmm. mm. Good!

Chuck sails off sunset. Five runs for the day! Great day!

Radio Tower Bowl Tour

January 15th, 2012

Looking across the way at Breccia Mt.

Been a while since I'd been up here. Last time was when actually climbed/ skied the Radio Tower Couloir and dropped into it. Always wanted to try it from the other side. Unfortunately snow conditions were pretty sketchy- variable wind crusts, slabs etc. Since I was by myself- I took it easy. Mostly sticking to the trees and snooping out good powder-- and routes. Turned out to be as much or more of a tour. Still a good day!

Nice views on the way up.

Looking out across Togwotee Pass at the Tetons.

Nice little shot.

What a view.

Dropping a line neat the top of the Radio Tower bluff.

This was the best I found, and it was good!

After 4 hrs of touring around, I headed back. Can't wait to back into this area when the snow is more stable.

Sublette Pass Tour

January 7th, 2012

Our tour route- click to zoom- red climbing/ green dropping.

Shad skis Apron

Mandy climbs with Pinnacle Butte in the background.

Climbing up the apron (slowly- assessing snow I went). Avi conditions were considerable- particularly for this type of terrain.

Perched on top- looking across the way a the Pinnacle Butte.

Looking down my line (Mandy lookers right, behind the rock).

Wehoo. Snow stayed put- and it was good!

Really very good skiing- buttery soft snow. Still was a bit worried about avis though.

Mandy leads the way!

Nice day!

Heading out- Sublette Mt. in the background (and some good looking prospective ski lines).

When we were headed out, we notice a slab that went a little further down the apron- this is why we only did one run. I felt we pushed it a bit- and got a way with it.

Looking back.

Mandy's video

Grand Targhee Vacation

The Video Summary

"Don't shoot, I surrender!"

Seamus and Shad masacre snowmen at dad's place Christmas Day.

Aunt Hope joins in!

Watch out... she's deadly with Shad's new gun.

The next day on the way to Grand Targhee Shad took Hope and Dave up West Angle for a taste of what backcountry skiing is like.

Hope and Dave skinning up.

Dave's first backcountry turn.

Hope first backcountry powder.

Hope rips up the pow!

Mandy and our first day and run at Grand Fogee (Targhee).

Hope runnin' blind- lovin' it!

Seamus learns to ski- taking a ride up the magic carpet.

Tally takes a few warm up runs.

By the end of the day Tally was showing us all over the kids mountain- leading the way!

Third day up- Dave and I tried the Cat skiing.

Visibility and wind were absolutely ridiculous the first few runs.

Then it cleared up. The snow was hammered already though- a foot with a wind effected crust. Tricky skiing- but the only stuff available really, as all the lifts remained closed at the resort (high wind).