Bushwhack Adventure Land 1/21/2012

[eatskisleep]

(also posted this on T4T)

Viburnum alnifolium aka Hobblebush aka Scrub brush aka pucker brush... at least that's what I decided to call the stuff. Correct me if I am wrong, I am curious to the actual name of this stuff and that is what I found online. Another thing some people call that brush would be "annoying" but that's all part of the fun for early season skiing!

The technique to skiing it is point your tips down the fall-line and cover your face and hope you make it through... it has about a 95% success rate

The annoying plant that can make turning in the woods real fun

Got my gear ready the night before, out the door at 5:30am.

Anyways, we started the tour at just after 9am, some snow falling from the sky. Temp was about 5 degrees at the base, pretty warm compared to what was probably up high…

Only about 1" of snow on top of a 2" base. About 30+ downed trees to cross; my estimate might be low too.

Hike up, starting to look a little like winter.

Weird icicles, anyone know the name for these?

A look up at what we would soon be coming down, with our good friend Hobblebush.

What’s this?

Continuing up in elevation, the snow continues to pile up.

Higher we go.

Time for some skiing pictures
Pretty clear pictures of Austin from my phone

Funny facial expression

Austin’s tracks

My tracks

Austin got a few pictures of me from his phone too

 

[eatskisleep]

The lower we got on the mountain, the more Hobblebush that appeared, trying to grab our skis in any way possible.

In some cases, it became a game of Where’s Waldo

But to avoid that, it is better to just carry some speed and plow right through them

Austin starts to encounter some Hobblebush too

But the worst was yet to come on the Adventure Land bushwhack back to base elevation

How about three videos from the day too:

View in HD here:
http://youtu.be/QSjXNeh7LSY?hd=1





Ended up doing 3 runs while there. There was a pretty good base and some fresh powder up top so that made it worth it. I can’t wait to go back once we get more snow and do even more exploring.

 

[Glenn]

That's a cool TR. Looks like a ton of fun.

 

[snowmonster]

Nice find! Looks like the backcountry is ready for exploring.

Hobblebush. So, that's what they call that. I call them nutcrackers because I tend to ski over them and they hit me in the...

 

[emmaurice2]

Great report, looks like a beautiful place to explore. Thanks for all the pics and vids.

 

[threecy]

Nice shots...there's some great powder in that glade, even when other places nearby get wet/heavier stuff. Did you go all the way to the top spruce line, or were you dropping off the lower switchbacks?

 

[billski]

Love it. Looks like you had a blast. If it was me, and I had some summer time on my hands, I'd probably go up with a machete in the summer and carve a path through the brush.

Great pics, enjoyable day

 

[awf170]

Nice shots...there's some great powder in that glade, even when other places nearby get wet/heavier stuff. Did you go all the way to the top spruce line, or were you dropping off the lower switchbacks?

All the way to the top. The top 200 feet of vert were by far the best. Below that is where it got brushy.

Love it. Looks like you had a blast. If it was me, and I had some summer time on my hands, I'd probably go up with a machete in the summer and carve a path through the brush.

Great pics, enjoyable day

We probably will at some point. When I skied it last year there was always 5+ feet of base so I never noticed any of the brush, so I never thought it needed cleaning.

 

[awf170]

A look up at what we would soon be coming down, with our good friend Hobblebush.

Last January. The reason I didn't even think there was anything under there.

 

[bvibert]

Cool TR, looks like a lot of fun!

 

[eatskisleep]

Last January. The reason I didn't even think there was anything under there.

Good comparison, fun day of skiing :beer:

 

[threecy]

We probably will at some point. When I skied it last year there was always 5+ feet of base so I never noticed any of the brush, so I never thought it needed cleaning.

I'd urge caution on that...that's technically an abandoned trail, and the Forest Service, depending upon the district and land type, can come down very hard on anyone caught doing any sort of maintenance.

 

[bdfreetuna]

Nice TR !

No goggles though?

 

[bdfreetuna]

Nice TR !

No goggles though?

 

[Newpylong]

Snow snake brush, hehe. Looks real fun...

 

[Abubob]

What’s this?

It looks like a camera case. What was it? and what it wired to? Looks like a booby trap. Its funny what you find in the woods sometimes.

Excellent report btw. Look forward to more.


Mop wringer by Bob Misu, on Flickr found on the top of Mt Hale.

 

[jimmywilson69]

What’s this?

That is a Hunters Trap for trapping small game. my father in-law still traps. Luckily you didn't stick your finger in it!

 

[Abubob]

That is a Hunters Trap for trapping small game. my father in-law still traps. Luckily you didn't stick your finger in it!

Not this kinda trap?


Like my mind? by Bob Misu, on Flickr

 

[Warp Daddy]

Well done guys !!!!!

 

[eatskisleep]

Not this kinda trap?


Like my mind? by Bob Misu, on Flickr

I know I wouldn't want to encounter one of those while skiing! haha

Thanks for the info guys, glad you enjoy the pics!