Here we go again. The Wasatch is under a massive ridge of high pressure and temperatures were in the 50’s in the Salt Lake Valley on December 7th. Backcountry skiing outside Brighton was an effort in snow seeking, as the avalanche danger had calmed down, but the powder was nowhere to be found. Mason Diedrich and I skinned up Brighton Hill from the Guardsman Pass winter trailhead, where other skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers were also in search of a shred of winter. There were also a massive amount of fat bikes – it’s an activity that has clearly blown up (I’d rather be skiing.)
Brighton Hill is a strange zone. You have the constant hum of sleds on Guardsman Pass Road on one side, and the bustle of Brighton Resort on the other. Atop the ridge, is the domain of skiers and snowshoers, the latter of which never go further than the Picnic Tree, a massive, toppled over dead tree at the mid point of the ridge. We found soft, recrystalized powder as hoar frost has grown on the snow surface. Good for turns today, not so good for avalanche conditions when it finally decides to snow.
Within an hour, we were atop Point 10420, the most prominent peak west of Clayton Peak at Brighton. This mountain’s prominence and character has me convinced that it needs an actual name. Any ideas?
On the summit, a stack of flat rocks had been constructed into a sort of arch. We talked to another touring party out for what amounted to a winter hike instead of a backcountry ski tour. We took photos, ate lunch, and drank, including a delightful liqueur called Zirbenz. The label says it’s a “stone pine liqueur of the Alps.” I say it smells like tree sap and tastes like pine cones. It’s delicious. It’s the most mountain-like flavor I’ve ever had. They captured mountain air in a bottle. Mmmmmm…
We skied down northwest facing trees called Promised Land. It’s a forest of evergreens that are perfectly spaced for powder skiing… but there was no powder. What we did find is soft snow barely covering fallen logs. Fun to jump off, but keep those tips up! On the whole, it was actually an enjoyable run where we linked a few untracked turns, drank in the sunshine, breathed mountain air then tasted it in a bottle, and just lived life amongst the peaks.
But still… enough of this sunshine and warm December weather. It needs to snow. Bring on the blizzards, low viz, and biting cold. I’m ready. This edit from Salomon Freeski TV is spot on right about now: