Looking for B.C. beta and a ride... $ for you.

Hey Salt Lakers.... Anyone in town interested in making some bucks by transporting myself and another climber buddy from the airport to Snowbird with a stop at Black Diamond along the way? And of course, always psyched to meet fellow climbers and skiers, so let's ski too! Lastly.. looking for any beta on local back country areas near snowbird that would be a mellow skin up. I planned on hitting the guys at BD up for beta and maps since I'll be doing a bit of b.c. on the non resort days. We're staying at the base in a condo Jan 13-16th. Thanks!

What does B.C. stand for?

One guess is "back country", the other guess is that one place in Canada. But, you'll be in Utah, so anywhere in Canada is irrelevant.

Paul Hutton wrote:What does B.C. stand for? One guess is "back country", the other guess is that one place in Canada. But, you'll be in Utah, so that anywhere in Canada is irrelevant.

Maybe read the post before being snide?

OP wrote:...looking for any beta on local back country areas...

If you are staying in a condo you should plan a stop at a grocery store and liquor store as there is nothing per say at Alta/Snowturd (there is a general store but $$).

If you do not have the skills and equipment for avy terrain none of what is written below applies.

As for mellow BC skiing around Alta. My suggestions are to learn about the Grizzly Gulch / Twin Lakes Pass area as well as White Pine and Red Pine. These are mellow but not without avy danger. One can skin up Flagstaff and drop into Days/Silver Fork but these all have avy danger. There is coming back down the south via Toledo.

If ya want to bag a peak one can ski up Poleline Pass and hike up the east ridge of Mt. Superior. From this pass one can drop in to Cardiff Fork but again there is avy danger.

Allen, Thanks, Huge help! Appreciate the info. The condo will be stocked, but i'm sure it will lack the wet things I need. One of the reasons I didn't want to jump on Canyon Transport.

Someone mentioned to me a quick ( 1 hour up) ski tour that was right across the road from Snowbird- Any clue what he was saying? Yes, not looking for any serious avy danger areas. More mellow in that regard. Ive got an great BD AT setup, but no avy gear. Truthfully Im in learning mode...

There are no tours per say across from Snowturd. They all really start across from Alta. The closest tour is probably the one I mentioned up Poleline Pass on the east side of Mt. Superior.

Some details: powderproject.com/trail/700…

A resource: utahavalanchecenter.org/adv…

G Halsne wrote:Yes, not looking for any serious avy danger areas. More mellow in that regard. Ive got an great BD AT setup, but no avy gear. Truthfully Im in learning mode...

In that case you're really not ready for any of the side/back country around Alta and Snowbird, especially given our current snowpack. Take some of the on-line courses and interactive exercises at the Utah Avalanche Center site that Allen provided.

Comments humbly accepted- I passed on last years Avy courses in my area and regretting it. Its slow going into the backside of the white planet while stuck in LA with a FT job.

Ill have to get back with my guys to get deets on his "easy skin in"

For now tho- still looking for a friendly ride to BD, and The Lifts! Trade you a day of Belay bit*hery on my next summer trip !

FWIW, Ya should post up yer exact arrival date and time along how much crap yer bringing along. That might help out as there are a fair number of folks who might run a lap on the icicle or ski an evening uphill lap after the lifts close.

Marc801 wrote: Maybe read the post before being snide?

It's easy for anything to be taken as snide on the internet. I had read the original post before posting. I regret having not posted in a way that you approve. I'm certain that I would've come off as friendly in person, and you would've replied in a civil manner. Yet, no one has answered my question. I'll go with backcountry. I'm a fellow skier, and can handle myself on a black diamond. Just haven't had a lot of immersion in the culture. Maybe I should maintain my distance. Excuse me.

G Halsne wrote:Comments humbly accepted- I passed on last years Avy courses in my area and regretting it. Its slow going into the backside of the white planet while stuck in LA with a FT job. Ill have to get back with my guys to get deets on his "easy skin in"...

Didn't mean to come off harsh - I've lost a few friends in the mountains over the decades due to avalanche - just meant that most of the terrain in upper LCC outside of the resorts has pretty significant avi danger, especially if you can't read the terrain or are weak in your assessment and route selection skills. I personally would not do anything outside of the resorts without avi gear, with the knowledge that if you actually have to use your avi gear, then you've already f'ckd up. Avi gear doesn't keep you safe - avi knowledge and education does.

Really, if you haven't, then start reading the daily avi report for the SLC mountains to at least get an idea of the snowpack, recent weather, and current dangers. Use their resources and education sections as well.
utahavalanchecenter.org/adv…

Allen Sanderson wrote:FWIW, Ya should post up yer exact arrival date and time along how much crap yer bringing along. That might help out as there are a fair number of folks who might run a lap on the icicle or ski an evening uphill lap after the lifts close.

For sure! We arrive at 10am on the 13th- just need the ride up as we have arranged a free ride back on the 16th

And thanks for all your knowledge! Much appreciated. By mellow, what I meant, was something well traveled and more of novice skin track... Which sounds like it doesn't exist. I will perhaps take a lap up the hill after lifts close... that was an idea for wednesday.

Marc, not harsh at all. Its the real deal danger, Which I am not ready for. LOL

Paul, no offense from me. Yes, BC: Back Country- AT: Alpine touring.

G Halsne wrote:I will perhaps take a lap up the hill after lifts close...

Of the 4 Cottonwood Canyon resorts, only Brighton allows uphill travel, with restrictions.

Uphill policies are all here on the UAC site:
utahavalanchecenter.org/res…

Wow i thought Mammoth was the only uphill nazi. Not even after lifts shut down?

G Halsne wrote:Wow i thought Mammoth was the only uphill nazi. Not even after lifts shut down?

Correct. No fresh diesel cord.

Was good while it lasted. Unfortunately the first rule of fight club was not followed. Too many folks doing it.

They groom all night long.

From Snowbird:

Uphill Travel/Hiking Policy and Guidelines

Due to an increase in uphill hiking, skinning and biking, Snowbird has implemented a new uphill travel policy. Skinning, splitboarding and biking are not allowed at Snowbird during winter and spring operating seasons. Unauthorized uphill travel also includes hiking without a Snowbird guide. To arrange a Snowbird guide for uphill hiking call the Snowbird Activity Center at 801-933-2147 at least 24 hours in advance. Hiking without a Snowbird guide is not permitted during winter and spring operating hours.

That said, the "summer road" at Alta is open. Go to the back parking lot, park, and skin up the road that leads to Grizzly Gulch. There's a beacon check station at the start so you'll know you're at the right spot. Sometimes groomed all the way to Honeycomb Cliffs. Usually fairly safe until you pass above the cabins (some of the road is exposed to slopes above that are known to occasionally produce a slide that crosses the road). On any day in the winter, once above the road (trail goes above the cabins and around the corner to the left), its a beat path all the way to Twin Lakes Pass. Most days pretty safe place to travel. Watch the avy forecast for updates.

Be safe, have fun!

How much cash are you offering?

Brian! Awesome scoop!

Rig... whatevers fair. The idea was to meet new climber friends, that were maybe going up anyway.

Canyon transportation is $40, but no stops. So whatevers fair.

+1 for the Alta summer road. It sounds like a good fit for your interests etc. as posted here, and is a lot of fun.

benb wrote:+1 for the Alta summer road. It sounds like a good fit for your interests etc. as posted here, and is a lot of fun.

Just to clarify, Brian was suggesting the summer road to gain access to the Grizzly Gulch cat track and then up Grizz.

Well... little hiccup.

Snapped one if my BD Aspects yesterday on Baldy.

Anyone selling a set of similar skis? Or any ideas... ?

My options seem to be, yank my dynafits off, bring up to slc and find skis and someone to mount them real fast.

Find new b.c. skis in LA ... yeah good luck.

G Halsne wrote:My options seem to be, yank my dynafits off, bring up to slc and find skis and someone to mount them real fast.

That shouldn't be a problem at all.