Why Stop Now?

Why compartmentalize the fun? Who says you have to ski on either liquid water or solid water, but not both? Why so rigid with the "ski" seasons? Who is making the rules anyways - man or the mountains? Since Winter 2010-2011 has been the gift that keeps on giving, Scottie, Johnny, and I decided to give a dawn patrol yet another run. (This season I have learned there is no such thing as the "final run", so let's just go with "another run.") On Thursday, July 14, 2011 we headed up LCC to see what snow coverage was still available and skiable. It was so nice meeting at 5 am in shorts and t-shirts in a warm summer breeze, rather than sub zero temps with 5 layers on trying to control the shivers.
We had to get as high as Alta to find some decent coverage on the slopes. Skiing the Main Chute of Mt. Baldy has been on my radar for a long time.

In mid-July there is no Alta Ski Patrol roping off that run. We skin-hiked it up to the summit, and after one false start down the east chute, finally found the chute thanks to Scottie leading us properly. We weren't the only one with this in mind- another fellow summer shredder had already put a boot step trail in the chute itself and was planning on 4 laps. We only had time for one lap, but found that the snow inside the chute was actually predictable, deep, slushy, and grippy. Unbelievable conditions for July 14.

The bottom iced up, but still unbelievable conditions for July 14, 2011.

Compartmentalize Utah's "ski" seasons at your own peril of missing out on amazing beauty and slushy good times.