Wasatch Dispatch: Skiing Big Lines | Heart of Darkness and Monte Cristo Direct

Utah backcountry ski mountaineering. Photo credit: J. Solder

Time to grab the ropes and harnesses. We were hungry for some exposed skiing. TL and Adam were game to tick off some classic Wasatch big ski mountaineering lines.

Utah backcountry skiing. Photo credit: J. Solder

There is something undeniable about steep ski to boot transitions, rappelling in the middle of a line, and traveling over big cliffs. Fully engaged skiing.

Steep? Check. Narrow? Double check. Photo credit: J. Solder

We had Monte Cristo in mind from the start and I coerced them into adding on Heart of Darkness. “It is just right there and a fun novelty line.”

The Heart of Darkness. You can spot the two skiers. Photo credit: J. Solder

Last time a skied it I said: “Never again unless it’s with some friends that have never done it.” Welp, my original feeling stands. Cool location and a must do …. once.

It started off as a nice day. But we were fully socked-in by the time we got to the real scary part. Oh boy, variable snow and crappy visibility. We got the full value adventure.