3-2-11 Fish Lake 11-13m... Killed it!

[windzup]

Had another best day ever for the season at Fish Lake. New powder that was untracked awaited our 4 man alpine assault team. Sleds were on the trailhead in the 10 am range, and then we flew at 50mph for the next 15 miles, inserting our team into high alpine terrain. A quick regroup at the empty cabin, and we were ready to attack.

We spread out, sneaking our sleds into windy launch zones, each taking a different angle of approach. Marty has his 11 Edge inflated, by the time Chasta and I eat lunch and get our 13 foils unrolled. Instantly we are swarming around the based of Mt. Terrill when the call went out: "CHARGE!!! Take the HILL!" ...

All I heard was attack! So I began looping my gun, directing the power up the south east face. Chasta ducked right to avoid a rock band and I slipped in behind him. We made our way towards the summit and packed our kites just below the 11,500 rock strewn summit.

After snowboarding down, and realizing the mountain was defenseless against our multi-colored tools of love, we decided not to attack again. This time we embraced, and the mountain revealed its love with hidden powder bowls, tree runs, half pipes and wind lip hits of every size and direction. After playing around the upper slopes, we gained even more ground, discovering a route to the summit. Boogy followed Chasta who was hot on my tails. From the summit one can see everything from Skyline to Mt. Holly to the eastern deserts.

We chose a new route to descend, after packing our foils into our packs. Awesome pow run, thru trees and almost all the way back to the cabin (over a mile long run). Back to the Cabin for sammies and brew. Watched the snow storm roll in and pass by within the hour. Sun beckoned us from our reprieve and said, go north my boys. We sledded around, finding new areas and routes. Chasta, Marty and Boogy kited a gully to bowl area on the western flank of Mt. Terrill. Then traversed back to the main face for more playtime in the sun.

As we packed up, the smiles were stuck to our helmets... and like little kiddies we couldn't seem to keep the sleds straight for the next 20 miles.

Powder, Adventure, Wind, Mountains... Mission Accomplished. Fish Lake is a stand out favorite spot for me now, possibly because its not a 'gimmee' and it must be earned... and partly because it has such a short & special season. Here's to Central Utah Snowkiting!

Windzup,
Brian Schenck