OCR Text |
Show Wasatch Canyon Reporter INTO THE GREAT —— SKIING THE LASALS IN SPRING by Jill Adler (Special To The WCR) Wu LU been averaging about four hours of sleep for the past five days. But skiing? In Moab? In —_ Skip sleeping? _ Ifshehad wanted metocome biking I would have thoughtupa reasonable excuse to stay home but the sound of an altogether unique experience was too much. Every resort but Snowbird : Sm | | Ee jill Adler and Tenaya Skiing Backcountry in Southern aa Utah : on Photo by Stacey Thorum i od: oes vice. #eeee ; ee fq a fe |: fg “We made it to Moab, the skiing’s friend’s place the noise from her in southern “Come down,” § eS Utah. : aos The ee MU Celtielinmrlatxs Photo by Stacey Thorum | Interesting offer, especially since it was already 8pm, I wasn’t getting off work until madiieul and I had weight of an alpine boot but I was now able to trek steep trails without taking off my skis. Once I was comfortable, we began our ascent to Brumley’s Ridge and the spectacular vistas of Mt -~Tukuhnikivatz Mt. Peale. In the La Sals have been cleared for hik- told. At last, the trailhead. No ing, biking and skiing trails. Skiing joined us in the parking lot. were on our own. This was area Chandler and Stacey skied the day before so I left guiding to them. Besides, zombie-like state dictated lasts well into June considering the 10,000 foot summit of both Geyser Pass and La Sal Pass. Spanish explor- ers dubbed the range “mountains of salt” because they could not believe — that there was snow in the hills in the middle of summer. Today was no exception. Checking the avalanche that I trust them implicitly. _ The sun massaged my back as we stretched the skins to-our was closed for the season 1 and I was itching | to put to use my new gear _ and recent years, the inverted canyons of Geyser Pass Basin- or so I was cars We the had the my .| B = m™ ~@ great. We’re skiing again tomorrow,’ over not as we four-wheeled it to the ui “was doing. The call came in from Stacey Thorum while I was at work yelled someone So I slept in Chandler’s Jeep | knew where I was going or what I [i she for all this way and not ski. , pee Perfect moving too fast. I looked - and felt - like something the cat yacked up. My friends suggested that I go back to their place and sleep. There was not a chance in hell that I would come ries ei teas I’m not going to try to pretend I @ ; 2 ys and strapped on our + Pieps (avalanche beacons for those of you non-backcountry skiers). A backcountry virgin, I teetered at first. With practice I conquered my newfound spastic lack © of coordination. These new-fangled devices are amazing. Place the plate into an average ski binding and the inserts convert alpine equipment into a telemark boot and binding, freeing the heel for easier, longer strides. My load was a bit heavier thanks to the _ from Backcountry Access. You know, _ the skins, the inserts, the feeling of _ extreme oneness with nature... And my dog needed the exercise. With directions posted on my dash, I _ cruised. The drive to Moab lasted six hours (including my nap). I creaked into the Slickrock Cafe to meet my partners for a gallon of coffee and — scrambled eggs. Cute place, slow ser- forecast, | ski bases, stepped into our Trekkers we knew that things were _ Continued on page 12 ” SUMMERTIME JAT THE ALTA PERUVIAN - LODGE Alpine Weddings and Receptions Alpine Pig roasts on Selected Sundays Weekend Getaways throughout the Summer |MiDoule Meetings and Conferences Cycling Club New Home of Front Check Out Canyon Ie el (Xm ea ase are cerslhe Family Reunions — Sunday Brunch Suspension Sale New Jersey New Name Swmming Pool and Jacuzzi Downhill Dash and BBQ Bash (September 13) 96’ Manitou Mach 5 SX $249.” | Same Kick Ass Shop! All other shocks Lodging in our Confortable Rooms (10%-15% u T-Shirts and Souvenirs Cummer te were! WUT Tye FaBUvous Auta Perovan Looce | Da:x eA? SLC nee i 4 3969 S Wasatch | enh DRAPER ~~ SALT LAKE HIRST LODGE ON THE RIGHT AS YOU ENTER ALTA | off | “pas - pee | DD lel ee Atiy 278-1500 Custom oo Se. 1138 E Fitting -For The Perfect Ride Ce : |