Skied Alta’s Main Chute, one of the Baldy Chutes

Baldy Chutes - Main Chute
Entering the portal in 3, 2, 1…

What a thrilling day it was for me to record my third time “down” the Main Chute in the Baldy Chutes at Alta Ski Area a couple of weeks ago. I say “down” because I’ve only technically skied it twice as the first time I attempted it I fell 1,100 feet from the top to the bottom.

This time around was a nice spring day with mostly soft snow conditions, though some parts of the chute were icy. This was certainly my best run at it. I was in the most control, most relaxed (if that’s possible) and best turns. The first time I hit it after my fall I was terrified and was simply trying to get down it without getting hurt.

I was happy to take my buddy Mike there for his first time. As can be expected, he was psyched out at first. It is visually intimidating at the first. But after watching a couple of other skiers do it, he got up the will and did it without incident. Nice job Mike!

Slushy but fantastic day in the backcountry

Hard to put into words how rewarding and challenging climbing up a mountain and skiing down it is, not to mention the scenery. In today’s case it was very heavy slush; 52 degrees. It’s hard to turn in slush. No quick or tight turns. Have to make wide or better yet, no turns. Difficult to score style points in these conditions! I must be getting mushy because I can sense each day I get out and ski may be the real-deal last for the season.  The snow is melting fast.

East Baldy Rope Drop

East Baldy at Alta Ski Area is a short side step and/or boot back hike to a big open face on Mount Baldy. Often times snow conditions aren’t great on that face, but when conditions are right it can be a pow fest. Check out the video and photos below.

A YouTube follower asked about the photos from Peak Photo Alta, so I took the opportunity to post them here:

Skiing Stone Crusher at Alta Ski Area

Skied Stone Crusher last weekend with a couple of friends from out of town. Stone Crusher is a less-known run at Alta compared to High Boy (Alf’s High Rustler) or Main Chute on Mount Baldy.  Stone Crusher is right next to High Boy though, and is just as steep but not quite as long. The entrance to the run was quite difficult to navigate due to a less than optimal base and lack of new snow over the last month or so.  Enjoy the video.

The entrance:

East Castle – Alta Ski Area

What a great day. The seldom open East Castle at Alta Ski Area was open today. I can’t say no to an opportunity like that. To get to the top, one must left side-step for about 45 minutes. It’s a hell of a workout.

The main face was full of avalanche debris and was a thick breakable crust. Not optimal skiing.  But the face you arrive at prior to the main face had some decent snow which was much more skiable.

NBD (New Boot Day) – Technica Zero G Tour Pro

I’ve been suffering bad blisters on my old Technica Cochise 130 touring boots.  I tried everything to resolve the blisters from tweaking/molding the liners, Squirrel’s Nut Butter, athletic tape, moleskin… None of those things addressed the problem, which was that the boots were too big. I finally did it right, and got some new boots completely fitted, molded, orthotic-ed (just made that word up), and every possible customization and adaptation to my feet possible.  I have faith in Technical and that’s one reason why I chose them again with the Zero G Tour Pro. That at the fitter said these boots are the best of the best.

Above: note the alternate buckle. Interesting.

This walk/ski mechanism above is very hot right now.

I’ve done one tour with them so far, then the snow melted.  The tour was a success.  No blisters on the achilles.  I had a little bit of rubbing on the right ankle bone, but I think I need to change socks to a less abrasive pair.

I felt great in ski mode. My feet and my skis were connected. My foot wasn’t floating around in the boot.  My toes didn’t go numb either, which was another issue I had.

This is way too early to come to a conclusion and I may need another tweak or two to the boots, but they’re already a huge improvement.

The Lesson

Do it right the first time.  Get the right boot.  Get the right size. Get fitted by a pro.