Lolo Peak - The Trifecta

There are few moments in life that will stay with you forever without requiring too much thought. Maybe that's why I didn't rush to complete this post, for this was just one of those trips that aren't soon forgotten. Perfect blue sky, three great ski runs, with three great guys (I'm counting myself as a great guy in this situation.) 

I'll start off with just a hand full of pictures from yet another tour I did to Storm Lake with a good friend Mike Shilling. This time big winds and super variable snow conditions, and yet still a great time? That seems to be the case in this ski touring life...

Mt. Tiny (third time) tour 11.17.2013

"Boss Hog" with home-made utility sled, which turned out to be an all-out death trap.

'Little Rainbow'

Mike, making our way up Mt. Tiny

Looking down from about half-way up Mt. Tiny

Mt. Tiny

Little Rainbow

Mike working the treed section!

Lolo Peak (North, Proper, & Carlton Ridge) tour. 11.23.2013

Distance: 12 miles

Vertical: 5,400ft

As I was billowing on earlier, memories encapsulated in moments like these are not soon forgotten. I've recently teamed up with Dave Glueckert, author of www.GetOutRideHard.blogspot.com . Definitely a mountain goat that knows his stuff. In addition Matt Strohl who adds copious amounts of energy and genuine stoke factor to any trip. 

Matt and Dave plowing through the 'deep' 

Sometimes it difficult to remember there are great views behind, just need to turn around!

We were greeted with a gorgeous and pleasant road conditions all the way to the trail-head. Walked maybe half a mile before enough snow granted us the privilege of skinning. After making quick work up the well tracked out Carlton Ridge, we made our way down to the lake below North Lolo Peak. 

Split-boarders showcasing their skiing abilities!

Let the skiing fantasizing begin.

Approx. route of our second run of the day, exceptional wind effect to be had here. 

Looking over the shoulder of North Lolo Peak, gang of snow-lovers in the foreground.

Looking out toward Missoula!

Lolo Proper as viewed from North Lolo Peak

Eyeing those beautiful curves.

Top of Lolo Proper

Down to the valley.

If you look closely, you can see Dave and Captain on the ridge.

It's an art.

After our first [amazing] run down Lolo Proper, I had the delightful experience of showing Matt and Dave the wonders of a genuine military MRE. We had our hot lunch with other goodies before we followed a skin track laid by Blake up and out of the bowl behind North Lolo. "Difficult" might be the word for this route? Although probably the most efficient way out, still led to some steep and difficult kick turns. The 185cm Armada JJs, didn't help the cause much. 

Looking back as we made our way up and out.

This was my first run of the day, what an absolute 'hoot'

Above was my first of three runs for the day. Matt and Dave opted to ride a sick line in the 'pit' of the ridge there. I proceeded to the top of Lolo Proper and dropped in, riding some snow that made me laugh with a mentally concerning abundance of joy; probably good no one was around to hear. I then arrived at the base just in time to see Matt and Dave rip some crazy good turns and see Captain (Dave's snow monger of a dog) tearing down right behind them. (See video) 

Captain

Looking back up at our second run.

The second run down the face of North Lolo led some to be desired. Just as I stopped, almost at the end, giving a quick chat with Dave, ka-blam; soft pliable snow swishing and swooshing beneath my skis upon take-off!

Working our way back over Carlton Ridge for our third run.

We knew we had skimped on daylight, and thanks to good planning, we all had our head lamps. 

It was a long, and fantastically great day that I will remember for a long while. It's hard to remind myself the season has just begun and most ski areas are only on the cusp of opening their doors. Meanwhile we've been logging in some good amazing turns.  It's going to be quite the season I think.

Thanks for looking, 

-Miles Granger

Storm Lake / Mt. Tiny Tour

What a Good GREAT tour!

Some air-ski-guitar action was deemed necessary, although apparently not impressive to Dave's dog Captain.

On this trip I had the great pleasure of meeting up with Dave Glueckert, author of an outstanding blog GetOutRideHard.blogspot.com Also met up with another swell individual Scott S. It's always a fantastic experience meeting others that share a semi-self-destructive addiction to backcountry shenanigans. 

"Little Rainbow Mountain" with Storm Lake in the foreground.

Snow had once again christened the Pintler Wilderness, thus the only just and respectful course of action is to return the Storm Lake area. Albeit, Hoodoo Pass was on the chopping block, however early information reporting no/little base to be had there. I s'pose this is a fair result since SNOTEL stats had snow level jumping from 3-4" to 16" @ ~6,000ft  in a matter of about a week.

Dave Glueckert eyeing the prize.

All this led us to either Haggin Mountain, or Storm Lake. Early season conditions evident upon entering Anaconda precluded us from Haggin and left it for another day. Sometimes Ms. Nature just plans the trip for you, if you listen. In this case, she guided us back to Storm Lake, and was a great decision on her part.

Approaching our first prospective chute.

After making good time up the road and through the lightly forested area around Storm Lake, we came on what we thought was going to be a shoe-in for our first chute. As it turns out, we experienced some of the loudest 'whomps' we've ever heard. ('whomp' = sound area of snow makes as it settles/collapses atop a weaker layer) We dug a couple pits, mildly concerning results, then topped off with one last whomp that made our stomachs sink; sent us scurrying away for Mt. Tiny... which served us very well in the end.

Scoping first chute.

Making our way to Mt. Tiny

Ninja style the way up; btw I 'hate' the color orange. :)

Dave and Captain blazin trail to the pass.

New (to me) Armada JJ's waiting to slay some 'gnar'

Storm Lake Pass

Looking South-ish over the pass.

Dave and Captain

South side of Mt. Tiny, gnarly trail as well.

Dave and Scott talking 'shop'. 

Scott on the side of Tiny.

Making our way across and onto Mt. Tiny treated us with spectacular views, and good exercise. Light weather clouds blowing over Tiny gave way to inspirational 'this is the life' moments only available during trips like this one.

Captain, an unbelievable snow dog!

Turns down Tiny.

After reaching the bottom we heard yells billowing across the basin from some individuals we saw earlier making their way up a chute on Little Rainbow Mountain. Turns out it was Phillip Midbøe, a friend and gentleman from Norway finding some paradise in Montana. With about an hour to use before we needed to turn back, we thought it was only fair to use their foot holds up the chute as they used our skin tracks in. :) 

Making our way up the chute.

It soon became very evident my legs were absolutely shot, (chalk it up to early season?) it was all I could do just to string together a few turns to get back down.. that 'deep snow burn' that hurts so good. :)

Dave killing it on the way down.

Wrestling some leg burning turns on the way down, lucky for me, and you... my GoPro was full by then and thus there is no video footage to document just how boring this was to watch!

More clouds over Tiny on the way out.

Thanks for looking! 

-Miles Granger