Albion Basin, Little Cottonwood Canyon- March 2020

Day 15- I did my 14 day quarantine, so today I took a little time to get out on the splitboard solo style! I got a isolated parking space and threw on the boots. I made sure any groups that got near me I gave them 10 feet not just six! Once I got up the climb from the summer road, the hoards headed into Grizzly Gulch. I went up the summer road only having a Alta cat smooth it all out go rolling by.

Top of the Sunnyside lift is where I decided to drop in because there was no one there, and that is just what I was looking for- social distance! I made the switchover and enjoyed the view as the clouds parted and Devils Castle came into view. Bruce Tremper and his wife were walking by about 20 yards from me and we had a nice long distance chat! He’s one of my hero’s in the world of avalanches!

QYTY1024 from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

I dropped in and glad I did! On the way out found some good snow, but the hoards were out which had me riding the snow on the side of the trail all the way to the bottom. It was a great day up there. Glad I got a day in after two weeks of biting my nails wondering if I had the virus. Felt really good to be on the skins climbing again!

Bells Canyon- Winter Hike- February 2020

It has been a rough start to 2020. My Jeep lost its motor in late December. I have not had my vehicle back since then. I have missed most of our winter cycle this year as I did not have transportation to get to the mountains. My Jeep is supposed to be done soon, but because I have not had a vehicle, I have sort of been a prisoner in my own home. I was finally for the first time this year able to get out in the mountains and do some hiking on Sunday. YakTrax sent me some Run Traction to test out this year. This was my maiden voyage on them. I was really excited to get out and do some gear testing and get some much needed hiking.

You could not have asked for a better day to be out hiking in the mountains. 50 degree temps and bluebird skies made it such an incredible day! I usually start at the Granite Trailhead, but I decided to hike the Wasatch Trailhead because it had been a long time, and I wanted a change of scenery on the way in. Most of the trail to start was melted off and pretty muddy on the way up. When you arrive at the first bridge crossing there is snow in there, but it is a short distance and pretty flat requiring no traction. They have changed this trail quite a bit since I last hiked it. They put in some really forgiving switchbacks which made what was a straight up hill hike, a pretty easy one as you ascend the switchbacks. Once you top out it puts you right at the lake.

I took a few shots then decided to put on the YakTrax Run Traction as all trails above the lake have snow. I was surprised with the ease of putting them on, and how grippy they really were. They would move a bit in the slush, but much less without them on. In the frozen sections and icy stretches they performed really well. I even walked up a 20 degree pitch that was pretty much bulletproof and never slipped once. Never once did I feel them creating pressure points in my feet or on my heels or toes. Overall first impression on these I give them a 10/10!

As I moved above the lake, I did not know how far I was going to go, so I just decided to wander and see how far I got. The snow was packed down and hard in sections on the way up. From the Waterhouse, I moved up the creek section to the upper bridge. There were some really solid stretches of ice in here and the traction worked brilliantly. I stopped at a section of the creek that had ice over the creek, but you could see the water moving under it. That was a pretty cool to watch!

I made my way up and over the bridge. The creek was full of snow and the sun was shining on the other side. I took a quick break on a boulder in the sun, then decided I better make my way out because I did not know what the rest of the loop was going to look like as far as snow and ice. The hike out was pretty sweet and really fun as the YakTrax continued to impress me. They really made winter hiking on packed trails a lot of fun! Finally at the lake, I took off the traction to descend to the car on the muddy dirt path that I came up on.

This was a great day to get out for a hike, do some gear testing, and keep my legs from getting out of shape for the adventures to come this year. I hope to have my Jeep back soon. Spring is right around the corner. Probably a few more days on the splitboard, and some on the YakTraks, then this party will change from snow dances to dirt dances. Enjoy the photos and videos! More adventures to come!

Making Smart Decisions In The Backcountry- The Backcountry Experience Podcast- January 2020

I was invited to join my friend Devin on his podcast to discuss risk management. This is the first time I have ever been on a podcast. We had a great discussion on how you identify, mitigate, and manage risk. We had a great conversation about risk and through process you can develop a clear risk profile to better prepare you for those unknowns that are certainly always a possibility. I feel there is some really great takeaways in this conversation. At the very least it's a great discussion. I want to thank Devin who also has a YouTube channel called Backcountry Exposure. I have embedded the Spotify version here. You can also find this on Apple Podcasts. Make sure you click on the image to open it in Spotify. Search The Backpacking Experience on Apple Podcasts. Be safe out there and make good decisions!



"What is risk management and why is it important? This is a question that may not get asked enough, but is incredibly important in all aspects of backcountry travel and adventure. This episode takes a deep dive into how to make better decisions in the backcountry, that ultimately enhance your ability to have a successful backpacking trip. I bring in my friend, Christian Paul, to help unpack this often over looked element of trip planning and decision making for backcountry travel. Christian brings a lot of outdoor experience to the table as a professional photographer and passionate outdoorsman." -Devin- Backcountry Exposure, The Backpacking Experience

2019 Christian Paul Photography Retrospective

2019 was full of adventures! From an amazing winter cycle which provided the best conditions splitboarding in a few years, to an amazing spring, summer, and fall hiking and backpacking. A lot of time on trail and behind the lens. 20 nights in a tent is never a bad thing. I could not think of a better way to cap off a decade other than the way I did this past year. Who knew that in my mid 40's I would still be going on all these amazing adventures and having the experiences I've been blessed to enjoy? At times things have been hard, many challenges to overcome. But through adversity we gain strength. From a growing family, to the red rock deserts and alpine mountains, to the many days on the skin track seeking my own winter experience. The journey not the destination has over the last 10 years been the greatest reward!

So as we close out another decade, it is good to look back and see where you have been. It is a great determiner as to where one is going. I have been making these Retrospective videos every year for the last decade. Every year I think nothing can top last year, then I put all the content together and I am always blown away at where I have been and what I have experienced. This year is no exception. This 2019 Retrospective edit is just over 13 minutes. So grab a snack, a beverage, and settle in as this video will take you in the mountains all four season here in Utah. Thanks for following along and all the well wishes! Happy New Year to all! End of a decade! What will 2020 bring? Stay tuned........

Microwave- Little Cottonwood Canyon- December 2019

It's been an active December here in the Wasatch. We have had about 50 inches of snow, more in some places. I decided to get out once more on the splitboard to keep the legs fresh and to sneak in a few turns for Sunday Funday! The walk in was nice, took a slightly different approach from the road through the trees which was a cold, but really easy skinning. Once up into the meadow I notices they had the road closed to access Catherine Pass, so I had a decision to make. Microwave was a looking really nice so I decided to do a little snow science/break trail action up this aspect to test how the new snow is reacting. Very solid with no fracturing or collapsing. I stomped a few test slopes on the way up and nothing. When I reached the top of my line I noticed some of the steep terrain above me had released the storm snow. These were large stuffs at best, not a threat, but something to be aware of always.

After switching things over I spent a minute just watching the clouds roll up the canyon with sun directly overhead. It was a pretty awesome sight! I eventually strapped in and made the drop. I did a very long traverse bouncing the snowpack to see if there was any instability. Seeing as there was a nothing happening I dropped in and reaped the reward for the hard work climbing that face. The powder in the apron in the video was 5 stars! Nice second day out for the season! Looks like more snow is in the forecast so more fun to be had! Enjoy the pics and video! More to come!

Microwave 121519 Exit from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

2020 Christian Paul Photography Calendars

Christian Paul Photography 2020 calendars are here! This year I am featuring images that I captured while backpacking and hiking here in the wild of Utah. This year’s calendar is 8x10, perfect for the fridge, cubicle, or office wall. These will make great gifts for the holidays or for yourself for the coming year.

$15.00- price includes shipping to anywhere in the continental United States. Outside the United States alternate shipping rates apply.
Payment Options: PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, checks, and money orders. Paypal and Google Pay requests can be sent to christianpaulphotography@gmail.com
Venmo me at https://venmo.com/Christian-Paul-6

*Please include the address in your request that you would like your order shipped to. If you need a gift message, please include that in your request as well.
If you are in the Salt Lake City area I can deliver them for cash payment or the above options.

I will have these available through the new year. Orders shipped after December 17th are not guaranteed to arrive by Christmas. Thank you for supporting a local artist!

November Hiking and First Day Splitboarding 19/20- Season- Nov/Dec 2019

I had a number of days out hiking in November as we had a really warm and dry month up to the Holiday weekend. I did some Bells hikes and one up to The Living Room as the days were getting short and trails were now getting ice on them. Hiking in warm only to pull out layers at the top to bundle up. My how seasons change.

Sunday the 1st, I did my first day out on the splitboard for the season. I did a tour up Microwave in the Albion Basin and got some really nice powder turns on the way home. It was sunny and nice to be out on the skins walking in the mountains. I did quite a few switchbacks to get to my line. Not the usual first day out, but it was good to get the climbing back in shape. My video camera glitched but I got a few photos from the day out there. Good snow, and a nice run to the car. Winter is here!