After a 43 days without significant snowfall it was time to start getting creative. John Michael hit me up a couple days previous to go check out the iconic Terminal Cancer couloir in Nevada. After skiing breakable crust and windboard for the last month I was eager.
On a cause Sunday John Michael, Alec Nelson, Jeremy Collette and Christian Raguse picked me up at a casual 7am and we started the 3.5 hour drive.
(Backseat view entering the canyon)
We knew there was going to be snow in the chute but didn't realized how bare the rest of the Ruby's really where. The good news was this means we didn't have to walk on a road very far, we literally parked at the bottom of the run!
(First view of TC from the road)
(Up close and personal to the skiing slot canyon)
(Mellow staging area)
(Benefits of low tide: low tide)
After throwing our gear on, we walked down to a mellow creek crossing and tossed our skins up. It was very easy walking up the apron as most of the trees had either been burned or likely avalanched away. On that note, there is avalanche hazard on this run if there is a lot of snow. Here is a link to a great article by the Utah Avalanche Center talking about decision making for objectives, and Terminal Cancer in particular, click here.
As things got steeper we started to boot pack up to the actual couloir, there where some fun extracurricular boot pack lines to find some spice.
(Jeremy taking the spicier route just for funz)
From here we booted up and lay our eyes on one of the most beautiful coolies I have seen! People had skied it previously (Ryan Faye left a nice yellow surprise at the top) but that didn't really detract from the line.
(JM and Alex leading the charge in the lower part)
The whole boot up was stunning, it felt like we where in a desert slot canyon, well I guess we kind of where. There was blue ice deposits, and the rocks never ceased to amaze. If you like geology this whole experience was mind blowing.
(Rocks encased by other rock)
(More rocks)
(Ice flows with boys above)
At the top things where pretty thin from traffic and lack of snow, but toping out was well worth the view. We where able to perch on a ridge to the side and look at the back bowl that had some enticing lines for another day.
We all piled onto the top the the couloir ripping skins and putting helmets on while trying to to drop anything down either side. If you hadn't guessed it would be a rather unfortunate place to loose a ski.
We decided to downclimb a little to an ice platform as opposed to sidestepping a bunch of rocks.
(View of the back bowl)
Alec had his skis on first and looing down we noticed how tight the chute really was, so jump turns it would be.
(Alec looking majestic and stuff)
(The boys getting ready above me)
(That first hop turn feeling)
(Gooser in the end of the steeps)
(Myself somewhere in the coolie)
This was some of my favorite skiing all year, steep, jumpy chalk. You could really find a rythm of jumping down the hill and staying in the middle of the run. You didn't want to get to close to the walls or the rocks would bite. But damn was it tiring! We got done with the steep part and regrouped, from here we did some party shredding! The slope got a little mellower and the snow was even better!
(JM, Alec, and Jeremy let their boards eat!)
The last half of the run was awesome, great snow and massive walls. Coming out of the walls put a smile on my face and it seemed to do the same to everyone else.
After regrouping on more time it was pick your own adventure to the creek. Some people opting to ride the little waterfall, and some of us choosing to squeeze out the lasts bits of good snow on the west side of the apron.
(Jeremy once again opting for the waterfall option)
(All of the burnt trees at the bottom where really captivating)
When we go to the car where where all hot and happy, it was a great time taking off boots eating some food and watch people get stuck on the the road just below us.
(Jeremy and Nelly looking nice)
So the main reason we didn't ski anything in the back bowl or take another lap (other than being happily tired) was so we could check out some hot springs that JM had got some beta on. After a bumpy ride in the taco below a "dam that might collapse at any time" we found it! A killer way to end a killer day! Other than the 4 hour drive home of course)
(Perfect temp hot springs to finish off the day)
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