Conditions Report
Report from April 27, 2023
Yesterday, I slept in and felt damn tired after the previous day’s Pfiefferhorn mission.
We’d heard rumors of of Alta opening to uphill yesterday, but we couldn’t confirm.
Martin texted me at 7:35am saying that Alta had opened.
I jumped out of bed and started my recovery process:
- Hot shower
- Big stretch
- Roller
- Theragun
- Breakfast
- 1 liter of water
That took a while, but then I was ready!
We started hiking at 10am and there were no tracks in Little Chute and only 1 track in Main Chute off 11,068′ Mt. Baldy.
There were about 5 or 6 folks ahead of us.
I was walking up pretty casually until a classic crew of Salt Lake City ski mountaineering fanatics rolled up behind me.
I hate it when they pass me…
I turned on the gas and charged as best my tired legs could up the Baldy shoulder.
The skinner eventually petered out and I dug into the booter with gusto.
At first…
I had to stop and rest about 5 times and it was a short booter.
But, I beat the damn ski-mo mob behind me and that felt good (I barely kept them at bay – they’re always so fast…)
Main Chute was already ravaged.
I skinned up to Little Chute and it only had 2 tracks.
Gravy.
I transitioned fast in the howling summit winds.
The hike started out hot as hell and ended with me hiking in my ski jacket, helmet, and goggles due to a fierce west wind.
I dropped in feeling very unsure what to expect of the 2-day old snow.
It was chalky, soft, and weird up top but predictable and very skiable.
In the middle of the chute it got a little funkier and punchy.
At the end of the chute, it was full-on roller balls turned frozen chicken heads.
I straightlined out gripped by fear as the chicken beaks pecked at my tips in an attempt to create a vicious wipeout.
I hung on somehow and soared out onto the crunchy apron and into safety.
The groomer down to the parking lot was golden.
Untouched and sunkissed up top.
I simply love skiing Alta before and after their opening season.
Thanks, Alta!
