Willow Heights - 1.4.2015

I decided to start of the new year right, and get out on the splitboard for another tour. I have hiked Willow Heights in the summer up to Dry Lake, but I have always wanted to hit the west facing bowls in the winter. We rounded everyone up and headed to the trail head. It was a greasy skin track in the first section, as the traffic and south sun had pretty much cooked it. We made it up to the lake, and decided to cut up east from the lake. We followed a skin track through the woods and connected with the summer trail in the upper section of the drainage. We then began to ascend the steep section of the west bowl. I have to admit, I kind of got my rear end handed to me on this section. We finally topped out at about 9400 feet. We decided to dig a pit and test the stability as there had been two days in a row with a wind event. We did not yield results that would steer us away from the angle we were on. We then switched into riding mode, and dropped in. The upper section held some really soft and creamy turns. The lower section had some wind and sun damage, but was still fun to ride. The ride home out the summer trail was interesting to say the least. A great day in the mountains with friends. One I will not soon forget! Pray 4 Snow!

Willow Heights Tour 1.4.2015 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

2014 Retrospective- Christian Paul Photography

What an amazing year of adventure! I feel lucky to have spent so much time in the mountains of Utah. From snowboarding, splitboarding, and hiking the amazing Wasatch, to backpacking and hiking the Dixie National Forest and the High Uintas Wilderness. There was never a shortage of good times to be had in the high terrain here. Along with the classic places I always visit, we explored some new areas which are now on the favorites list that I am sure to return to. My photography was featured by several companies, and I am honored that a few wonderful people found a place for my images in their homes. The final tally for me out there this year was 71 days snowboarding, 60 days hiking and backpacking, 26 nights camping in the backcountry. I did 190 miles by foot this past year, which I loved every step which I took in our wilderness. This video represents a complete view of my year in the mountains for 2014. I would not change a thing, and the memories of the adventures I had will last a lifetime. Enjoy this video I have put together. Happy New Year to you all! What will 2015 bring? Stay tuned......

2014 Retrospective from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Greens Basin- 12.27.2014

We finally got enough snow to bury those trees and stumps and rocks out there. The original plan was to tour up Mill D, but because of the high volume of traffic heading up that trail, we decided to go to Greens Basin instead. The climb up was a frosty one, and we made our way up the shoulder of the unnamed peak up there that overlooks the basin in just a couple of hours. We found a great spot once we made it to the top and broke everything out from touring to riding mode. A little bit of a break on the top, then we strapped up and dropped in. The snow was so good, and the riding was stable and a lot of fun. We made it to the meadow, and decided to put our boards in touring mode and skate ski to the summer trail for a luge ride home. It was a great first day out touring, I hope to have many more to come. Enjoy the short video I made from today and pray for snow!

Greens Basin Tour 12.27.2014 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Takin' A Tram Lap- Snowbird- 11.26.2014

The Tram finally opened, and what a treat it was. Cold chalky snow that was super to carve in. It was nice to be dropping in from the peak. The holiday traffic is out, but it did not seem to be that terrible since the flow was going and the stoke level was high for sunshine and great conditions. Enjoy the edit below and Pray 4 Snow!

Takin' A Tram Lap 11.26.2014 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

First Day @ The Bird 14/15- Snowbird, Utah 11.24.2014

I finally got out on my home mountain for the season. We had a once in every two to five year storm come in and blanket the Wasatch with 30-40 inches of snow. It snowed so hard Alta could not even open on Sunday. I figured Monday should be pretty dead. Nope, full line at Gadzoom when they sent the first chair up the hill. No matter, there was good snow to be had, and pretty much most of the traffic was staying on trail. I am still just blown away that I had my powder board out this early in the season. Lower Harpers Ferry was giving up knee deep thick creamy turns. And the on trail was fast and chargeable. It was a fun day up there, and nice to be back in Little Cottonwood Canyon. I made a little edit, and now I got my aspect corrected on my videos. More adventures from the LCC to come!

First Day At The Bird For The 14/15 Season 11.24.2014 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Opening Day @ Solitude Mountain Resort- 11.21.2014

Well it is finally here! I hit opening day at Solitude for the 14/15 season. It was light traffic, and a great mix of natural and man made snow. They had three lifts running, Apex, Moonbeam, and the beginner terrain on Link. The terrain open was really fun to ride. I spent most of the day up there slashing turns and just getting all the muscle memory back for snowboarding. Bluebird skies, mild temps, and and fun all around. It was a great day up there, and it was so nice to be snowboarding again. Enjoy the quick edit below, and Pray 4 Snow! This party has begun! Get your snowdances on!

Opening Day- 14/15 Solitude 11.21.2014 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Jewel/Cutthroat Lakes, Uinta Mountains- October 2014

I got one more trip into the high terrain this year. Myself and my friend Chris went in on a brisk Friday, hiking a deserted trail into Ruth Lake. The meadows are in full fall phase, and the wind was chilly. We made a quick hike into Ruth Lake, then moved up the ridge over to Hayden Lake. We then followed the outlet down past a very nice pond, and descended to Jewel Lake. We decided to camp here, as we knew weather was in the forecast for Sunday. We set up shop, and then just decided to take it all in. This is the latest I have ever backpacked in the Uintas. Evening came, and dinner and some extra layers were in order. We got a fire going, and made dinner, and enjoyed the crystal clear skies. I got the camera out and got some really nice shots that night of the peak and the lake. Soon, we felt the cold that the Uintas this time of year are known for. So off to the sleeping bags and warmth we went. Morning came and both of us slept in.

After making breakfast and having some coffee, we packed it up to head out fishing at Jewel and Cutthroat lakes. We fished Jewel for a bit, and I have a few bites. After a while we wanted to hike up to Cutthroat Lake. We made the meadow crossing and climbed up to the lake. It was deserted, something I have rarely witnessed. We fished for quite a while up there, me landing a very nice Tiger. Chris had luck too. Eventually, we decided that getting a warm fire set was important as we were unsure of the weather we would get. Back at camp, with everything in order for the evening, we just set in to watching the sunset out the back of the meadow behind our camp. Evening came, and so did a crazy set of clouds that just seemed to keep building. We headed for bed around midnight, and I fell right to sleep. But not for long, about 3:30 AM, I was awoke by the sound of snow falling on my tent, and thunder and lighting going off all around us. Thundersnow!

It was kind of awesome to experience, and my hiking watch said it was 39 degrees. I figured at that temperature it was not going to accumulate that much, so I rolled over and fell back to sleep. I woke again around 7:30 AM, and it was much colder this time. The temp read 30 degrees. I peeked out of my tent and everything had a new paint job. Eventually we decided that packing it up and making our way out was the best thing to do. I had anticipated that if we did get snow, it would be wet, so I packed layers, including rain pants, and a Goretex jacket. I also packed in a neck gaiter, and some winter gloves. After getting locked and loaded, we made our way out of Jewel Lake. There is a small boulder field that you have to ascend, and it is not something to be taken lightly with wet boots, and a heavy pack on. The dogs led us up the best path out of there, and soon we were on trail again. We were walking in 3-4" of snow all the way up to Hayden Lake. Then over the ridge and down to Ruth Lake. We took some photos at Ruth, and just enjoyed the instant winter wonder land we were walking in.

Some of the flat sections were like breaking trail, so I admit I slashed a few turns in the hiking boots because the snow was powder. We made our way out to Highway 150, and found the road and lot snow packed. This was my last trip into the high terrain of the Uinta Mountains this year. It has been an awesome summer in this wilderness. One I will not soon forget. Some fall hiking and then this party is going to switch to snow dances.