Another day, another trip to Kessler. After the exploits of the "when will it end" powder week I was a bit tired so I took it easy for a while. This worked quite well since it became first exceedingly warm, and second insanely windy as SW flow dominated the weather. Rest took the form of "get the bike out and hammer it up and down Wasatch Blvd with everyone else". A moist storm came in on Tuesday producing a horrendous mix of rain (to 9,500'), graupel, and heavy density snow to nicely sit on top of the bullet proof windcrusts. Despite this, and having heard reports that it was skiing quite well up high, I decided to go to Kessler on Thursday which of course makes absolutely no sense since it isn't that high and is also, in parts, quite wind exposed. Thus a last hurrah at my favourite spot before heading up to Whistler for 10 days (presumably to experience more rain, graupel and high density snow).
The going up was quite easy to about 9,300' as some folks had cut a rather nice track for us. We chipped in the last 500' or so which got worse and worse as the ridge steepened and the wind exposure increased. At 9,800' enough was enough, so feeling comfortable with the stability, we decided to hit the Lawnmower. The ride down was an odd mix. There was about 3" of light powder on top of a variable surface. Down to 9,000 it was great, from there to 8,500 it was a bullet proof windcrust, and below that on the lower angle, more sun exposed terrain, an easy ride again.
A reminder of why it's called the Lawnmower.
The Lawnmower in all its glory.
We skinned back to the top, this time skiing the NE flank, but cutting right instead of the usual left of the cliff band. This seemed to ski a little better with less of the windcrust present. Since the afternoon was getting on, the bottom 500' to the road was a bit mushy, but still fun.
Holding the drinks tray.
The NE flank of Kessler with the hanging meadow (RHS) and our route - the line below the rock band.
