February 26th 2006

It started with an idea. The idea was to go for the gem of all gems on Mt. Timpanogus. Our plan, to go for the Cold Fusion couloir. Just thinking about it is a daunting task-9 miles in, 9 miles out, a huge vertical gain, a steep climb up an avalanche chute to an exposed northwest face of the north peak and to be completely exposed to bad weather, if it decides to be so. During the week before, Paul and I checked the weather, discussed the plan over phone calls, read books, checked the maps and loaded our packs. Everything was looking good and we were ready.
On the morning of Sunday, February 26th I drove to meet Paul at his house at the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon. I was excited with the thoughts of getting one of the lines I have always wanted to snowboard. My excitement and a 48oz rockstar energy drink were allowing me to do the opposite of what my body was feeling I should do. See, I hadn't slept since 9am on Saturday and now it is 4am in morning of Sunday. The night before, on Friday, I had gone against better judgment and partied until 5am-good times, bad choice. Then on Saturday, waking up a little hung over, I got breakfast with a friend, worked a full day until 11pm, deejayed a party until 3am and then loaded up the car for the trip. By the time I was pulling into Paul's driveway, my body wanted bed and my mind wanted the cold fusion.
The drive to the trailhead was quicker than I remembered. As we drove through the darkness and into the mountains, Paul and I were definitely stoked for what laid ahead. Once at the trailhead parking area, we loaded up under the starry night and proceeded as our headlamps lit the way... More to come...
For now, check out our pictures of the trip under "the mission:snow" sub-album "mt. timpanogus" Enjoy!

Max

February 22nd 2006

Yeah! The last two days have been epic in the Wasatch...
Monday I took the solo route and headed into the cirque to hit up four separate lines: wolverine westside (tips&tails), eastside (ragtime), PatsyMarley (twin lakes route) and fantasy ridge (north face). Consult The Chuting Gallery by Andrew McLean for pictures and details. A spectacular day with wispy rolling cloud cover, stable snow and clean lines.

On Tuesday, Mikey, Paul and I went to Mt. Raymond for the peak couloirs. The low density snow made for a tricky skin track; slipping and sliding every other step on the steep sections made for slow progress. The sun broke free of the cloud cover for most of the day. By the time we summited, 3.5 hours after we started, the foggy valley cloud bank made it up and over the mountains making the light go flat. We made the best of the definitionless conditions in the couloir. Once in, the turns were effortless on the stable chute. The morning sun affected the lower slope enough to make you concentrate a bit more. The glades out to the canyon road ranged from fast and epic to slight zipper crust the lower elevations. All in all, a great day for us...

Our eyes are on the current weather pattern...Pray for snow...

Max

February 20th 2005

After ten days of a slowly shifting high pressure system, Utah is again getting small rounds of storms from the Northwest and Southwest...

On Tuesday of last week a strong dipping Low swept across Northern Utah and delivered 9-11" in upper cottonwoods. The low also brought cold temps and blustery winds with it. On Saturday night a small Southwesterly storm brought another 12" to the cottonwoods. With an additional 2-4" falling through Sunday. The cold temps and 15-20mph winds have moved snow around but the avy danger is only moderate on many of the aspects.

The calls are out. The boards are by the door. Monday - Wednesday should be beautiful weather...

Operation Delta is on for Monday night...

Max out!

February 5th 2006

Whew, I can't believe its February already. Where did January go? Between my arrival at the beginning of the month, settling into the new house, the Sundance Film Festival 06 and the amazing 2 weeks of snowy conditions in Big Cottonwood-I have a blurry recollection...

Now that it's February, if the start of the month is any indication of what's in store, we are looking good for shooting what we need this month. The team is a bit scattered though, between Ben competing in the Subaru Freeride Nationals, Sarah and her many different obligations with filming this year, James in and out of tree wells between dumps, Rob being M.I.A., Justin getting back into Utah from Central America and Dan working out his schedule between ski instructing-we should have the team together again soon...

As I write this, we are in a solid high pressure system over the state of Utah. This has given us ample time to get out and hit up the big stuff. From fantasy ridge at solitude to mill B in lower little cottonwood, the snow, turns and sunshine has been a welcomed relief from the snowy days and nights...

With work there must be equal amounts of play. Here are some people and place we have experienced in the month past enjoy...
Closing weekend at Sundance 06 with The Brazilian Girls
LastNightsParty @ Sundance 06
The Depot SLC
Subaru Freeride Nationals and Results

More to come, stay tuned...

Max