Ruby Mountains Part 2

When we woke up on day 2 feeling that the hard part was behind us. Our plan for the day was to get back up on the ridge and cruise. It ended up being another day very similar to the first. We quickly reached the ridge in the morning and found that we would have to rip our skins and enjoy some of the great Ruby powder. When we looked out over the ridge we saw nothing but impassible ridge line. Our other option was to ski down about 2,000 vertical feet, cross over 2 drainages and ski a few miles up the third drainage. Needless to say it was not what we had planned. But we did get some good downhill.

Once we reached the top of the drainage, there was a pretty large headwall. We climbed up to the pass expecting to see Overland lake on the other side. We reached the top and decided that we were sufficiently spent for the night. So we set up camp on a pristine ridge at almost 10.000 feet that gave a us great view.

Nothing beats this view out your front door

Mark chasing the sunset

We ate 2 dinners that night to help prepare for the next day and give us the much needed calories. Life just keeps getting better in the Rubies!

It is always nice to go home

Winter has finally arrived here in Utah. It took a little longer than expected but for those that were patient, this week it has paid off. Most areas in Northern Utah received anywhere from 2 -5 feet over the past week. With all the snow, came avalanche warnings and lots of natural and skier triggered activity. Check out the Utah Avalanche Forecast center's account of some of the action. As for me, I stuck to the lift serviced powder while the backcountry avalanche danger was high. I returned to my old stomping grounds of Beaver Mtn, in Logan Canyon. There is something to be said about pulling into the parking lot of a ski resort on a monday morning and only seeing about 25 other cars. No lift lines, no avoiding other skiers, and plenty of beautiful Utah powder to last all day (or probably a few days). It is nice to get away from the chaos of ski in- ski out condos, jam packed backcountry trailheads, and an endless train of cars going up and down the canyon. Sometimes it is worth sacrificing the pure size of a resort or peak when the pay off is solitude and serenity.

Pannic is a long time Beaver Believer!

Beaver Mtn. is a special place for locals. Ask anyone that has spent a season or more there, they will tell you stories of bottomless pow, no frills or extras and a solid crowd of people that are there for one reason and one reason only, the skiing. I would not usually spill the beans about such a special place, but it seems that no matter how much I talk up the Beav, people still tend to get sucked down to the bigger brothers to the south so I am not worried about too many people discovering this gem!

Pannic, Jax and Pitt reminiscing about the good old days

On the next Utah powder day, I dare you to not line up behind the thousands of cars at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon and head north to the Bear River range! Whether you are touring or riding lifts I guarantee you will leave with a smile on your face and stories to bring back to your friends.

Feel free to comment and tell me about the places you love to return to and never leave you disappointed. I am always looking for new places to explore and write about.