Evolution

This week amidst lots of work, family activities, community service things and trying to get ready for the holiday season, I was able to eek out a bit more vertical, all of which was resort skinning in the darkness of morning.  Unfortunately due to heavy loads these days,  I have been unable to break away and ski some of the higher alpine lines this year. I have missed out. More will come though I am certain.

Yesterday Jared, Eric and I met and worked in some vertical before meeting up with Andy, Courtney, Noah, Tom and Nick, to put in more up in a blizzard and wind. I ended my morning with 7,000 vertical.  I then cruised home for breakfast with Santa. Besides being in great company, what added to the fun was the fact that I am finally on a super light set up. My history is as follows: For years I tele toured with a series of different set ups then several years ago saw the alpine touring vision, purchasing some heavy Dynafit TF boots, big skis and Dynafit Vertical binding. I skied with some of my key lightweight influencers with this monster set up and knew that I had to go on a gear diet. The issue like always for a family man is cost. Light gear is expensive and from what I discovered yesterday there is a reason.

So about 2 years I took the intermediate step and bought some BD Gurus, mounted my Verticals and purchased the Scarpa Maestrale boot. With this set up I shed some weight, improved ski performance and was able to more fluidly travel in the high terrain.  On this set up I have skied some dreamy lines throughout the Wasatch Range, Timpanogos Range (still Wasatch I guess) and the Tetons. I have even done a couple skimo races. All and all it is a great set up unless you are trying to chase down super humans for hours on end (for which I need a jet powered flight suit).

Enter the new realm. Just recently I ultimately caved and took the plunge and it has opened my eyes super wide. I have shaved nearly 2 full pounds in boot weight, 2.7 pounds in ski weight and  1.5 pounds in binding weight! This is what tips the scale for me.

Yesterday we started the morning in icy corduroy then as time passed ulitmately we skied in 6" of powder.  Important to note my entire set up was brand new. Hagan X Race skis 160 cm, Dynafit TLT performance boots and La Sportiva RSR binding.  Let me begin by saying climbing in the set up felt like a massage to my legs and mind. Does it still hurt to go up? Yes but it is a heck of a lot more fun.

Hagan X Race Ski
The descent was quite amazing. I found the Hagan ski to ride fast, and smooth whether I was making super G turns on the groomer or powder. Their performance to weight ratio is impressive.  You do weight the ski bit more sensitively but the sweet spot is vast. While skimo really is about the up, Hagan has not forgotten the down. I look forward to putting them down steeper terrain in the very near future. Although you can expect a lightweight racing ski to handle a bit differently than a big mountain ski, the truth is the Hagan X Race ski rips. For more information on the Hagan Ski quiver check em out at: www.haganskiusa.com.

La Sportiva RSR Binding
The RSR binding is a minimalist racing binding which is a rapid in out and does everything you'd expect a racing/touring binding to do. Perfection. In fact the binding cost more than my first car. It is worth it right? The touring mode has a clasp that folds over the prongs of the rear entry keeping you forward for the climbs. The ski mode is super slick. Simply fold over the clasp and you are in.

Dynafit TLT Performance Boot
You can imagine the amount of research that goes into buying a boot. Yep,  you need to try things on, measure the weight and performance to value. Lucky for me I have friends that know just about everything about gear. I bought one of the more tried and true light weight ski mountaineering boot of our time. The Dynafit TLT Performance (carbon cuff/black and yellow and white). The boot easily drove the Hagan ski and from what I can already see it will drive a bigger ski as well. It rides stiff on the down and smooth and slipper like flexible on the up (if the extra tongue is removed for the up). The boot has been raced for years and although there are others out there that shed even more weight, the boot is race ready. For the things I enjoy doing in the mountains I think it will be perfect.

So the bottom line: Don't mess around. If you want to shed weight and keep performance, first start with the boot. The two buckle lightweight boots of the day are the way to go. They ski as well and in many cases weigh half as much as 4 buckle boots. The lightweight ski of today has been engineered to nanometers to save on weight but still delivering a great ride when you need it most.
 

Winter's Deja Vu

The past couple of weeks have yielded a scanty harvest in the way of skiing. With super dry conditions, lower trails are completely clear for mountain biking, trail running and the rock climbing has been like September too.  My wife and I have spent more time together on bikes or with trail shoes this November than ever before it seems. 

With skis on my feet, I have been able to log some vertical in the faded white mountains a couple times this week in either the dark of the morning or late at night. Traveling alone with the moon, the wind has been more of a foe than a friend. However this morning with the winds trying to taper and a few much needed inches, the resort skinning at Brighton was better than I had expected. Right now I feel like I am reliving last year.

A blurry dawn Dec 1- 2012

My middle boy moving up on "Crack in the Woods" 5.9 , LCC-- Thanksgiving Week 2012

Big Cottonwood Poetry- November 13, 2012

Scott Wetzel, the man with a beard nice and red is glad he wasn't still in bed. Skiing with a heavy pack and all he didn't even take a fall. When Ambrose sought some powder fine, Wetzel found it in perfect time. Today with a start both dark and cold, the line we sought was far from bold. Although the coverage was mighty thin, it really gave us each a grin. The mountains truly came aglow with a fresh new blanket of beautiful snow.   -- Me

Scott Wetzel finding a skinner- Big Cottonwood

This morning's dawn and the giants- Big Cottonwood

Changing Landscapes

The second significant, measurable storm reached the Wasatch mountains this weekend. Like many of the storms that cycle through the canyons, we dwellers of the valley see a bit too at our homes. Yesterday to celebrate, Jared, Jason and I made it up the dicey Little Cottonwood Canyon road in darkness to be awakened by morning light, a blizzard and icy winds. The snow stake reported 18" in upper LCC. We approached with interest and caution as the new snow was hypersensitive sending shallow sluffs from the top 4" in a radius about 50 feet above our travels. Specifically the slopes north east facing were active. We did a great little tour enjoying each others company and absorbing the cold vibes of a mountain winter landscape. It seemed like more than 18" of fresh and the super low angles we stayed on and "skied" were not sufficient to gain enough speed to make turns.  Nonetheless, the great white has arrived and we welcome it with gladness.  One thing's for sure, I felt like a naked bear as I froze my tail off. Two coats for the descent weren't sufficient. My camera's battery died too from the cold. Sorry. I need to acclimate.  As of right now the stake tells me 44" storm total upper LCC.

Backyard. Good snow. Too flat to ski.

Happy Veterans Day!

SLC Twin: Granite, quartzite and snow

Having been raised all my life in the Wasatch, I secretly pride myself in thinking I am aware of most all the lines up the peaks of the range. Well turns out I don't. That's the beauty of these steep mountains. They are so diverse and unique with three or so different types of rock too. I deeply love these mountains and always have.  Jared told me I need to go up Twin Peaks via the "granite halfpipe"in Little Cottonwood which he recently did with Jason. Intrigued by the clean nature of the line and the fact that I have never been on it,  I gave it a go this afternoon.  The north and east aspects at higher elevations carry snow from last week and I hoped to avoid them but wanted to try and link some peaks together.

After a nasty bushwack it all began to open up. The bottom of the granite half pipe felt more to me like a granite toboggon hill. I immediately found myself on some wonderful granite that was quite consistent, interrupted only by occasional bushes and dirt. The pitch along the route ranged from walkable to really enjoyable mellow 5th class climbing. As you near the top, the slab becomes steeper and a fall has significant consequence. The soloing was wonderful as the granite was beautiful with sections of mottled rock.

Reaching the top, I worked over to the Southwest ridge of SLC Twin. The summit is quite a distance away and I quickly realized the snow was going to be an issue for me (only had approach shoes) to try and complete the triple traverse and then exit via Tanners. The going slowed through the sketchy snow. I worked my way up excellent quartzite (isn't that sweet, two rock types in one trip!!)on the dry spots, tagging one horn after another along the ridge and reached the top of West Twin in about 2 hours and 16 minutes. I was concerned that my plans were going to have to change as the east elevations were carrying too much snow. Quartzite and 8 inches of snow is not a good combination. So, standing on West Twin I knew the only way off in an attempt to avoid the snow and down climbing the halfpipe would be Deaf Smith. I could have dropped down Lisa but didn't want the rock fall from above. I chose to be prudent and was grateful to have experienced what I did this afternoon. It having been my first real day in the high mountains since recent surgery. It was so excellent to be there this late in the year.

I made my way down Deaf Smith, which by the way is much more fun to ski. Losing and regaining the trail multiple times seems to be the norm.  The fall leaves welcomed me back to civilization in shades of yellow and red as I reached the bottom of the trail with 4 hours and 30 minutes elapsed. I am so grateful for these amazing creations and thank God for the opportunity I have to call them home.

About a quarter of the way up



My camera doesn't do this view justice. Pfief, Coalpit, Lone



Final slab. Excellent rock

Don't fall

West Twin and Southwest ridge

Mr. Goat and My tracks along ridge

Beautiful day on West Twin

Southwest bowl West Twin (Deaf Smith south fork)

I turned around more often to check my behind after seeing these

Seasonal wrestling match

This morning was super cold after yesterday's storm.  Unsure as to what the real snow depth was  I ventured into the stars of the Alta sky. It felt good to skin in the silence. After rubbing several rocks and while exploring around in the blackness, the scene looked like winter and felt like it on my nose and cheeks, but not under my skis. Baldy's north face loomed like a lonely shadow to my right.  Upon reaching the top of Collins, I prayed that I wouldn't destroy my skis on the descent. 10-13" is not enough. It wasn't pretty as I hugged the summer access road. Making it into work by 730 AM, I had that unique feeling of the fingers un-thawing with a dull ache while I typed. It felt good. My picture shows the wrestling match between autumn and winter conditions. Autumn prevailed.

Local Heroes Ch.2 - JARED INOUYE

Jared after coming off Denali 2012

 I remember years ago looking at Bart Gillespie's blog and there was a picture of this guy I used to bump into at the local road racing cycling events.  The picture captivated me as I could immediately pinpoint where the photo was taken high in the Wasatch in the dead of winter. What made it more unique was the fact that he had skis coming out of his pack. Sometime thereafter a couple folks had told me about how this almost phantom of a man came up behind them one early powder filled morning and immediately and silently went by them and set a skinner nearly straight up the mountain. In just moments he vanished as the darkness fleets before the sun.  Jared Inouye, also known as the Salt Lake Samurai, held a mystical presence in my mind. It became apparent to me that he really is almost ghost like when he, Jason and Andy Dorais and I traversed the Timpanogos range in a day. To see him almost floating up the mountain with his ski crampons, while Andy and I post holed in rotten, not totally frozen crust was magical, albeit I was cursing each step of the way.

Jared is a true legend in the Wasatch mountains. His inner drive to push the sport of fast and light in the serious relief of these mountains inspires even the greatest of men and women back country travelers.  He is often a man of few words with a contagious smile and eyes that reflect as a mirror the many incredible things he has beheld. He is soft spoken and laughs when under pressure. Jared is not just one of the greatest ski mountaineering pioneers in our neck of the woods but has influenced people world wide with his talent and passion to further the cause of traveling lighter is not only smarter but more fun.  A father of four beautiful kids and married to a most supportive wife, he is the recipient of much love and encouragement at home and is surrounded by people that really understand him. Jared was reminded of his love for life, family and friends in April 2012 when he was swept off South Superior by an avalanche which literally rag dolled down the rocks and snow for 400 vertical feet. Although injured physically, Jared was extremely lucky and highly fortunate to have survived such an epic. This moment in his life will forever act as a reminder to him and his family of the risks associated with skiing in the back country.

His interest in the mountains, the beauty and adventure they hold started at a young age while living in Gunnison, Utah.  Each summer, Jared would work on his grandfather's farm which specialized in growing mountain grasses used to help minimize flood impacts which can occur due to wildfires. After work, he'd get on his Coyote RD mountain bike and pretend he was racing all over his town. While his father was a Boy Scout Master, he would bring along his inquisitive little boy while going to scout camps. One event in particular made an impact on this kid's life. The Klondike Derby, where scouts build a winter sled and sleep in Springbar tents with sub zero temperatures for one hell filled hour after the next, opened his eyes to the world of white. At the conclusion of the event,  each boy had the chance to ski down what seemed like an enormous hill and Jared was one of them.  His intrigue for wilderness survival and looking at skiing magazines captured his imagination. He soon became a gear sponge and focused on getting the latest and greatest gear at a very young age. Jared went on to say "I remember seeing in one of the magazines this perfectly straight skin track and being amazed at how a person did that." One of his first special memories of ski touring was when he was 13 or 14 years of age, using a pair of steel edged Fisher skis, Chouinard bindings (3 pin) and no skins, and climbed with a pack 3,000 vertical in a duck walk fashion to a cabin.  His track wasn't straight at all. How many 13 year olds do you know that would do this? His pursuit of matching his abilities to the innovation of gear each year has produced a man that knows exactly what to use and when to use it.

Jared coming off Summit of Grand Teton setting a fastest know time round trip

In 2003, Jared was finishing Law School at BYU and began with T1 boots and Hammerhead bindings to do his first set of interval training. He was fit and strong not just from skiing but also because of that fact that in the summer he was racing road bikes (reached Cat II level quickly I might add) and mountain bikes. This was the first year of the Wasatch Powderkeg and while he was gaining confidence he felt his skiing ability could not match the wilds of the high Wasatch Mountains, so he decided not to race. Little did he know that just one year later he would race in the recreation division and nearly win had it not been for a miss turn off course. He has been an avid supporter of the Powderkeg since and won the event flat out in 2010.  More often than not, Jared turned to skiing in the high mountains alone. Fortunately he met local mountain biking pro Bart Gillespie who shared his same go fast and far philosophy. His abilities quickened and he became one of only 8 folks selected from the United States to represent the country on the US SKIMO team in 2009 to race in France's renowned Pierra Menta which was on the World Cup circuit. The race is a five day stage race that averages 8,000 vertical feet per day and set in the incredible French Alps. Jared was amazed at the abilities held by the Europeans to climb and descend at incredible speeds. But what impressed the Samurai even more was the crowd of thousands of spectators all there to be part of the event and a large percentage of them were wearing lyrca and had skinny skis with light touring bindings. "It all made sense to me" he said.  The next year in Andorra, Jared represented the US at the World Ski Mountaineering Championship  and had an outstanding event in the vertical race. Today he is an ambassador for La Sportiva and sponsored by CAMP.

Jared's accomplishments in the mountains span not only distance but also time.  In 2011, Jared would reach a goal he held for many years. A goal that requires safe snow conditions, skill, endurance, mountain expertise and dose of risk taking. He, Jason Dorais and Andy Dorais would set the fastest known time up and down the Grand Teton in the winter and on skis.  In just 5 hours and 17 minutes they round tripped this spectacular mountain. His accomplishments go to Alaska, where just this past June he and his brother Aaron successfully reached the summit of Mt. McKinley and then skied it. Those of you reading this will likely have a feel for the seriousness of this success.  Perhaps the greatest accomplishment though is the inspiration he has shared with so many.  Jared tells me, "I struggle at times with my blog and wonder why I do it. I must say though that there is a special part of me that really gets satisfaction out of sharing those things I love with people around me." Jared has mentored and inspired many, the likes of which are pushing the sport with great exuberance.  Light and fast can be used to describe Jared, but so can patient and loving as he works each and every day at raising his family and inspiring them to reach their goals and foster a love for the mountains and nature.

Some day you too might be skinning up a slope and see something out of the corner of your eye coming near you. He might be wearing tight lycra pants, with a light weight pack, skinny skis and tiny boots. He will likely ask how you are and then quietly say, "mind if I pass?" A bit of advice, let him by.

By Chad Ambrose