Christian Paul Photography 2018 Retrospective

Another year of adventures comes to a close. 2018 was amazing in so many ways. The Wasatch started the year with one of the lowest snow total winters on record. With that, and having a shoulder injury December through early February, my days on the splitboard were far fewer than I would have liked. But the bright spot of a low snow winter is that hiking and backpacking began much earlier this year! I had some amazing days on trail, nights by the fire, red hot fly fishing, and adventures with friends old and new. From the first weekend in June to the last weekend in September, I made the Uintas my home away from home. I visited new areas I had not previously been, and returned to the usual haunts that I just cannot get enough of. 2018 was a year of growth for me. I did the longest solo backpacking trip in the Uintas that I have ever done, which was to Ryder Lake. 19.7 miles round trip. Really taught me a lot about myself. Redeemed Hell Hole Lake which turned me around in 2017. Not this time, and it was a wonderful trip. Allsop Lake was finally knocked off the bucket list in August. I even got a trip to the Oregon Coast for my Birthday. Fall came and went rather quickly then winter returned. It's been a much better start this season than last, and the snow has been good every time I have gone out. I am grateful for all the time I have been able to, with good health and positive mind, spend in the mountains which I love so much! I even got a trip to the Oregon Coast for my Birthday. Grab a snack or your favorite beverage and enjoy the video below! Thank for stopping by to those of you who have visited my blog this year! Happy Trails for the New Year!

Promise Land, Big Cottonwood Canyon- December 2018

I decided to start my holiday out with a walk on the splitboard and getting some powder turns. I took a walk up the Promise Land in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Christmas Eve. There was about 3-4" of fresh that an overnight storm put down. I made the quick walk up the road and up into the Promise Land. I was breaking trail most of the way up. It was nice to be walking in the trees and the snow was really nice! I eventually topped out and made the switch over. The snow pack was a very stable and all tests showed I was in a good spot. I made the drop and had fun making turns in the glades and the trees on the way out. It was a great day in the mountains and so much fun to be out again on the splitboard. Its been a good start to the season! Happy Holidays everyone!

Christmas Eve in the Promise Land from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

Promise Land Tour 12.24.2018 from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

Scotts/Guardsman Area, Big Cottonwood Canyon- December 2018

Its been a a week or so since I have been out. In that time, we have had a couple of small storms to keep things fresh. The gap in storms has let the inversions build and that is not a healthy situation. I was determined to get out and go for a walk on the splitboard, get some fresh air, and do some poking around to see the depth in the snow pack and how things are looking. Generally West to South is stable, NW to East still has a persistent weak layer that has everyone lacking expert avalanche skills staying off those aspects. There is a lot of facets that this snow is sitting on. I made my way up Big Cottonwood, found a spot at the Guardsman gate. I put on the boots, sunscreen because it was hot and felt like a day at the beach, and pack and made my way up the track. Once you were out of the sun you could feel the cold temps. Once I made the first curve it was in the sun and very warm. I do not usually tour in December, in a trucker hat and no gloves.

I made my way to the last corner and up the Scott's Pass trail. Big temperature difference here once you went into the shade of the pines. I went up to the first meadow and made my way to the base of the slope. The top surface in the shady trees was supportable pow. I like this area because you can do some snow science, and there are not too many people who stick around, they just climb through to the PC ridge line. The sun facing aspects had a zipper crust on them that finally softened on the decent to the Jeep. I exited west out of Scott's and actually got some fun turns. I had to walk from the corner to the road and up to the Jeep, about a 1/4 mile walk, which was warm to say the least. Looking at all the south facing aspects, they have melted and their snow pack is thin in areas. North Facing or shady tree areas are still holding their whole snow pack but have not bridged. Another great Sunday in the Wasatch. Keeping the legs fresh until we get another storm. We just need one more big one and the terrain is really going to open up. Pray 4 Snow!

Scotts Guardsman 12.16.2018 from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

December Begins! Millicent Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 12.2.2018

December has arrived, and with it a lot of snow in the mountains. We have had nearly 50 inches of snow in spots in the Wasatch since last Thursday. Sundays seem to be the day so far this season. I made my way up the snowy canyon road in the Jeep and arrived at the base of Millicent. Quickly put on the boots and headed up. The first 100 yards there was a snow gun running, skins and gun snow are not fun. I pushed past the second one almost slipping into a ditch, but managed to keep my edge hold and proceeded up to the next switchback. There was no skin track at this point so I made one and it was weird that the snow sounded like it was collapsing. I know it was that layer of gun snow breaking under the new snow from my weight, but if you need a refresher on what snow sounds like when it is collapsing this was a good one. It did not avalanche, you could just hear that crust breaking as you put pressure on each board as you climbed. Finally hit the summer road and put in some fast tracks uphill.

December Begins! 12.2.2018 from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

I eventually topped out at Twin Lakes, switched over the gear and hung out for a bit. I like to enjoy these moments. Winter is beautiful in the mountains! After taking in the view with the falling snow I dropped in. The snow off trail was right side up, but pretty thick if you were making turns. I really missed making turns in deep snow like this. It makes you feel like you are flying. I had good snow all the way to the Jeep. Even got frosted by a snow gun at the bottom of the Milly chair. This has been a great start to the season! Much better than last year. I hope it keeps snowing so the terrain opens up so we can get out and explore! Enjoy the pics and videos from the climb and the descent. Let the good times roll!

Millicent Tour 12.2.2018 from CPPhoto on Vimeo.