There was no powder like last time, but there was still plenty of snow. The trail was well packed, making snowshoes unnecessary, but step off the trail and you would posthole to knee or crotch. The bridge gave evidence that the packed snow was at least two-feet deep. Blazes on the trees, normally at eye-level, were waist high.
It was a warm day, in the high-30's, so we had to strip down while climbing. Although it was cloudy, it didn't rain.
Just before the summit, there was a small downhill, so sleds came off the packs for a bit of fun.
The summit was windblown and icy. We used our snowshoes for traction, but could have easily booted it all the way.
A group of skiers skinned past us while we were eating lunch near the warden's cabin. They were still at the summit when we got there and took the group photo below. They saw our sleds and waited around to see us descend. They told us it would be the first sled descent from the summit of Mt. Cardigan, and I'm sure they would know.
Tandem sledding
Here Mimi is holding the gate for the rest of us to ski through. Then we checked that all the avalanche beacons were transmitting correctly, and snugged our packs with probes and shovels. Even though we planned a very conservative and safe tour, we had to be prepared for the worst.
We are all ready to go. Behind us is the ski area, Rendezvous Bowl to be specific.
Once through the gate, there is a short traverse through the trees to get to the first slope. The mountains are beautiful and the snow fields beckon.
Here we are contemplating the first powder run. We went one at a time to reduce the risk of bringing down snow on top of the skier below. The snow was light and deep, over the knees.
Nick was skiing without poles, but that didn't keep him from going big.
Powder pig smile.
Julie got this picture of Mimi checking out the lay of the land and keeping an eye on her charges. Mimi was our guide extraordanaire, doing route finding, sharing safety tips, and going last to pick up the pieces if necessary.
Nick watching his Mom making turns. When we were all down, we looked back up and admired our lines snaking down the mountain next to each other.
Julie enjoying the pow.
Greg skis fast (actually rides his snowboard fast) and I have trouble keeping up with him. Maybe he is just in a hurry to get back to the lift so he can call in to work and check on the many design projects his architecture firm is responsible for.
Nick gearing up for another day of deep. Another 4 or more inches fell during the night and it continued to storm all day. Still snowing as I type this after a day of excellent runs.
That's Michael waiting for the rest of us to get our boots on. The patio off the Teton Club's ski locker is a ground level in the summer. In the winter they have to build snow stairs so you can climb to the top of the snow pack.
Julie's still recovering from her cold and moving a little slow, but there was no way she was going to miss these great conditions.
Mimi and Frank have a locker pass that allows them to catch an early gondola so they get first tracks. The hoi polloi have to wait in line for the gondola to open at 9 AM, and there was a long line today. Accidentally, we got in the singles line a few minutes before 9 and didn't have to wait long before we were heading up the mountain. Bonus #1: Chatting with Hollee Armstrong (proprietress of the spa at the Teton Club and wife of Sick Rick Armstrong, extreme skiing legend) in the line. Bonus #2: They put all four of us from the singles line of into the same gondola so we got the short wait in line and the companionship during the ride up.
Here's a shot of Julie near the bottom of Rendezvous Bowl. Even sick and run down, she skis better than most. We had another yummy lunch at our condo thanks to Chef Al's split pea soup and super sandwiches--BreadMan bread fortified with Mimi's granola, topped with condiments like sun dried tomatoes, olive tapenade, hummus, artichoke hearts, and cranberry sauce. Oh yeah, some meat, cheese, and lettuce too.
In the gondie, Greg took a call from a customer (Greg's and architect) and let the caller believe he was in the office, rather than out shredding the slopes.
The kids waiting at the gondola for the adults to get their acts together. That's a snow flake in front of Nick's nose, not a tissue to stop the nosebleeds he often suffers in the high altitude dry air of Wyoming. After skiing a few runs with us, the under-15 set went their own way for the rest of the day. We saw them at lunch and again at dinner.
Cousin Greg, the renegade boarder, joined the gang today. His flight from NYC was delayed 24 hours by the snowstorm in the east. Bubba, Paul, Chris and Eric left Jackson for Boston today but got held up in Chicago for two days due to the storms. Skiers' delight is travelers' woe. Greg, aka Eggy, had a couple of tumbling falls which we promptly named "egg-beaters".
We went into the Teton Club for a late lunch, from which some of the crowd never recovered. Julie and Frank (see below) extended lunch naps into all-afternoon affairs, but Nick recovered and spent the last couple of hours skiing Casper Bowl with his cousins. Julie is still recovering from her cold and I suspect Frank is suffering from hosting-induced fatigue.
After lunch, Greg and Michael showed off all the cool things they could do with the iPhone and iTouch. Frank and Michael also held a forum on internet lingo. Topics debated included the pronunciation of "pwned" and the proper use of "teh".
While it was cloudy and snowing on the top of the mountain, at the base it was sunny and warmer. This band was rocking the line at the gondola.
Eric borrowed one of Mimi's backpacks yesterday to carry his skis up the Headwall. He felt so cool with the pack that he wanted to wear it again today, even though it only held some snacks and water.
Bubba and Paul head back to Boston tomorrow. Bubba left her hat and goggles in the restroom and had to wear Frank's neckie on her head to keep warm. Sort of looks like a fuzzy, black toque.
Day 1 - Waiting for the gondola to open. Had some fun in Cheyenne Bowl and multiple runs down Broken Goggles. Rode the double up to ski Rendezvous Bowl. This is the second year with no tram. Can't wait for the new and improved tram next year.
Day 2 - Excellent base of snow, but no new snow. So not much to report. Skied Ten Sleep and Expert Chutes. Also Alta Three and Bird in Hand. Met up with Bubba's neighbors from
Above are a couple of shots of paragliders taking off from Gros Ventre, right below where the gondola unloads. The pilots earn some money by strapping a paying guest rider in front of them and running down the hill to fill the sail and glide down to the valley.
Day 3 – Still no new snow. But after two blue bird, sunny days, there were some clouds today and a dusting is forecast for tonight. We hiked up the Headwall today. Nick was sick and didn't ski yesterday, so today he skied with his cousins M&M, while we climbed. The entry where we took off our skis and put them on our packs was tricky, as you can tell by Chris struggling up the first section in front of Frank (below).
Then it's just a long climb up the boot track to the top. The photo above is looking back at Chris and Frank. The photo below is looking up at Michael and the rock marking the top of the climb.
Chris, Frank, and Mimi approach the top of the climb.
Mimi crests the top of the climb.
Phillip on top.
The whole gang posing at the top of the Headwall climb, with Corbett's Couloir and Ten Sleep in the background. From left to right: Michael, Julie, Phillip, Bubba, Eric, Frank, Mimi, Chris.
Mimi and Bubba enter Casper Bowl, the prize after the hike.
Michael found the best snow by entering the chute from the skier's right (above). Below he makes a turn and enters the steepest section of the chute.
Below, Chris catches some air off a cat track. It looks like he's jumping for joy at surviving his first experience skiing out of bounds.
