nordic ski tour - intro winter ski camping - April 7, 2012

Introductory ski camping trip in the western Uinta Mountains for those with little or no winter camping experience. Depending on the skiing ability within the group we will either ski into Soapstone basin or to Norway flats. We will head out into the mountains on Saturday morning and ski 4-5 miles, mostly on snowmobile-packed roads, to camp. Once at the campsite, we will discuss setting up a winter camp, then pitch tents and build a snow kitchen. With the rest of our afternoon we will do some beacon instruction/practice, discuss some winter camping strategies, and enjoy an afternoon in the mountains. Sunday morning we will make breakfast, break camp, and ski back to the trailhead. Although prior winter camping experience is not required, you must have some winter travel experience. Alpine or nordic touring or snowshoeing experience is preferred, but if you are a skilled resort or cross country skier, that is also OK. AT/tele and nordic skiers as well as splitboarders are welcome. For those on nordic skis, backcountry touring skis with metal edges are required. Waxless nordic skis will probably work better than waxable ski, but you will also need some skins (kicker or full) for off-trail travel. We will be traveling on relatively narrow, single-lane forest service roads, but if you can ski higher-end green runs and lower end blue runs at a resort you should be fine. Depending on our destination there may be a few flat to uphill spots on the way back to the car, which could be an inconvenience for splitboarders and AT skiers. You will need to have or rent appropriate equipment to keep you warm and comfortable spending the night in the mountains where the lows may easily be around 10F or colder. I have a stove, but depending on group size we will probably need to bring several more. You will also need to provide your own shelter (we will not be building snow caves). We will not be traveling in high angle terrain so prior experience with avalanche equipment is not required, but you will need to bring a beacon, probe, and shovel. It is possible to rent much of this equipment. Please contact Glen for more trip details and to discuss gear.

Level:MOD
Miles:10.0
Vertical:1700'
Route:Out & Back
Pace:Slow
Organizer:Glen Mackey
Phone:540-529-4907
Date:Sat Apr 7 2012 — Sun Apr 8 2012
Meeting Place:Registration required