Mansfield/Hellbrook Run 3/7 Some Pics

[powderfreak]

Weather was so nice, Dave and I couldn't help but do a run down Hellbrook. I've only done one other down there this winter and we knew it would be tracked, but there are a lot of acres back there...had to be some powder. The amount of traffic on the Chin right now is remarkable. I've been hiking it since January and the last week or two has been one long congo line up the bootpack. These last two storms pushed the tables and had everyone thinking about bigger lines. I'll narrate with pictures.

Upper Hourglass.

Hourglass crux section where it becomes a ski width wide.

Lower portion of Hourglass...hey, guess what? The whole thing is shaped like an hourglass! Great, great terrain, however. Felt like I was out west skiing some steep, narrow rock lined, chalky/wind blown/skier packed chute.

Slab avalanche. Several feet of new snow, lots of wind, and now warmth from the sun created some pockets that were ready to rip. Can't slide too far or bury you, but could take you over some rock bands, through dwarf pines, etc. Wouldn't necessarily be enjoyable.

]

Chin.

Hellbrook.

 

[JimG.]

Almost afraid to ask what you think about the forecast for the next 10 days. So, what do you think?

I can't make it up there this coming weekend anyway, but I've put my plans to come up 3/17-19 on hold pending what happens with the big warmup.

I'm not going to spend a fortune bringing the whole family up and then wind up looking at rotten or flash frozen crap in the woods. I will come up if the woods are skiable.

I'm beginning to feel cursed by this crappy eastern winter and I'm almost at the point where I'm ready to give up on getting any kind of decent powder day.

Be kind with that forecast!

 

[Patrick]

Great pics of Stowe, as always.

Hellbrook, another great place that I heard about but never had the opportunity of skiing.

Almost afraid to ask what you think about the forecast for the next 10 days. So, what do you think?

I can't make it up there this coming weekend anyway, but I've put my plans to come up 3/17-19 on hold pending what happens with the big warmup.
(...)
Be kind with that forecast!

Same as Jim. It's Spring Break in Ontario next week, so I'm planning to be at Smuggs on the 15th and MRG on the 16-17th with my wife and oldest daughter. In the Laurentians with both kids (12-13-14th) prior to that.

I'm just hoping for the best, weather wise. :roll: [-o<

 

[hamdog]

$hite! never been. the chin is where it's at. nice pics! that gem should be limited to the amount of traffic it takes each day, and avi gear should be required. looks like avi terrain to me... some of those pics looked like they were taken on the ridge at Bridger. 8)

i couldn't imagine even watching an east coast free-for-all up there. :shock: :roll:

 

[Spensar]

Same as Jim. It's Spring Break in Ontario next week, so I'm planning to be at Smuggs on the 15th and MRG on the 16-17th with my wife and oldest daughter. In the Laurentians with both kids (12-13-14th) prior to that.

I'm just hoping for the best, weather wise.

No kidding. The kdis and I have been looking forward to the week for ages and I'm just freaking out over the weather forecast. Looks like it will be cooling down later in the week but Monday was going to be our first trip to Tremblant. Don't know if it will be worth it.