For the second year in a row while visiting Utah I’ve been able to hook up with the one and only Burritos and Snow. He knows Brighton Resort like the back of his hand, and this year he offered to take me into the sidecountry there. Much props also to @snowvols for letting me borrow his avy gear.
This would be my first real through-the-gates action. Strictly mellow sidecountry. No massive windlips or harrowing spines or near-death experiences but we did have to hike to get there, so I’m claiming it.
Pioneer peak, brighton UT
Our first run would be a test to see if conditions were good enough to go again, but the previous days’ weather was not favoring that. We took the lift up, went through the gates, and hiked up Pioneer peak.
It wasn’t a long hike, but I’d be lying if I said it was easy. I was in top-notch riding shape this year, but not at all prepared to hike at 9k feet with a board on my back. We reached our “summit” and took a quick breather, snapped a few photos, and got ready to drop.
After a short break, Burritos strapped in and led the way. I followed a few seconds later, dropping in between some trees where the snow was a little better and not as windswept.
Dropping in...
Once clear of the trees the snow was of varying quality: from decent to meh. One second you’d have a little bit of float and the next it was dust on crust or just plain old crust.
The descent
Below the treeline was a wide open bowl with the remnants of a 40 foot booter that some skiers had previously built (we did not hit). I caught up with Burritos for a second and he oriented me to the resort boundary.
Leading the way
The terrain flattened out and took us through a somewhat rutted out trail between some tightly packed trees…
Pushing the trees out of my way
Finally it opened up before the boundary line was in sight. By the time we made it back under the ropes my legs were pretty burned up.
Ducking the ropes to get back in-bounds
The whole adventure from drop-in to when we ducked back under the boundary ropes was about 4 minutes. It wasn’t the best conditions and I wasn’t in the best condition, but it was cool to get out there and do it, thanks again to Burritos and Logan for taking care of me out there.
If you’ve got a friend who’s willing to take you off-piste take him (or her) up on the offer.Also, I”d strongly recommend doubling up on the cardio and especially the leg workouts during the 4-6 weeks leading up to it.
