Backcountry
(Clip from Monday)
Report from Monday and Tuesday, March 6-7, 2023Â
Another day, another storm.
This past weekend’s blockbuster storm brought the Cottonwoods 35-45″ of new snow, and with considerable avalanche danger and lots of new fluff, the past two mornings were perfect for getting out and practicing the fine-tuned art of powsurfing.
On Monday, we hiked up Days Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon for some deep, tranquil, low-angle surfing amongst snowy evergreen trees.
The snow was blower and light, tickling my mustache with nearly every turn.
(Clip from Tuesday)Â
We climbed up to a ridgeline at about 9,000 feet, passing a plethora of pillows along the way.
I dropped in on my Grassroots Flying Carpet Powsurfer and was immediately inundated with face shots.
The snow was DEEP.
The first few turns were mellow and low-pitch, and I was able to ride it smoothly without falling.
As the terrain got steeper and tighter, I began maxing out my ability level on the board—I’m still learning how to float on this beautiful creation by legendary powsurfer Jeremy Jensen.
I made a left when I should have made a right, and ended up in the flats.
The next hour was spent wallowing back to the skin track in much frustration and sweat.
Later that evening, I felt the need for a rebuttal so I made plans with a buddy to ski a south-facing shot right off the side of the highway I eyed on the way home earlier…
By 6:30 the next morning we were hiking again, my powsurfer strapped to my Mountain Hardware Powabunga 32-liter backpack.
It was cold with zero wind and friendly skies.
Due to cloud cover and light snowfall yesterday, the snow in Tuesday’s south-facing zone stayed fresh.
It was slightly less blower than yesterday but it was still as soft and smooth as we could ever dream.
The sun was rising.
At 7:30 we dropped, surfing a nice mellow but fast-riding pitch through scrub oak and juniper bushes.
It was a little steeper than what I was used to, and I’d make about two or three fast turns on the powsurfer before falling.
With each fall I’d let out a stoked little yell, pick myself up, and get right back on my board.
Learning stuff is fun, especially when that stuff is powsurfing.Â
We managed to surf straight down to the road, where it was less than a two-minute walk back to the car.
It was a great bang-for-your-buck line, only taking us an hour car-to-car, and in excellent powder snow.
We both made it to work on time today.
There’s no better feeling than driving past a long line of cars headed up to the ski area, already feeling relaxed, satisfied, and stoked from the morning shred.
Avalanche ForecastÂ
Weather
Photos (In chronological order)
