Bells Canyon Trail- May 2014

Memorial Day. A holiday that is based on reflection. One to honor those who have come before us and are no longer with us. I have always felt that honoring our departed was best served having fun in their honor. I hope when it is my time, everyone does the same for me. Me and the ladies had planned to head south for the weekend, but some things came up, so it was going to be a staycation for our family. We spent most of our weekend getting caught up on the house and projects. And being with my family is so much fun, it is kind of a vacation when we can just relax and enjoy each others company. We ultimately decided that an over nighter was in order, and we figured since we live in a very nice wilderness right here in our backyard, why not go and enjoy it! We hiked in Sunday evening, and spent some time at the lower lake, just relaxing, fly fishing, and just enjoying the evening temps. my friend Chris had just hiked up there, so we spent some time fishing and hiking the area before we parted company and we made our way of the Bells Canyon Trail. The evening light was great, and the temps were still very nice. As we were crossing a meadow, a deer came right across the trail, and we watched it forage the bushes for a minute before moving on. A few uphill sections and we crossed the bridge.

We found a nice little spot not far off the beaten path, and we set up the tent and got camp situated. The sky was clear, and relatively no wind at all. The sound of the the running water from the spring runoff was soothing. Kind of drowned out the overactive mind, and brought a sense of feeling relaxed. This is something I have missed since last falls final outing. Of course snacks were in order. Eventually we decided to turn in, and get some much needed rest. The hike out on the main trail was busy on Sunday, as I guess everyone else decided to get out and enjoy the nice weather. The temps were substantially warmer on the jaunt out, and we were all relieved to get to the car for cold drinks. What a very nice way to start off the backpacking season by heading out in the Wasatch. Let the adventures begin!

Splitboarding Albion Basin- 5.9.2014

Since Alta is now closed, and it has been snowing for two days up there, I figured why not go for a walk on the splitboard. Crazy light in the canyon to start off on the skin track. Full hot sun, then instant grauple. It did this several times as I climbed the road, then up the meadow. I got to the bottom of the Sugarloaf lift and heard a crack of thunder. I ran into a nice guy named Paul, who is a forecaster for the Utah Avalanche Center. He was kind enough to snap a pic for me. I think he was thinking what I was thinking, get outside! I climbed for a bit more, then decided with the dark clouds coming in, it was time to head down. It was heavy, wet snow all the way to the car. I got a few soft turns, but mostly had to stay in the track to keep my speed up. I made the right call, as I walked up to my car after finishing my run, huge thunder sounded off over the top of Mt Superior. Then it just started dumping grauple. This was the last day out for the season for me, unless we get some freak storm. I think the wet content in this snow is gonna make a fast melt out with the heat we are expecting in the next week. But you never know. I have had 16" of powder on May 31st before. Either way it has been a great season. Time to get out the backpack and fly rod and camera and head into the wilderness.

Albion Basin Tour 5 9 14 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Mayday Pow- 5.8.2014- Snowbird

Old Man Winter decided to give us a surprise 10" overnight at Snowbird. I connected with my friend Jason for one more day this season with some lift served turns. There was a small crowd to start it off, so the snow was wide open right off the Tram. After about three laps, word had surely gotten out that there was powder in them hills, so the Tram line backed up for a bit. But then Mineral was opened, then things mellowed out. I did two laps back there, then moved it back up front into Peruvian Gulch. Traffic was very light, even to say non-existent would not be a lie. Walk on Trams at that point, and a really nice stash of pow left in Peruvian to slash it up in. I made a lap out Road to Provo when they opened that area. But it had sat till nearly 1 PM, and by that time those aspects had set up quite a bit more than that the cold stuff we were riding in the AM. Still fun, but more of a hero snow consistency and roller balls of death hiding everywhere. I for sure got some unintentional air out there. Nice to finish off the lift served turns with a pow day. Some touring if we get more snow, but this was one of the last days of the season for sure. It has been a good one. It has been a great one this season. Powder, some cold smoke, but a wetter snow pack than in recent memory. I hear the mountains calling me to go backpacking and exploring. I think I will answer that call.

5 8 14 Mayday Pow Snowbird from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Late Season Birdie Pow- 4.28.2014- Snowbird

Some times you get it good, and sometimes you get it really good! I had a pass to Snowbird to use that I have been saving to ride on, and by all accounts I picked the right day to use it. With 14" of snow overnight, it was a powder feast up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The Tram was severely delayed due to the avalanche control that was being done on the mountain. I headed for Wilbere, since it was the only chair running to start the day off. I found some really great snow over there to slash it up in. Wilbere gives you a birds eye view (No pun intended) of the Peruvian Chair and the Tram, so when the festivities kick off over there, you get to see it. Finally after five or six runs, I saw them load the Peruvian chair. I made a mad traverse over there to see what P-Gulch was offering up. So deep up there, and unusually cold for this time of year. It was snowing the whole time, and the conditions were all time. I made my way back to the base to be a Tram dweller to get access to the top. I did a run out Gad Valley with some really great untracked lines. Also hit the Cirque and Gad Chutes to make it a full set up there. I lapped the Peruvian Chair again, when I got word they were going to open Road to Provo. I made haste and got up the Tram and dropped into to zero visibility and wind built whoop-dee-doo's that you could not see. I carefully made my way out to Mark Malu, and dropped off the cat track and started spraying cold smoke. This was by far the deepest and most consistent snow I found on the mountain. After getting my fill, I ran a lap out of Gad Valley one more time, realizing that the lower part of that area was untouched. I did multiple laps over there, spraying cold smoke until about 3 PM when my legs finally gave out. I rode from 9 AM to 3 PM! Huge day up there! It has been a great week touring and to get a Birdie Pow day to top it all off was the icing on the cake for sure. Not sure how many more days I will ride this season. Alta closes this weekend, and that opens up touring in that terrain next week. Frankly, if this was my last day this season, I would not complain. It would be hard to imagine it getting any better than it has been this last week. It has been a great season regardless. Just nice to be on the mountain slashing it up again. Enjoy the short edit from yesterday with the best video I had due to visibility on the mountain being nill at times. Cheers to all!

Late Season Birdie Pow 4 28 14 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Splitboarding Solitude- 4.27.2014

We got another blast of wet cold weather which drenched the valley with much needed rain, and put up 8-12" of snow in the mountains. I connected with my good friend Chris and we headed up to climb the summer road to get some no pressure pow turns. The snow was a mix of windblown grauple, and powder. It made uphill travel a cinch. The climb was great, with the sun peeping out of the clouds, and mini blizzards blasting us in the face all the way up to the ridge. Once we got up top, the sun was playing with shadows on the mountains across the road. It was awesome to watch, and we stayed up there for a bit enjoying the view. We broke it all down and went into snowboard mode, and we dropped the Sunshine Bowl with creamy turns to enjoy. We had a great run all the way to the base, and then enjoyed the sunlight that would occasionally play with the aspects lighting them up. It was awesome to see. Not to many more days like this left, so I for sure enjoyed this one a lot. Enjoy the photos and video in the edit below. Shred ya later!

Solitude Tour 4 27 14 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Splitboarding Brighton- 4.23.2014

We had a huge storm with killer winds drive through Utah yesterday. It caused huge damage in the valley. But it dumped a good 3-4" of fresh up Big Cottonwood Canyon. I threw the split in the car and headed up. It was a ghost town up there. Only one snowmobile track in the whole hill. I skinned up to just below Crest, for the top was wind stripped clean. The snow was smooth and wind buffed, so knowing which way the wind blows was to work to your advantage. I stayed near the trees, and got some really nice turns all the way to the car. I have been so busy shredding the 'Tude all season, I forgot how much fun and no pressure splitboarding is. The cardio on the way up was great, and the ride home is just what I needed. I hope we get a few more skiffs like this so I can tour some more before it is all done. Below are a few photos and a short edit of my ride up there today. It was beautiful, lightly snowing on the way up, and sun peeking in and out of the clouds. Big Cottonwood is beautiful. Few more days this season for me, then this party is over. Get it while you can!

Brighton Tour 4 23 14 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Closing Day- Solitude Mountain Resort- 4.20.14

Well, it had to end sometime. What a day it was. I was expecting it to be crowded like other closing days I have had. But this was wide open slopes and really fast sorbet. It was a light turn out at the 'Tude. I had some really fun runs, and got to see the rad crew that works the lifts up there, and to be on this mountain once more. It has been a great season up there. I have had so many fun powdery days riding up there. There is no pressure ever on terrain when you ride there. Always seems to be enough powder to go around. Special thanks to the Solitude FOG's for the amazing food and hospitality. You made a migrating rider from another mountain feel right at home. Probably a few more days touring and riding the Bird, and this party is over with. Enjoy the quick edit and see for yourself how few people were there. It felt like my own private resort. The Big Cottonwood Pass is an awesome deal. And it sure payed for itself. I would have visited Brighton on closing day, but the Sol/Bright trail was closed. Summer is on its way, only a few more days on the snow!

Closing Day Solitude 4.20.2014 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.