First Turns 2012-13
Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 01:47AM 
Looking out across Crow Pass to Eagle RiverWe wait all summer and fall for them – those first turns of the year. Temperatures cool and we watch the hills after every storm to see what they call in Alaska, “Termination Dust”. Kinda funny. Well, the dust has been plentiful and, truth be told, first turns were had by many following a storm on September 31st.
I got the taunting texted pictures of the goods while I was vacationing back home in Jackson. It was sunny and dry there, just what I needed after a wet summer in AK. But the images of the powder had me looking forward to getting back north.
A few more storms have come through and then the long-anticipated high pressure that we failed to get this summer finally arrived. It even coincided with a weekend. Crazy. So, I rummaged around the gear room and got my kit together and, after sleeping in and having a leisurely morning today, I hit the road for Girdwood around 10:30 am.
I was heading for Crow Creek Pass trailhead where the track would lead me to the Jewel Glacier, a mellow, minimally crevassed glacier that serves as the launching point of the season for many locals.
A couple more storms and these lines should be ripeIn typical Teton style, I headed up the trail in my ski boots. I heard that the approach to the snow was about an hour but I was able to start skinning after only 30 minutes or so. There were a few rocks but I gingerly avoided them while making my way to the glacier. I passed a few others and one guy indicated that I was, indeed, headed in the right direction.
No freshies todayI finally crested the slope to see the amply farmed snowfield in full view. There were probably a dozen other skiers and snow boarders plodding upward. There was a light breeze, which affected the powder slightly, but it seemed like the turns would be worthy.
After about 20 minutes I was ripping skins in front of 6 others who were doing the usual chatting, changing layers, donning goggles, etc. I was quite warm from the effort so I just locked down and pushed off. The snow was fun, not quite blower, but good enough. The hard summer snow could be felt underneath every few turns. After only 30-40 seconds I was back in the sun and getting skins on for another lap.
More and more folks arrived. Lot’s of telemarkers and ‘boarders. Some poor bastards booting. I did two more laps and then headed over to the north face of Jewel Mountain that offered a steeper line and a few hundred feet more of vert. No one was over there but a couple of skiers had hit the line a day or two before.
Jewel Mountain nearbyIt was windy and chilly on top and I put on a wind layer before heading down. I center-punched the top snowfield and then traversed over to a shot between some rocks. I felt the old snow underneath but the added pitch was fun, nonetheless.
My lineAfter a few hours, my feet and ankles were feeling the novelty of skiing so I started back down. Although we skinned at least 1,000 vertical of the approach, it was thin and the descent was all booting. It was tedious in the sharp talus at times but once on the main trail walking was painless. Probably only took 45 minutes to get back to the car.
The Milk GlacierSadly, I forgot my watch so I don’t really know what kind of vertical I got. Somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, I guess. Best of all was getting a look at the adjacent Milk Glacier and the surrounding terrain. I’ll be back but not before we get more snow so we can ski back to the car. Walking is for the summer and winter is here, dammit.
Chugach, back country skiing in Alaska Winter
Reader Comments (8)
Seems life is good up north :-)
Hey Dane,
Honestly, the jury is out on AK. It was what they call a "culling" summer this year with tons of rain. Not great for getting out. I spent a lot of time wallowing around in the mud and rain. What are you gonna do? This winter will tell the tale for me.
The thing is, there's no doubt that AK has the best skiing mountains in the world. But that's a total head fake for the uninitiated. We don't get tons of snow because the weather is splitter all the time. For a work-a-day stiff like me, the chances of getting good weather, a day off and great snow coming together is slim. Then there's the fact that the best terrain is hours away. That shit you see in the movies? Not typical. Big chunks of time off and a trust fund will see you getting the goods when it's ripe. For the rest of us, it's a crap shoot.
I'll keep you posted.
Nice and early. So I am curious if you ever pulled the trigger on some Manaslus? Did you opt for the shorter length?
Well, Tyler, I guess I'm letting the cat out of the bag a bit as I will do a post on this topic soon. I actually meant to do something at the end of last season on the Manaslus as I did get a pair in the 178cm length. I put race bindings on them so they're still damn light. You can really go fast on them!
But the real scandal for me is what I just bought for the resort at Alyeska and for the possible heli trip I might do once this spring. DPS 112 Carbon. <GASP> I know, unthinkable. But what the hell. I'll at least see what all the fuss is about. Better not blow my knee, though. Damn big levers. I'll let you know.
I feel lost! 178cm? Think of all that weight! You might as well slap a BD sticker on all your gear because it is clearly all about the down! :)
You trading in your race suit for a baggy one piece?
I am looking forward to write up on the Manaslu, would like to hear your opinion. l hope you dig the DPS skis.
Ouch, Tyler, that hurts! Isn't it enough to have race binders on them?? Really, it's still stupid light and totally cheating compared to most. The thing is, when I have those skis on I'm usually skiing with someone not clued in so it really doesn't matter. I'm going slower so the heavier set up makes me work more and I don't freeze. No way will I buy any baggy clothes, although a one-piece sounds sexy. Hmmmm....maybe I can get one in fuschia.
Which Race Bindings did you put on the Manaslu? Any problems/concerns in your mind with a race binding on your powder ski?
For me, there is really only one brand choice right now and that is the Plum Race 145/165. I put the 165 on so I can use a different boot someday if I want.
As for using a race binding on a powder ski....I see no problem. Few things are easier on a ski/binding combo to my mind than powder skiing. And there's no easier skiing, period. The combo works great and the set up stays very light.