ABasin Conditions

[Tjf1967]

Looks fun. Nice work

 

[tirolski]

The scene on the East Wall.

From top and bottom. It’s amazing how not steep ski runs can look in pictures.

Nice.

 

[Ripitz]

The scene on the East Wall.
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1st Notch from afar.
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From top and bottom. It’s amazing how not steep ski runs can look in pictures.
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Although this (errant) picture of the lip at the entrance gives a better idea of steepness.
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I like this very much.

 

[JTG]

Nice.

 

[tirolski]

Once you hit 50 things get exponentially more difficult. Pushing 55 I have to say, the altitude hit me noticeably harder this year than last. Even if I didn’t want to pace myself (got two more days), I don’t think I had a second East Wall lap in me after skiing powder (some nice, some punchy, some VERY grabby) in the am.

30 or so years ago when I went there from Boulder my finger tips started getting numb on the way up before I even started skiing.
It was much easier to golf with locals in Boulder. It was early June.

 

[jimmypete]

wait till you are 76, groomers baby, and actually A Basin has a fair amount of long steep grooms had a good time there this March after skiing out Keystone

 

[JTG]

Ok, plan for A-Basin tomorrow…..2nd Notch, then Willie’s Wide.

 

[JTG]

Ok, plan for A-Basin tomorrow…..2nd Notch, then Willie’s Wide.

Mission accomplished!

Conditions were superb today. Warm and soft, but never slushy, and still decent powder up on the East Wall.

First another shot of the 1st Notch entrance.

Then on to 2nd Notch.

Once you down climb there’s a small ledge (very small) to put your skis on. From there it’s game on. Chalky hard pack to start, with softer snow as you get past the crux.

From there it was time to tackle Willy’s Wide!

More to come!

 

[Milo Maltbie]

Nice! Milo Jr and I will be there sometime after Thursday this week. Probably not gonna do the East Wall.

mm

 

[JTG]

You’ll have a great time! It’s work, but don’t pass up the opportunity to spend time on the East Wall. Actually, once you get up there the terrain isn’t intimidating at all…..unless you want it to be.

Top of Willy’s booter…

But you aren’t done yet!

Top of the Snorkle Staircase.

The boot pack took me an hour, including the 10 minute hydration break I took half way through. I’m old and slow! Views up there are spectacular though.

Not knowing when I’d be up there again, rather than ski what I just hiked I continued the adventure. Traversing and sidestepping a few ridges I made my way out to Corner Chute. If you get the chance, spend the time to get out there, it’s a special place!

The payoff!

Finished the day off with a little Pali fun.