Our majestic backcountry peaks: Rendezvous, No Name & Cody
Because the tram never opened on Wednesday, that meant that there were fresh tracks to be had on Thursday. We got up early (ugh, again) and caught the 7:24 am bus. Yet again, the bus was packed with UVM kids and we were forced to stand while the bus driver nearly knocked us over with his frightening slam-on-the-brakes habit. David and I jumped in line as soon as we got there. The resort opened on time with bluebird skies and frigid temperatures. I think it was -27 when we got to the resort. To much disappointment, we were cut off right at the end of the first tram box and had to wait at the front of the line for tram box #2. Pretty much a bummer. So much for taking the earlier bus.
Luckily, only 100 people got to Rendezvous Bowl before us, so the snow was still unbelievably soft and fresh when we got to the top. Smoothest run ever. We also got to take a look at the crown of the avalanche that had pulled Mark Wolling under. It was pretty scary looking. I couldn't imagine being stuck in an avalanche of that scale...or any size for that matter.
The site where ski patroller Mark Wolling was caught in an avalanche.
We rode up Sublette a few times and got some fresh tracks over in Tensleep and the Cirque. Too bad it was getting choppy by noon, but it was still a fun day. After David went home to work I met up with my friends Anna and Justin. We overheard that the lower faces were going to open up so we camped out for about 15 minutes on the South Pass Traverse right on top of South Coulter Ridge. Soon enough, a ski patroller came down and yanked the "closed" signs out of the ground. Moments later we were ripping through knee deep powder that hadn't been ridden yet this season. It was one of the best runs I've had so far! It stayed fairly fresh for another two runs and then I called it a day.
David picking a line above the Cirque.
Finding fresh among the tracks.
Today was another frigid day and I was only able to hang around for a few runs due to the extreme temperatures. Tomorrow it's back to the grind, so I'm glad that I was able to make some nice turns before that.
Fossil Mountain and Mount Bannon from the top of the tram.
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