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This week I write about a backcountry ski tour I did yesterday, February 23, 2019, to the summit of Days Draw located along the Reed and Benson Ridge (the ridge between Days Fork and Cardiff Fork). The view from the summit of Days Draw is amazing. You see Superior in the distance and the beautiful wide open bowls of the Cardiac ridge.
This year, 2017, has been an epic snow year in Utah. We have had week after week and many times days after days of light deep powder. During the 2nd week of March, there was a break in the storm cycles with warmer weather and spring skiing conditions. So we decided to summit the Primrose Cirque just to the left of Roberts Horn peak.
A few Saturdays ago, I headed up American Fork Canyon in Utah to do a ski tour with my little guy. It was a blue bird day and the sun was out. We started our approach from the Tibble Fork Reservoir parking lot. In the winter, Tibble Fork Reservoir is a popular destination for snowmobilers, snowshoers, and sledders. The parking lot was full. I knew once we found a parking spot, it was going to be a good day. The Tibble Fork parking lot tends to be crowded on the weekends. The earlier you can get there the better. The warmth of the sun on the face is one of the great joys of skiing on a blue bird day.
On Tuesday, December 27, 2016, me and a group of friends met at 5:30 am to summit the Flagstaff mountain on skis. The Flagstaff mountain is right across the street from Alta. Alta and the Flagstaff mountain are located up Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. This area is popular backcountry ski destination in Utah because of its quick access to some of the most spectacular mountains views and snow.
One of my favorite places to hang out during the early ski preseason is at Alta Ski Resort up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The minute the first snow falls you'll find enthusiastic skiers and snowboarder exploring the different areas of the mountain. Seeing snowboarders is a little unusual but cool, because they are not allowed on the mountain once the resort openings. Alta is one of three resorts left who only allow skiers.
Reaching a mountain summit on skis isn't easy and there's power in the last steps before you reach it. You get a second wind and once you reach the summit, you feel complete satisfaction. The rush of the summit makes the journey worth it. All the hard work and motion forward to reach the summit brings with it a state of gratitude and thankfulness. You're reminded that difficult times (the climb) won't last forever. You're reminded that you can arrive at any summit, over any mountain by simply moving forward six inches at time.
About a month ago, my friend Alec was in a bad mountain bike accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Everyday I read updates on Facebook from his wife Emily and brother Eric. Their messages are of love, hope, faith, and courage. They inspire me to stay focused on the important things of life and to never take a day for granted. Each day prayers are answered and little miracles occur for Alec. It strengthens my resolve to do better in life and look for ways to be strong like Alec.
I have spent my whole life exploring the trails, chutes, and peaks of the Snowbird Ski Resort. Snowbird is located up Little Cottonwood Canyon in the heart of the Wasatch mountains. Just off Snowbird's beaten path is one of my favorite gems—the summit hike to Mount Baldy. There is power in seeing life from a different perspective. Many times you have to position your life from a new angle, a different perspective.
