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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:25 pm
by CatPatrol
My second year out at Snowbird for the National Ski Patrol conference. Constantly conflicted between taking the wonderful clinics offered and skiing the whole time. Arrived at 11am at SLC to find that the canyon was closed. Canyon Transport was on top of it and the minute LCC was open we were moving. Originally Snowbird was reporting 8" new, then 14". Got to the Cliff Lodge around 12:30 and was on the tram at 1:20PM (I hustled out there:)). Got to the summit both Mineral Basin and Road to Provo were closed so decided after a fantastic first run I'd do laps off of Little Cloud Chair. So many possibilities off this lift.







Waiting for tomorrow





Looking towards Gad Chutes





Wednesday was Bluebird, cold in the morning but hightailed it to Mineral Basin. Sorry no pics until my third run, had to use up all the untracked:)



Looking up from the Chickadee lift off the Cliffs, 35 degrees and bluebird, ooh yea!





Mineral after my 3rd run headed to Road to Provo





10am pretty much skied out









Off to Gad Valley





After 3 laps here going further out, the locals said head to the Cirque traverse. Was getting kind of concerned because I saw no one. Went to the end and had to decide north or northwest. Went northwest down Wilbere Chute my only mistake of the day. 14" of chewed up crust. Towards the bottom saw some locals in Wilbere Bowl grumbling as well so didn't make me feel so bad. Three to four turns at a time, sweating profusely I worked my way down.

From the top





After 15 minutes still more to go :(





Went back to the Cirque Traverse for the final run of the day and headed down a chute between upper and middle cirque. I love skiing the steeps and even though on other aspects the snow had softened considerably, this area had still held some nice creamy powder conditions.

Looking up at Great Scott with the wind blowing





My route down





Looking back up, I just couldn't stop smiling, a fun steep chute





In the woods of Mach Schnell finding some great snow





Looking up to where I've been


Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:26 pm
by CatPatrol
Last run of the day. Thursday was an off day as I was taking Mountain Rescue. Really hat to miss a ski day but this course rocked. First off there were a bunch of premier winter rescue instructors teaching us also I learned a lot. The morning was compass and map instruction.



Ed our instructor for a group of four of us laughing because we are asking him to help. The clinic definitely made you use your own judgement and thinking,.





At 7pm we assembled for a mock rescue scenario





Getting GPS ready





Petzl sponsored the clinic and offered headlamps to the winning team. They also provided headlamps to demo for everyone. They are very very nice.









And our search and rescue, taking info and then climbing to find our lost injured skier.

Our pep talk















Last day skiing was cold and cloudy in the AM. had to wait until late afternoon to get the goods. Heading up the tram around 10am. Cold and grey.





At the top while waiting for friends to com,e watched a group of 8 ski this chute. Didn't see a heli but thinking this was two groups from Powderbirds. Anyone have a name for the chute?





Another angle, it's steep!





Lunch down at the tram base and you can't come to Snowbird not see the Zebrawoman and Leopardman









After lunch the sun started peaking through. Hooked up with some friends and skied some steeps in Mineral Bowl. These pics are the chute down lower High Stakes. Patrol was about 5 minutes behind us with sweep.









Sarah riding down





Followed by Chris





Until next year









Final run of the season down Road to Provo in Gad Valley. What a way to finish an epic season (although still looking at some summer possibilities;))

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:32 pm
by SKISC
Nice pics. Looks like good conditions were had.

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:46 pm
by CatPatrol
Last run of the day. Thursday was an off day as I was taking Mountain Rescue. Really hat to miss a ski day but this course rocked. First off there were a bunch of premier winter rescue instructors teaching us also I learned a lot. The morning was compass and map instruction.



Ed our instructor for a group of four of us laughing because we are asking him to help. The clinic definitely made you use your own judgement and thinking,.





At 7pm we assembled for a mock rescue scenario





Getting GPS ready





Petzl sponsored the clinic and offered headlamps to the winning team. They also provided headlamps to demo for everyone. They are very very nice.









And our search and rescue, taking info and then climbing to find our lost injured skier.

Our pep talk















Last day skiing was cold and cloudy in the AM. had to wait until late afternoon to get the goods. Heading up the tram around 10am. Cold and grey.





At the top while waiting for friends to come watched a group of 8 ski this chute. Didn't see a heli but thinking this was two groups from Powderbirds. Anyone have a name for the chute?





Another angle, it's steep!





Lunch down at the tram base and you can't come to Snowbird without seeing Zebrawoman and Leopardman









After lunch the sun started peaking through. Hooked up with some friends and his some steeps in Mineral Bowl. These pics are down high stakes. Patrol was about 5 minutes behind us with sweep.









Sarah riding down





Followed by Chris





Until next year









Final run of the season down Road to Provo in Gad Valley. What a way to finish an epic season (although still looking at some summer possibilities;))

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:57 pm
by SteepNdeep
Noice!!! looks fun

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 12:10 am
by davidski
My jealousy is tempered by vicarious enjoyment



Great trip -- wish I were there

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 12:23 am
by skiing rules
that cute is called Pipeline

Great pics looks like you had some good snow

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 12:24 am
by pagamony
oh thanks, just when i thought i was over it. so now you're ready for back country rescue in NC - hey, we might get another epic year. nice looking trip.

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 7:52 am
by LakesideChutes
The Dream Continues+, hope to ride your coat tales next year at PEC:)

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 3:15 pm
by Zeus
@MBlacky1051 215499 wrote:Dave/Zeus doesn't this look oh so familiar?



The promised land. Good times- I'm kicking myself for not heading out there this season.









Strong work, CatPatrol. Teh late-season Un-Suck.