Peak 9699, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 1.31.2016

We got another great storm to start of the weekend, so we decided to head up one of my favorite lines here in the Wasatch, Peak 9699. The climb up was great and so much more filled in than last year. We made it to the first over look, then moved across the face to Greens Basin. My partner Chris found a new route to the ridge so we took that and I have to say that I like that one much better than the previous route we took in there. We made our way up through the aspens and pines and eventually made it to the top of the Meadow Chutes. We then made the last jaunt up to the peak. The wind was blowing really cold and a storm was moving in from the south. So we made the switch over and dropped in. The snow was in such great condition we just rallied through the glades getting some of the best turns of the season. The ride out was really good, even being able to ride all the way to the car. Enjoy the video from our day up there. Pray 4 Snow!

Peak 9699 1_31_16 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Little Willow, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 1.24.2016

We got another shot of snow that spiked the avalanche danger to high for steep terrain in the range. We decided that Sunday Funday would be a low angle spot. We decided to hit the Willows again as that has mellow low angle terrain, and some of the best glades in the range. We made our climb up from the road and took a new route in. This was far more scenic than the last trip in here and the snow was just right. We broke trail to the summer trail, then we rounded the corner and took the ridge up. The wind was brisk in the open areas, and the cold front was for sure showing what its got. After a while of climbing and breaking trail, we made it to the saddle just below Willow Peak. After getting warm and changing it over we decided to take Little Willow out as no one had dropped in that side. We made a great choice! The ride was so fun moving through the trees and getting nice powder turns in the glades. We had a fun out as well, as the snow stayed soft and did not set up. Another great day in the Wasatch! Enjoy the video below. Pray 4 Snow!

Little Willow Tour 1_24_16 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Honeycomb Canyon- Big Cottonwood Canyon- 1.21.2016

This winter has been drastically different from last year. We got another good cycle that buried the Wasatch in deep snow. It was the kind of fill in we needed as there were some areas that need some more snow. I made it up Tuesday and got some fun laps in the ultralight that fell overnight. Wednesday I tried to get up the canyon, but the line in the canyon was just so huge I turned around and went home. I noticed that they did not open Honeycomb Canyon. So Thursday morning I headed up and got some nice turns on the frontside as they were doing avalanche control back there. After about two hours ski patrol dropped the rope to Navarone and it was on. They actually groomed Woodlawn better than I have ever seen it. Below is a short edit of one of my runs savoring the supportable snow that was sitting in the shady aspects. There is still some stuff that needs more snow, but if you knew your line you were getting it good. Enjoy the video. This winter party marches on!

Honeycomb Canyon 1_21_16 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Little Willow Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- January 2016

This storm dumped so much snow, and it has stayed so cold, that this snow has stayed well preserved. We decided to head up to the Willows for a line into Little Willow. We started up the road and soon headed west on the summer trail. We made our way to the corner ridge and found a skin track through the trees. After a nice climb with views and some new terrain, we had not seen, we made it to the saddle next to Willow Peak. We made the switch over, then decided it was time to go for a run. We had nice powder through the trees and found some nice glades to carve it up in. Then it was a maze through the trees until we hit the summer trail on the west face. There is some variable snow out there on the exit where the sun had at it, and it made turning a bit difficult. Still an awesome first day of 2016 on the snow. A great day in the mountains with one of my best friends. Enjoy the video. More adventures to come! Pray 4 Snow!

Little Willow Tour 1.3.2016 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

2015 Retrospective- Christian Paul Photography

Another year of adventure in the mountains of Utah comes to a close. I have had an amazing year out in our wilderness for 2015. The times I have spent with my good friends and my family will be memories that I shall never forget. I feel I challenged myself pretty hard this year out there. And every time I was able to get in the mountains it always felt like going home. From big climbs on the splitboard, to grueling hikes, to dangerous storms, I survived them all. I set a record, for me on trail of 221 miles hiking and backpacking this past summer. That is a lot of walking! I was fortunate to go on adventures with good friends, and to reconnect with those from the past, and to make new friends that make our mountain family complete. Final tally for the year- 37 days snowboarding and splitboarding, 70 days hiking and backpacking, 27 days backcountry camping, 221 miles on trail, memories that will last with me a lifetime! This video contains my entire year, January to December, of my adventures in the mountains here in Utah. Sit back, get a beverage and a snack, and enjoy this video I put together of all of my adventures from the last year. What will 2016 bring? Stay tuned..........

2015 Retrospective from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Scotts Backdoor Tour- Big Cottonwood Canyon- 12.30.2015

Its been a couple of weeks since I have been out on the splitboard. I had some friends Jason and Jeremy get in touch about getting out on the skins. Since things finally stabilized, I figured why not check out one of my favorite safe zones. Temperatures were in the single digits when we started up. But we all quickly warmed up because that is what you do when you are climbing. We made a quick jaunt up to the elbow, and the jeep track that goes up to Scotts Pass. We were breaking trail most of the way because there has been very little traffic in this area since our last storm. We got to the pass and headed up the final section to the top. We all made the switch over and I was first on slope. This was better than last year when I was up here. It was a nice ride to the car and I got some really nice powder up there. A great day out with friends getting some classic five star powder in the backcountry which Utah is famous for. Enjoy the video! Pray 4 Snow!

Scotts Backdoor Tour- 12.30.2015 from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

Xmas Came Early In The Wasatch! Soiltude- 12.23.2015

Just when you think nothing could possibly top Tuesday up there. Tuesday night a storm rolled in and dropped another 21" of amazing powder up at Solitude. It filled everything back in and refreshed the mountain. The wind was in play and helped keep certain areas sooth and deep all day. It was so much fun! Here is an edit of my first turns of the day up there. Amazing storm cycle, sending this year out on a good note! Avalanche conditions in the backcountry are very dangerous right now. It needs time to settle out. I'll just play at the resort for now. Enjoy the video. I know I enjoyed the powder! Pray 4 Snow!

21" Refill 12.23.15 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.