Back after a week of cold temps and little snowfall, I was fully recovered and ready for a big day. Our original plan was to make an assault on the Twins. High clouds and a lowering ceiling removed that option, so we decided to see what else we could find in Broads with the view to exit via Stairs Gulch.
Starting from the S-Turns, we made good progress, reaching the Saddle at the top of Bonkers in 2hrs 30mins putting in a far better skin track than the "up-the-fall-line" one that was already there. Bonkers being Bonkers, the first run had to be a mandatory top-to-bottom without stopping. The snow was fast and despite the other tracks down the gut, the skiing was still good. There was just about enough light to see where to go, but not enough to significantly heat up the snow.
A few other groups soon appeared. We were quite keen to get ahead so we made it back to the top in 62 minutes. It was around this point that we thought it might be an opportune day to go for 10k. After a quick bite, it was down and up again. Already at this point Bonkers was starting to look a little tired.
We had decided to exit via Stairs, but with 10k on our mind, we went down again.
Someone else wisely went over to the diving board and put in some nice lines.
The last lap was quite painful and the slowest of the lot: a hugely slow 72 minutes (after 60,62,67). A quick skin across the top of Stairs and we were ready to go. 10k under the belt and only down from here!
The sun was a bit more friendly at the top, providing some nice views of SLC and environs.
Standing at the top of the 5,000ft Stairs Gulch slidepath certainly makes you think. It is a long way down to the road.
Whilst Stairs is quite wide, skiers left is all rock slab, forcing one on to the more sun-exposed W-NW flanks. The picture below shows the upper section after it went huge last March.
The first 1,200ft of Stairs were quite good. Nice settled powder with minimal wind damage.
Below here things started to get interesting.
Next time, we'll bring the ice-climbing gear!
The canyon went on forever, winding its way down to the road.
Bit of a bush-whack at the bottom and a couple of stream-crossings but otherwise it was easy skiing.
We arrived at BCC as the sun was setting. A great day in the Wasatch: 10k of climbing and nailing Stairs ahead of one of the avvy forecasters!
Route for the day.
