June 5, 2010, Chinook Pass

Had planned Crystal but stopped by Wapiti to grab an espresso and say 'Hi' to Bill and he advised to try Chinook.

Wow - what a beautiful drive! It would have been worth it even just for this.

In the first parking lot (around 1 pm) got some beta from a group who had finished for the day, and moving to the other (recommended) side, I met TAY's Steve and his son Peter (I rode down with them on Crystal Fest).

Skin up was not the most pleasant - some side slips, even fell once, and then many people who descended started slushies; it was a slushie or two per descending person! (Except one guy who was good so he was just going down with almost no turns). I stayed on the side and waited. One of them fell and had to wait quite a bit to get up / seemed to struggle... Didn't look very encouraging.

On the ridge I thought it was magnificent! Met 2 guys, one of them with a foreign accent, who were coming from the back side. Since I was by myself, they advised me to stay on the front and I thought I should listen. Spent some time on the ridge just looking around, relaxing, enjoying my snacks and snapping some photos.

Ski down was good on top as I was able to find some untracked, which was also *kinda* North-facing so not wet and heavy. Then the face to the lot was torn and heavy, not as much fun but still light-years better than staying home :)

Also saw a boarder shred several laps, he was booting strong. Looking at him, I thought my board would have been more fun than the skis on the descent today.

New Gregory Targhee pack seemed to carry very well, but I really didn't have a chance / need to carry skis...

Cheers
Ivo