Marc_C
Active member
There's been the usual goofiness, so time for the reminder.......
Flagrantly copied from:http://www.epicski.com/a/alta-an-unofficial-guide
About Traversing
1) Traversing Basics
Ballroom, the run named above for intermediate powder beginners, is a great place to experience your first traverse, an important tool in your skiing arsenal and the gateway to more advanced Alta terrain.
Rule number one about traversing is to never ever stop on a traverse line. In most high intermediate to advanced areas, the traverse will be single file. Forcing those behind you stop simply because you want to stop will not yield positive results – trust me. If you want to stop, pulling up above the traverse is preferred, if not always possible. Those stopping below may find it hard to get back on the traverse and may end up skiing an earlier line than expected. If someone is close behind you, try to signal your intention to pull off so you don’t surprise them.
Another thing to recognize about traverses is that they can be bumpy. The bumps are called many things, “whoop-dee-doos” being the kindest and most common name. In places where your speed is a bit higher and/or there are several whoop-dee-doos in a row, it’s important to avoid getting launched into the air. Think of absorbing them with your legs while your upper body remains relatively quiet. Bump skiers and those from Colorado will have no problem with this.
Lastly, if there is room to do so, traverses tend to expand downhill. In other words, extra traverse lines usually develop parallel to and below the original. Creating new traverse lines is really frowned upon, as it spoils the ride of anyone skiing down the fall line at that point. Nevertheless, if you see multiple lines already in place, the lowest are likely to be newer and thus less bumpy. Just make sure it’s high enough to get where you’re going!
2) The Goods, Trials and Tribulations of the High Traverse (Hi-T)
The Hi-T is a right of passage for intermediate skiers who wish to venture into black terrain. It's also an Italian expressway for expert skiers. The Hi-T leads you to the joys of West Rustler, the iconic Alf's High Rustler and the many advanced lines found on the Greeley side.
Here are a few words of advice for the Hi-T virgin.
Don't stop on the traverse line.
Yes, what was noted as the most important thing for traversing in general is especially important on the Hi-T. People use the Hi-T to reach their desired advanced or expert terrain. Some are in a major hurry. Stopping must be done mindfully. Try to let anyone immediately around you know your intentions, then pull above or drift below the track.
Part of the Hi-T spreads out into multiple traverse lines. If you need to stop in this area (to find a friend, work on your goggles, or gape) pull off the established tracks. Make sure that you are visible to oncoming traffic, and that you are easy to avoid. You may hear a grumble here or there, but tough nuggies.
Avoid the Hi-T early on powder mornings unless you know what you’re doing and where you’re going.
The absolute worst time to try the Hi-T for the first time is on a powder morning, especially if visibility is poor. You will not be happy as people who know where they are going (and some who don’t) zoom by you. Etiquette on these mornings is at a low-point, and some people can be downright obnoxious.
There are multiple ways to get to it.
To get to the Hi-T, make an immediate U-turn to your right after getting off the Collins Lift. Straight ahead you will see two entrance gates to the traverse: one that heads a bit up before curving away on the right and a more or less straight ahead one to the left. If you plan to do a little hiking, say to Eddie’s or second or third entry to Greeley, you must take the rightmost entrance. (You’ll have to take the uphill fork when the time comes.) If your plans do not include immediate climbing, both entrances get you to the same place, i.e., to the Hi-T roughly above the Sunspot run. Given that there are ultimately many traverse lines for the central part of the Hi-T, the lower entrance tends to be a better choice.
There is another. If you go left (downhill) immediately before the two aforementioned entrance gates, you will see a gate along the right side of the rope. A sign tells you this is a way into the Hi-T. With the exceptions listed above (if you take the “Hi-Hi,”) the three entrances take you to the multiple track part of the Hi-T. On powder mornings this lowest track is sometimes cut by the dimwitted and ends up too low to connect to the multiple track part. This can lead to extreme sadness, so is better avoided until a bit later in the day.
Rocks can be exposed even late in the season, so be watchful and respond appropriately.
Flagrantly copied from:http://www.epicski.com/a/alta-an-unofficial-guide
About Traversing
1) Traversing Basics
Ballroom, the run named above for intermediate powder beginners, is a great place to experience your first traverse, an important tool in your skiing arsenal and the gateway to more advanced Alta terrain.
Rule number one about traversing is to never ever stop on a traverse line. In most high intermediate to advanced areas, the traverse will be single file. Forcing those behind you stop simply because you want to stop will not yield positive results – trust me. If you want to stop, pulling up above the traverse is preferred, if not always possible. Those stopping below may find it hard to get back on the traverse and may end up skiing an earlier line than expected. If someone is close behind you, try to signal your intention to pull off so you don’t surprise them.
Another thing to recognize about traverses is that they can be bumpy. The bumps are called many things, “whoop-dee-doos” being the kindest and most common name. In places where your speed is a bit higher and/or there are several whoop-dee-doos in a row, it’s important to avoid getting launched into the air. Think of absorbing them with your legs while your upper body remains relatively quiet. Bump skiers and those from Colorado will have no problem with this.
Lastly, if there is room to do so, traverses tend to expand downhill. In other words, extra traverse lines usually develop parallel to and below the original. Creating new traverse lines is really frowned upon, as it spoils the ride of anyone skiing down the fall line at that point. Nevertheless, if you see multiple lines already in place, the lowest are likely to be newer and thus less bumpy. Just make sure it’s high enough to get where you’re going!
2) The Goods, Trials and Tribulations of the High Traverse (Hi-T)
The Hi-T is a right of passage for intermediate skiers who wish to venture into black terrain. It's also an Italian expressway for expert skiers. The Hi-T leads you to the joys of West Rustler, the iconic Alf's High Rustler and the many advanced lines found on the Greeley side.
Here are a few words of advice for the Hi-T virgin.
Don't stop on the traverse line.
Yes, what was noted as the most important thing for traversing in general is especially important on the Hi-T. People use the Hi-T to reach their desired advanced or expert terrain. Some are in a major hurry. Stopping must be done mindfully. Try to let anyone immediately around you know your intentions, then pull above or drift below the track.
Part of the Hi-T spreads out into multiple traverse lines. If you need to stop in this area (to find a friend, work on your goggles, or gape) pull off the established tracks. Make sure that you are visible to oncoming traffic, and that you are easy to avoid. You may hear a grumble here or there, but tough nuggies.
Avoid the Hi-T early on powder mornings unless you know what you’re doing and where you’re going.
The absolute worst time to try the Hi-T for the first time is on a powder morning, especially if visibility is poor. You will not be happy as people who know where they are going (and some who don’t) zoom by you. Etiquette on these mornings is at a low-point, and some people can be downright obnoxious.
There are multiple ways to get to it.
To get to the Hi-T, make an immediate U-turn to your right after getting off the Collins Lift. Straight ahead you will see two entrance gates to the traverse: one that heads a bit up before curving away on the right and a more or less straight ahead one to the left. If you plan to do a little hiking, say to Eddie’s or second or third entry to Greeley, you must take the rightmost entrance. (You’ll have to take the uphill fork when the time comes.) If your plans do not include immediate climbing, both entrances get you to the same place, i.e., to the Hi-T roughly above the Sunspot run. Given that there are ultimately many traverse lines for the central part of the Hi-T, the lower entrance tends to be a better choice.
There is another. If you go left (downhill) immediately before the two aforementioned entrance gates, you will see a gate along the right side of the rope. A sign tells you this is a way into the Hi-T. With the exceptions listed above (if you take the “Hi-Hi,”) the three entrances take you to the multiple track part of the Hi-T. On powder mornings this lowest track is sometimes cut by the dimwitted and ends up too low to connect to the multiple track part. This can lead to extreme sadness, so is better avoided until a bit later in the day.
Rocks can be exposed even late in the season, so be watchful and respond appropriately.
