the week in skiing (3)

 Monday H was back on the full early bus, scoring a seat this time.  It was cold, windy, snowing a bit off and on with subpar visibility.  Again, there were delayed lift openings as ski patrol worked to clear potential avalanches (the avalanche danger is very high along the Wasatch Front right now, with the wind-driven new snow unstable on top of the old base layer).  Again, it was really busy with all the holiday tourists.  H took the 2:09 bus down but the drive was snow-covered and quite slow: it took them almost an hour to get to the mouth of the canyon.

Meanwhile: A went back to work.

Last run of the day

On New Year's Eve day, the storm system had moved on, leaving bright blue skies and bitter cold in its wake, or as H texted me, "Mostly sunny and cold AF."  More specifically, the thermometer at the bottom of the Supreme chair was at 0F for most of the day - brutal.  On the plus side, the visibility was quite good and it didn't seem quite as crowded, seeing how most people spent a lot of time in the lodges, trying to warm up.  H took the 2:09 bus down (much faster trip with clear roads) and at 4 p.m., he reported his toes still being numb.

Meanwhile: A went to work.

That just looks cold

And on the first day of the new year, and the last day before H had to go back to work, it was back to being cloudy and windy with really flat light.  Not quite as cold as Tuesday, but with no help from the sun.  He noticed that it did seem less crowded: all this past week, the lodge's cafeteria area had been filling up by 7:30 a.m., but not so much so on 1/1/25.  When he got home, he declared that of the now thirteen days he's skied, A would have enjoyed none of them.

Moody Superior across the parking lot

Meanwhile: A didn't have to go to work, so she and Milton did a 3.25 mile walk, vacuumed, took down Christmas and made black eyed peas, collard greens and cornbread for dinner.

the week in skiing (2)

 And then the Christmas vacationers arrived in-force.  At 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, H scored one of the last seats on the then-SRO bus up to Alta.  They got to Goldminer's Daughter/Wildcat Base area at 7:25, where it was snowing hard; by 9:45, the lifts still weren't open (usually 9:15).  The winds had loaded up the snow requiring widespread avalanche control, which meant delays in opening.  Plus all the vacationers meant massive lines.  By 11:10, only Collins and Wildcat lifts were open and H had only managed to take ONE run.  In the clouds and the wind and on the hard snow, and on only one trail (Mambo).  So he cut his losses, jumping on the 11:39 a.m. bus.  He wasn't the only one calling it quits: he said the locker room was full of locals/regulars packing up and heading out.

Meanwhile, A walked twice with Milton, did some take-home work, food-prepped for Sunday and made vegetable broth, green-chile stew and chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting.

Look at the lines.  Jeez.

There was some new snow overnight and H's early bus was completely full, SRO, when he got on.  "Dang tourists," was his text to me.  People were out in line early over an hour before the lifts opened.  Still, the lines got super long at Collins - it was almost before they got Sugarloaf open and 1 p.m. for Supreme - and by 10:30, he'd only managed two runs.  He fought through it, battling the lines and the hard, wind-packed snow, until the 2:39 p.m. bus.  He was rather hungry by the time he got home.  The afternoon's quote: "Of the ten days I've skied so far this season, you would have liked none of them."

Date-walnut

Meanwhile, A did a long walk with Milton, finished her take-home work, made a date-walnut loaf cake  (a little overbaked but yummy when you get a date) and finished the vegan lentil-veg Wellington for dinner (time-consuming but not difficult, and pretty tasty).  

Vegan Wellington

the week in skiing (1)

As he usually does, H takes the week between Christmas and New Year's off to go skiing.  On Boxing Day (12/26), he hopped on the early bus (6:30 a.m., which is not actually the earliest bus, if you can imagine) and went on up to Alta.  The bus was not full.  It was snowing hard when he arrived at Wildcat Base/Goldminer's Daughter Lodge but it tapered off by the time the lifts started turning and was just windy.  And flat light.  The snow was not great, as the first decent storm system had not yet arrived in the Wasatch Front, and there was a definite uptick in "doofuses" a/k/a Christmas week tourists.  Alta finally has the Supreme lift open and he did a couple of runs there but the conditions are thin at best.

Meanwhile: A went to work.

That is some FLAT light

On Friday (12/27), H was back on the fullish early bus.  It snowed all day at Alta, but the snow was variable - sleet-y, graupel, big wet flakes).  It was windy on the Sugarloaf lift, which meant the Supreme lift got busy, despite the thin cover there.  He noticed lots more tourists - folks must have been traveling on Thursday.  H got two mustache compliments and a third guy admiringly commented on his [very] old school Columbia parka.  He left a little early, catching the 1:09 bus down canyon, and there was only one seat left; he figured folks were hoping to avoid the red snake of stopped down canyon traffic later.  The roads were well covered with snow and slush to Tanner's Flat, and then wet but clear from then on.

Meanwhile: A went to work.

Yay snow (but ugh visibility)

christmas in the desert (2)

It was absolutely gorgeous Monday morning (not least because we weren't at work).  Once it warmed up, Milton and I prevailed upon H to do a short hike with us.  We drove north out of town, then parked in the large-ish lot between the highway and the bike path before you get to Moab Brand Trails.  This is where the MTB trail Killer B can be accessed.  

Heading up Killer B

Longbranch

We went up Killer B (very steep switchbacks or an alternate hiking trail) to Longbranch (I really liked this stretch with its varied terrain) to a short stretch of Deadman's Ridge, which dropped quickly to the paved bike path.  We walked down the paved path - keeping an eye out for descending cyclists (of which there were none) - and then jumped on a short portion of Sidewinder, then finished up our loop on the paved path.  We had never done any of Longbranch, Deadman's Ridge or Sidewinder before so it was good to tick some of those off; we just need to finish the other bits of DMR and SW to have done all the trails at Moab Brand Trails, either on foot or on MTB.  (Distance: 4.11 miles)

Teeny arch at the Long Branch

and Deadman's Ridge intersection

It was a little cloudier Christmas Eve day.  H wanted to trail run and Milton, refusing to admit to any cumulative fatigue, wanted to go with him.  We all three went up to Sandflats Recreation Area where we had to share the Slickrock parking lot with all of four other vehicles - and only saw one dirtbiker while we were out on the actual trail.  H and Milt did a five mile run while A did an hour's hike, out just past the Abyss overlook and back.  (A also gashed her finger on a port-o-potty slide bolt and WOW let me tell you that it stung to rub hand sanitizer into it.)

At the Abyss overlook

We swung by Josie Wyatt's for a couple of $2 PBRs (Woody's being closed Xmas Eve and Xmas Day) and then that was about the end of it.  In the morning, we called our families to wish them merry things, did a 3.1 mile town walk, cleaned the house and then headed north to SLC.  There was weather due to come in but we avoided it and, being Christmas, the traffic was really quite light for the drive.  

Comin' in hot

It was about as un-Christmas-y as you could possibly get, with low key trail time, beers with friends and lots of crossword puzzles and reading.  But it was also relaxing and quiet and pressure-free - which is the greatest gift of all.

christmas in the desert (1)

 As everyone knows, Christmas was on a Wednesday in 2024.  Which is a silly day to have a holiday because it is very difficult to make a long weekend out of it.  We managed, however, with some creative work hours for A later in the week, and were back in Moab from December 20-25.  We drove down Friday morning, waiting for the sun to come up and the mule deer to clear out of the roadside in Spanish Fork Canyon.  Although it was a little weather-ish in northern Utah, it was clearing and pretty dang nice in Moab.

Cutie little dinosaur in town

Once we got unpacked, Milton and H got on Pipe Dream for a four mile trail run, which A did an hour-long town walk to finish up some errands plus get some exercise in.  That evening, we three went next door to our neighor's for solstice soup (and beers) with friends.  

That's a view

After it warmed up a bit Saturday morning, H did another Pipe Dream trail run (five miles).  A and Milton joined our neighbor and her dog for a hike out at Mill Canyon.  We drove out the Mill Canyon road towards Tushar Tunnel a little ways, then parked and tromped around on old 4x4 roads looking for views.  We found them, along with range cows, a big ol' jackrabbit that the dogs chased and a whole bunch of porcupine tracks - that the dogs fortuntely had no interest in.  We were both surprised that porcupines might be out there in the desert with nothing but twisted juniper trees, but later learned that those critters are indeed found throughout the state.  Who knew?!

Sunday was a little overcast, so H, A and Milton just went back to Pipe Dream: H and M did a six mile run and A did a 4+ mile walk.  We end up at Pipe Dream a lot in the winter but sometimes we just don't want to drive to a trailhead.

whither weather

Slow start to winter in northern Utah, looks like.  I hope all the Christmas vacationers have brought their rock skis.  Here's the weather forecast up to Xmas Eve:

H was saying that the conditions haven't been horrific because there haven't been many people skiing on the reduced available terrain.  It will be much worse when all the tourists come and there's double+ the number of people on that same reduced terrain.  Maybe Santa will bring some snow for the good little girls and boys.

auld lang syne

 Even though "winter" has "begun," the snow is pretty sparse around here.  And folks (skiers, people who use water) are nervous about it.  The horrific inversion/air pollution moved out finally, thank goodness, but the snowstorms are still underdelivering.  Friday brought 9-12" inches, and another 5ish over the weekend, bringing Alta's YTD total to 105" with a 38" base depth.  That's still not nearly enough.  Alta is really rocky.

So, Saturday, H took the early bus up - not crowded, mostly employees - and hung out with the locker room regulars until the lifts opened.  It was cold and windy and lightly snowing all day.  The Supreme lift is still not open and it is still considered "early season" conditions.

Meanwhile, A and M did a 5k morning walk, and then hung around the house doing chores and awaiting the arrival of A's college roommate, Jennie, her husband Josh (both in town from Boulder, CO) and their oldest son, W, who has scored a liftie job at Alta for the season.  W was an A-Basin liftie last year and Alta has been on his liist of Places to Ski and Work.  The gang showed up late morning, did some car rearranging, and then headed off again for a quick lunch and to drop W at Alta.  Later, they reported three cars off the canyon road on the way up.  The snow had stopped by the time they were done getting W settled in.

Small storm situation

Milton was once again perplexed at having overnight guests, keeping a watchful eye on us all from his crate.  But it was really, really nice to catch up with Jennie and Josh - I saw her about five years ago but I haven't seen him since their wedding - and to hear about their lives.  They are skiers and hikers and bikers too, so we picked up some inside information on some good potential future trips.

H took off early Sunday to catch the ski bus; Jennie and Josh dropped W's car at the longterm ski area employee lot and Ubered to the airport.  That left A and Milton to do a Dimple Dell walk, get caught up on laundry, bake dark chocolate oat scones and make a red curry noodle soup for dinner.  When H got home, he was chilled: although the sun had come out late morning in the valley, it stayed socked in (terrible visibility) and cold (but not as cold as Saturday) up at Alta - the problem was standing in the lift line for an additional 20+ minutes for an undisclosed late-opening reason, and he never got warm again.  Back at home, he said that of the six ski days he's had so far, I wouldn't have liked any of them.  So I guess that's some justification for not getting a ski pass, at least for now.

the same only different

 Sunday morning didn't bring any new snow but some weather vagary had scoured the air pollution out of the valley for the morning, which was really, really nice.  Milton and I did a slightly longer walk, with some off-leash zoomies in an elementary school playground.  When we got home, I was a little at a loss as to what to do with myself, what with the clean house and the up Christmas tree.  I soon made myself a list and started checking things off: more laundry; baking dog cookies; roasting a butternut squash (a CSA holdover); starting a Liqueur 44 infusion; finishing holiday cards; dehydrating unused fresh rosemary and thyme (leftover from the savory bread pudding); and making leek and potato soup for dinner.

Meanwhile, H took his first ski bus ride of the year to Alta.  It was not crowded.  The snow conditions were unchanged from Saturday, but weather-wise it was cloudier, windier and colder.  My goodness we need snow.  And there is just nothing in the foreseeable forecast.  I hope it's not going to be another one of those years.

All the other lifts are open though

friendsgiving

 Traditional Thanksgiving can be awkward eating-wise for vegans.  So when your vegan-friendly friends say they're available the weekend after T'giving for a vegan T'giving meal, you jump all over that.

But first, H went skiing.  Since the last we'd seen said that the ski bus wasn't going to start until 12/13, he drove up.  Of course, there was a ski bus there and when H went to talk to the driver, he found out that the ski bus has in fact been running since the previous week.  Good to know.  There has been no new snow since the Tuesday before (real) Thanksgiving so the conditions were thin and hard.  Being up above the smoggy inversion in the Salt Lake Valley was a nice change, however - being able to see the sun and breathe clean air.  H reported that most chairlift conversations centered around how big a shitshow Christmas week - with all its tourist families - is going to be if we don't get some snow.

No smog up here.  Also no snow, really.

Meanwhile, down in said smoggy valley, Milton and I did a shortened walk, needing the exercise but not wanting to breathe the air longer than necessary.  Then there was a flurry of vacuuming, bathroom cleaning, holiday decorating and clean laundry putting-away-ing.  I had prepped food the night before, so when our friends E and K, and their eight year old terrier mix Stevie arrived late afternoon, things sort of ran on autopilot, allowing us to catch up.  Milton and Stevie get along well, although Milt seemed completely mystified, watching her act like an actual dog: sniffing every inch of every room, getting the zoomies in the basement, getting up on all the couches and chairs, playing with a squeaking stuffie and snacking on whatever anyone dropped on the floor.

Milt, H and Stevie

I can't believe I didn't get any photos of dinner but it was really quite good (if I say so myself).  We had roasted acorn squash, carmelized leek bread pudding (a/k/a stuffing/dressing), mashed potatoes and gravy and cranberry-orange relish.  Dessert was from all-vegan restaurant and bakery Sweet Hazel: key lime pielette, German chocolate cakelette and a giant frosted sugar cookie.  It was a really nice evening for which we are thankful.

thanksgiving recap

 Another Thanksgiving in Moab has come and gone.  We didn't break any new ground but we did cover a fair bit of ground, so that's good.  We drove down Tuesday night and the weather was ... not great.  It was raining and spitting snow basically from Spanish Fork to Moab but we really lucked out in that there wasn't any snow accumulation - not even slush - on the roads.  And because we drove down Tuesday, the traffic wasn't that bad.  When we got to Moab, we caught up with our neighbor over beers while the house warmed up: she confirmed that it had rained all day.  The puddles and the wet trails throughout the weekend confirmed that.

Delightful weather outside of Green River

But then the storm system moved out, faster than expected - it was supposed to have dropped 2-3 feet of snow in the Utah mountains but hit Colorado instead - and we had gorgeous (and cold) weather for the holiday.  On Wednesday, we had trail time on Pipedream (3.4 miles for A; 4.15 miles for H and M) and bar time at Woody's, where it was a very local crowd.  Thursday, H and M did another six miles on Pipedream and then we all did a Middle Earth hike, away from the holiday crowds.

Good job, little 2016 Crosstrek!

By Friday we were up for triple sessioning: a return to Delicate Arch for A and H (3.7 miles), then up to Sand Flats so Milton could get some trail time too (3.1 miles), then over to Josie Wyatt's ($2/PBRs).  Saturday morning we braved the mid 20s F cold and did an early morning Moab Rim hike, stomping up the "Moab Stairmaster" trail and then out to the overhead arch off the jeep road.  We went back down the 4x4 road, pausing to watch a couple of Jeeps navigating the Devil's Crack obstacle - nerve-wracking, that.

The overhead arch

And that was about it.  Unsure about the holiday traffic, we left early Sunday morning.  The sun was out, the roads were clear and the traffic was actually light, so we made good time getting back to SLC.  And now it's December - how is that even possible?