Wasatch Mountains, UT, Report: 1 Long, Heavenly, Blower Powder Run

Martin Kuprianowicz | Post Tag for BackcountryBackcountry

Report from Wednesday, January 18, 2023

High-noon. 

It was calm.

The sun danced in and out from transitory clouds. 

A woodpecker repetitively ticked away at a stump in an otherwise empty aspen grove. 

The air was warm, even on top of the peak.

Heading up in fantastic coverage. | Photo courtesy of SnowBrains

I scoped the south-facing zone, planned my line, and traversed over to the drop-point. 

Clouds shrouded me so I waited for the sun to creep its way back into the mountains. 

A moment of grace followed.

Slowly, a golden glow began to slither its way up the mountainside, causing the snow crystals to glitter like diamonds. 

Time to drop. 

Deep. | Photo courtesy of SnowBrains

I had been apprehensive that by now the sun would have cooked the snow a bit, but my first few turns were blower.

Light, dry, blower Utah powder snow. 

I made aggressive turns down the slide path in the sunshine. 

Looming, intimidating peaks were circled awl around me. 

The run went all the way to the highway.

I was elated. 

100″ of snow in the past two weeks made for some damn good skiing today. 

Amongst giants. | Photo courtesy of SnowBrains

On the road I stuck my thumb out and a lovely couple on the way to Brighton shuttled me back to my car. 

They asked me how it was. 

“You guys are in for a treat today,” I said. 

Heaven. | Photo courtesy of SnowBrains

Avalanche Forecast

Photo courtesy of UAC 1/18/23

Weather

Photo courtesy of NOAA 1/18/23

 


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