Alta, UT 4/8/12

[Admin]

Day 59: Happy Easter!

You know it's a holiday when Bobby Danger gets some "tail." (also in photo: AmyZ, Telejon)

I awoke to find this on my couch this morning, out cold:

At least Jake didn't chew through any more of my gear today. Notice how his pose closely resembles that of Telejon in the photo above? Coincidence? I think not!

Bobby Danger, AmyZ and I were joined this morning by AndreB, founder of the now nearly infamous corn snow thread, and his wife Julie visiting from Buffalo. It was a gorgeous, cloudless Easter morning and warming fast.

Following a few warm-up cruisers it seemed that Backside might be ready, so on our fourth run we cruised over to Germania Pass to pick up Telejon for a hike up to High Notch. Bobby Danger was on his own agenda and opted to hike Baldy to go check out Little Chute. He took my camera along.

Looking down on Germania Pass from the Baldy hike (photo: Bobby Danger)

With all of the talk about Pipeline at Snowbird lately, here's a great shot of it from Mount Baldy. (photo: Bobby Danger)

Little Chute (Bobby Danger)

A big thank you to ASP. When we saw the gate to High Notch closed I inquired of a passing patroller, who went into the Germania patrol shack to inquire himself before re-emerging and graciously opening the gate for us. As far as snow quality goes, this was the run of the day, at least as far down as the Instructor's Traverse. High Notch proper held amazingly deep, soft, dry untracked and loosely tracked snow. Big smiles all around.

AndreB rejoined Julie for a few cruisers to conserve energy for the afternoon. AmyZ, Telejon and I went into Baldy Brews for a latté and we were rejoined by Bobby Danger who had glowing reports from Little Chute. That cemented it: we were hiking Baldy after lunch.

AndreB on the hike up Baldy

Our destination - the summit of Baldy - is now in sight.

God, I wish that they had let us ski Perla's today! (photo: Bobby Danger)

Admin reaches the Baldy summit (photo: Bobby Danger)

So does AndreB (photo: Bobby Danger)

We lingered around the summit of Baldy for a while to take in the views and enjoy a gorgeous spring day before heading over to Main Chute.

AndreB at the summit of Baldy

The snow in the chute was firm, but very winter-like. Soft chalk would shave off with every turn but you really, really didn't want to biff as self-arresting would've been a challenge, at best.

Bobby Danger launches into Main Chute

AndreB in Main Chute

AndreB in Main Chute, with Bobby Danger looking on

AmyZ drops in

AmyZ in Main Chute

Waiting for us on the apron down below were Skidog, Marc_C, and Marc's friends Mike and Jean. The latter three had done Main themselves a bit earlier in the day.

By now it was 3:00, and time to head home to get ready for Easter dinner, and I now need to get back to the preparations. Hope everyone's had a joyous holiday today.

And nice meeting you today, AndreB and Julie. Hope that you enjoyed the locals tour!

[AndreB]

Thank you very much Admin. Julie and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and I'm really glad you talked me into doing Main chute. I'll post a little report later tomorrow when I have some time. Thank you again, it was a great day.

[Bobby Danger]

HAPPY EASTER !!!!

[rfarren]

That looks stellar!!! The snow just looks so soft.

[kingslug]

Bobby D always picks the "best " spot to jump in...nice shots! the Pipeline one is my new desktop...inspiration for next season...

[Bobby Danger]

nothing better than starting directly into the fall line !!!!!!!!!!! the steeper the better !!!!!!!!

[rfarren]

From the angle of camera it seems like Main Chute turns off right towards the bottom, is that correct? I always thought it was a straight shot down into ballroom.

[Admin]

It's nearly straight with an ever so slight bend to the right.

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[rfarren]

It's nearly straight with an ever so slight bend to the right.

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So if you fall on the skiers right of the chute is it a fast ride down to ballroom or are you going to make friends with some rocks?

[Admin]

You're more or less on the express train to Ballroom.

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[kingslug]

Well we know someone with that experience on a steeper narrower run...

[Marc_C]

Well we know someone with that experience on a steeper narrower run...

You mean the patroler who blew one of her early turns in Little and tumbled the full 900', breaking her pelvis?

I consider all the Baldy chutes as a serious do not fall/DFU zone. While one could conceivably slide down Main all the way to the Ballroom, the chances of tumbling are extremely high, and if you tumble, the chances of doing so cleanly and not hitting one of the walls at high speed are fairly low. If you seriously think you might fall attempting one of the chutes, then it's probably a good idea to not go up there until your ability is ready.

[Tony Crocker]

I consider all the Baldy chutes as a serious do not fall/DFU zone. While one could conceivably slide down Main all the way to the Ballroom, the chances of tumbling are extremely high, and if you tumble, the chances of doing so cleanly and not hitting one of the walls at high speed are fairly low. If you seriously think you might fall attempting one of the chutes, then it's probably a good idea to not go up there until your ability is ready.

+1 There are quite a few runs lift accessible and inbounds at several ski areas that are as steep as Main at the top, but typically 10 turns down they open up and/or mellow out. Main sustains its average 41 degrees (per Google Earth) for a full 700 vertical, so if you fall anywhere you are probably going to end up in Ballroom, possibly bouncing off a few walls on the way down.

[Skrad]

I think the slide for life risk skiing Main Chute is a function of snow surface conditions.

[kingslug]

Well we know someone with that experience on a steeper narrower run...

You mean the patroler who blew one of her early turns in Little and tumbled the full 900', breaking her pelvis?

I consider all the Baldy chutes as a serious do not fall/DFU zone. While one could conceivably slide down Main all the way to the Ballroom, the chances of tumbling are extremely high, and if you tumble, the chances of doing so cleanly and not hitting one of the walls at high speed are fairly low. If you seriously think you might fall attempting one of the chutes, then it's probably a good idea to not go up there until your ability is ready.

Nope..another..might not want to talk about it online though...I liked Main but DID not like Little..way too narrow...