Saturday, April 29, 2017

Solitude Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 4.29.2017


This week has been incredible to say the least. Storm after storm has pounded the Wasatch putting some spots in the 50" range of new snowfall. I took the morning on Saturday to get up early and get one more day out of this amazing cycle out on the skin track. After arriving at Solitude, I put on the boots and headed on up. I was a bit worried with how warm things were getting that the snow would change. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the snow was holding up despite the direct shots of sun. After a nice walk I dropped in. Really nice powder had fallen yesterday so the surface was so good. A bit of a boot pack up to Apex to get my final run of the day. It was so creamy and good on the way down. No manky snow even at the base. This week was so amazing how much snow fell here in the Cottonwood Canyons. Enjoy the pics and video I put up! More adventures to come!


Solitude Tour 4.29.2017 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Friday, April 28, 2017

Millicent Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 4.27.2017


Winter returned to the Wasatch once more with a huge storm that put down 40" of snow in some spots. I had the fortunate opportunity to get out with my good friend Chris for a morning tour up Millicent. We arrived to what looked to be partly cloudy skies. We got ready and headed on up. The sun was out for a bit as me made the climb on the skin track. Once we reached Twin Lakes Dam, the storm for the day came roaring in on us. Heavy snow fall and howling winds made for a challenging climb to the top of Millicent. Upon reaching the top, we made the change over and got ready for the descent. The snow was a bit wind loaded up top. But a couple of hundred yards off the top and we were in the ultralight powder that Utah is famous for. From top to bottom the ride was sweet! I love splitboarding! This day reminded me much more of conditions in February, not the end of April. Enjoy the video and pics I have shared. More adventures to come!


Millicent Tour- 4.27.2017 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Friday, April 21, 2017

Collins Gulch to Wildcat Ridge- Little Cottonwood Canyon- 4.21.2017



The storms just keep on coming here in the Wasatch. Another overnight storm put down about 9-10" of snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Now that Alta has closed, its game on for touring. I made my way up the canyon and to the Collins Lot. After getting the boots on, I stepped onto the snow and began the climb. The sun peaked out on the way up and made it a very hot on the way up the skin track. Once I hit the mid station the clouds took mercy on me, cooling down the temps back to a tolerable level. I made the final push up to the shoulder of Baldy and made the switch over. The clouds were in and out the whole time. I dropped into some really nice snow right off the top. The ride down was so much fun slashing the creamy goodness. Enjoy the pics and video from today. More adventures to come!


Collins To Wildcat Tour- 4.21.2017 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Peak 10420- Big Cottonwood Canyon- 4.9.2017



Winter returns! After spring had fully sprung, a 16" overnight storm pounded the Wasatch and put things at high tide. We made our way up to the trail head and put it together and headed in on the skins. We got there early enough that there was only one skin track from our starting point in. We made a quick push up the road and turned up the meadow to climb up Peak 10420. This was a really nice long stroll through the pines. At the last section it was kick turn city. 15 switch backs, a steep ascent to the ridge, and we were at the top. The wind had wreaked havoc on the snow at the ridge line, but just below the ridge the snow was in great shape. There were several groups up here but they all seemed to take their own lines as we did not see anyone on the descent. The snow was full on Utah Powder, light and right side up. We made turns through the glades and trees, blowing up cloud and slashing our way through the woods. It had me thinking in some sections "Is this April or January?" Sunday Funday strikes again in the Wasatch. Enjoy the pics and video I have put up to share. More adventures to come!


Peak 10420 4.9.2017 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.