Ski mountaineering – Sun Valley Trekking

Early December Report from the Huts

Bench Hut, Boulder Yurts, Huts and Yurts, Pioneer Yurts, SVT Scene Comments Off

Dec 102017

Steep Powder in the Bench Lakes Basin

We are just returning from a 4 hut tour on the annual Apprentice Orientation. Every year, we spend the first 2 weeks of December skiing from hut to hut with the goal of opening each hut for the winter season and conducting training with the new apprentice guides. Here’s a report for what we are finding out there:

Sawtooth: We began the orientation in the Sawtooth where we skied from the Fishhook Yurt to the Bench Hut. The approach to both Fishhook and Bench are characterized by relatively thin but very supportive snow pack in the lower elevations allowing for fairly easy skinning. At Bench Hut, we were seeing 95cm snow pack that rapidly deepened to 140cm in the Bench Lakes Basin above. While we were there 30cm of snow fell and we found excellent powder skiing and good stability.

Boulder Yurt: The approach track is in and provides easy skiing through the meadows on the way in. It’s still a bit thin in the bowls above the yurt, but careful route-finding can reward skiers with powder turns.

Pioneer Yurt: As of today, you can drive to the summer trailhead and ski all the way to the yurt. The rain crust from a couple weeks ago as made for an extremely supportive snow pack that resembles a thin spring snow pack more than an early December snow pack. Once at Yurt level (8700′) the coverage is actually pretty good for this time of year (60-100cm depending on location). We generally found widespread wind affect on the surface. Once we get a resurfacing with the next snowfall, we hope to find some excellent conditions on a supportive base.

Coyote and Tornak: We are heading up there next and will report back with conditions later in the week.

We hope you are enjoying the early season and getting out with your friends. All the huts are looking great and we are excited for the awesome season ahead!

Snowboards always seem to get more faceshots!

All smiles after the first powder shot in the Sawtooth

ah, that wonderful feeling of laying down arcs in the dry powder!

Skinning above the Bench Hut on a cold December morning

Cranking turns through the fresh on the Triangle

The Apprentice team at Fishhook Yurt

Arriving at Bench Hut to open her up for the season

4th lake above Bench hut

Climbing to Yo Yo Ma

Welcome to the Sawtooth!

Climbing toward Dave Dog Peak with the Monolith Basin in the background

a solid strike at the Boulder Yurt

Fun and games at the Pioneer Yurt

Apres ski in a cozy Pioneer Yurt

Climbing to the moon

Felt like spring-time up in the Pioneers over the past couple of days

Coverage in the Pios

What a place!

Julie, stoked to discover the Pioneers

Skiing the beautiful meadows on the way to the Boulder Yurt

Skiing in Antarctica!

Antarctica, Expeditions 1 Response »

Nov 192017

Sun Valley Trekking guide, Joe St.Onge, has just returned from another truly epic journey to ski in Antarctica. This is the second expedition that we have undertaken with our partners at Ice Axe Expeditions to take skiers down to the icy continent. Each year, Ice Axe has contracted the 330′ Ocean Adventurer to take a group intrepid skiers and guides to explore the fairy-tale mountain landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula. We began this journey with skiing in Tierra del Fuego and then boarded the boat to cross the notorious Drake Passage and made landfall in the stunning setting of Charlotte Bay. Each day we navigated through the icebergs and pack ice of the Gerlastch Straights and found landing points between the precipitous ice cliffs to shuttle the skiers via zodiacs. Once on land, we explored a magical landscape of peaks, massive glaciers and stupendous ski lines. We encountered penguins by the thousands, seals by the hundreds: including close encounters with the elusive Leopard Seals, Humpback Whales and even watched as a pod of 13 Orcas cruised through the massive ice bergs in search of seals! The wild life experience in Antarctica is truly breath-taking!! And the skiing? It was phenomenal! We found snow conditions ranging from perfect corn to legitimate powder skiing. We had 6 solid ski days including 2 days exploring the beautiful peaks on Livingston Island and King George Island in the South Shetlands. This is truly THE MOST AMAZING SKI TRIP on our planet. There is no place more wild, inspiring, stunning to behold and in peril than the continent of Antarctica. If you are a skier and have ever dreamed of visiting this amazing landscape, this is the trip for you. Don’t wait. Drop us a line if you would like to join Joe next year on the cruise, space is limited to a lucky few!

This gallery contains 100 photos

Sun Valley on Ice: 2016 Antarctica Ski Cruise

Antarctica, Expeditions, Uncategorized Comments Off

Nov 252016

Stoke level was high after this glorious ski and zodiac tour of the bay

On the morning of November 9th, 2016 the election in the United States was decided and we boarded a boat heading South from Tierra del Fuego. The Beagle Channel led the way to the great Southern Ocean and the infamous Drake Passage, known for the roughest seas in the world. Our goal was the great white continent of Antarctica, the largest wilderness on the planet and the only landmass not governed by a single nation. We left as skiers embarking on an adventure and returned forever touched by a land of un-imagined beauty and wildness.

Below are selection of pictures from the lenses of Sun Valley Trekking guides: Joe St.Onge and Christopher Marshall. Please click on the upper left photo to click through the pictures in chronological order with captions or simply scroll down to enjoy the collage from this magnificent expedition.

Sun Valley on Ice: 2016 Antarctica Ski Cruise

This gallery contains 130 photos

Peaks, Wild Flowers, Water Falls and Wild Life: The Pioneer Yurt is Open for the Summer!

Huts and Yurts, Pioneer Yurts, SVT Scene, Uncategorized Comments Off

Jun 172016

The new firepit provides a cozy gathering place to catch the evening alpinglow

We have just returned from the lofty Pionneer Mountains, high above Sun Valley. SVT guides: Joe St.Onge, Jon Preuss and Everett Coba trekked into the Pioneer Yurt to open the hut for it’s inaugural summer season. The trail in was cleared of downed timber, outdoor benches and a beautiful fire-pit were built and the yurt was set up for summer living.

After the work was completed, the peaks called for a journey into the alpine. We completed a mixed ascent/traverse of Cobb Peak, climbing perfect frozen snow/neve and aesthetic alpine rock. A classic alpine climb!

We hope the word gets out out about the Pioneer Yurt and the world class opportunities for wilderness, beauty and adventure that await visitors. The Yurt is open for reservations to both guided and self guided (DYI) groups throughout the summer and autumn seasons (and winter of course!). This is the ultimate adventure base-camp with cozy accommodations in the midst of pure alpine awesomeness.

Everett finding fun fluid movement on the west ridge

Choose your line on the plentiful holds high on Cobb

The summit of Cobb Peak offers beautiful quartzite for over a 1000′

From hand jams to in-cut face holds

The quartzite high on Cobb Peak is some of the oldest exposed rock in the state of Idaho

Stoked to summit after a fun mixed climb

It’s not uncommon to find lady bugs, gathered by the 100’s at the very summits of these 11-12,000′ peaks.

Descending the NE Ridge on the way toward Old Hyndman, a long and very exposed ridge traverse that is part of the “Triple Crown”, connecting Hyndman, Old Hyndman and Cobb

The new tables and benches look great in the yurt

This old porcupine has been chewing on the wood exterior of the sauna for years. I caught him in this photo when he was on his way over for his evening chew….

A yurt in it’s place

Hyndman Peak towers above the yurt: a perfect base-camp for climbing the tallest peaks in the Pioneers

The deck gathering spot for breakfast and evening coktails

The deck gathering spot for breakfast and evening cocktails

trekking above the yurts past waterfalls and slot canyons allows access to the alpine basins above

the snow has been rapidly melting, but there is still significant snow for climbing and glissading

Purple cliff dwellers on the ancient quartzite

Cramponing toward the north couloir on Cobb

JP, high in the North couloir

Everett, finding the flow on neve with one tool and crampons

Everett, finding the flow on neve with spikes on the feet and a ax in hand

What a setting

Boulder Mountains Ski Camp

Daily Powder Tours, Expeditions, Huts and Yurts, SVT Scene, Uncategorized Comments Off

Apr 212016

Arriving into the basin with all you need on your back

When the days are long, the nights are cold and the peaks are covered under a thick blanket of snow it’s time to traverse the big mountains. Every year we choose a destination from the plethora of beautiful mountains that surround our valley. The Sawtooth, White Cloud, Smokey, Pioneer and Boulder Mountains all hold phenomenal potential for wilderness ski traverses and ski camps. This year we decided to take advantage of perfect melt/freeze conditions and good high elevation coverage to explore the southern Boulder Mountains around the ghost town of Boulder City. While a bit sunburnt, we were not disappointed.

This steep south facing ridge-line held many beautiful lines like this one named “Jose Cuervo”

A room with a view

The Egret arcing the coombacks

fun turns back to camp

What a place to call home for a few days!

Nothing like a fire to warm the soul while winter camping

Comfy after the sun set around the fire

Artsy Alex shot

Lunch break at 11’000′ while waiting for the corn to soften

many aesthetic ridgelines surround the Boulder Basin with tons of ski lines

Alex in his Idahome

Alex carving

The Egret laying into the corn

Niels dropping

A happy crew

Whoop!

Spring fun

Climbing couloirs

Even found some powder on high elevation north shots, like this one dropping into the newly created Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness

The exit is getting a little thin in the low country

Sawtooth Spring Woodcut and Ski Extravaganza

Bench Hut, Fishhook Yurts, Guides Day Off, Huts and Yurts, SVT Scene Comments Off

Apr 112016

Getting ready to open it up

It’s a tradition, a physical ordeal and a right of passage. We call it the “woodcut” but it is much more than just a wood-cut. Every spring, we take advantage of the solid snow pack to fell trees and skid/carry them over the snow to the huts in preparation for the following winter. Like a squirrel, collecting nuts for the winter ahead, we cache the life giving fuel for the Bench and Fishhook Huts, deep in the Sawtooth. While there is a very practical purpose to what we are doing (prepping firewood for ski huts) at heart we are skiers and the woodcut typically occurs when the ski conditions are prime. So we work especially hard felling, bucking, hauling and stacking to finish the job, so we can get to the skiing. This year we accomplished all the objectives, putting up over 6 cord of wood at each hut and skiing many big, steep and authentic lines.

Thanks to the stellar SVT crew: Chris Marshall, Andrew Kieffer, Niels Meyer, Chris Cullaz, Jess Simon, Alex Gemme, Everett Coba, and the veteran of many woodcuts: Joe St.Onge

Over 6 cords, felled, carried, bucked and stacked at the Bench Hut. now its time to go ski!

The Sawtooth in all their spring glory

Kiefer psyched for a day of steep couloir skiing above Bench Hut

Kieffer psyched for a day of steep couloir skiing above Bench Hut

heading into the upper basins

Jess, working his way up the lower slopes of the Hunk

Climbing mid way on the Hunk, a classic spring steep corn descent above Bench hut

Cranking warm-up turns before the steeps on the Hunk

Jess, working his way through the surface sluffs on the Hunk

The lower rolls of the hunk are pure beauty

Loving the final roll on the Hunk

Yahoo!

Heading toward the Heyburner

Lunch break in the 5th lake basin

Chris, cranking turns on the upper north couloir of Heyburn

Snowboard carving out of the Orbit Couloir

Everett climbing to the darkside on the Bat Cave

Jess working his way toward the light in the Bat Cave

Chris, climbing out of the cave and into the light

Climbing out of the Bat Cave

Alex, loving the steep exit of the Bat Cave

Alex riding toward the light

Crouching tiger

Dawn Patrol out of the Fishhook yurt

Our days objective: the Sickle Couloir. One of the many splitter couloirs in the Sawtooth

Everett and Chris loving the steep climb

nearing the top of the Sickle

Chris, opening his wings while making a jump turn on the 50+ degree couloir

Using an ice axe for security on the firm entrance

Everett laying them down mid couloir

stoked after a stellar couloir

The Sirens of Snow in the Pioneers

Daily Powder Tours, Huts and Yurts, Pioneer Yurts Comments Off

Feb 282016

Climbing into the alpine above the Pioneer yurt is always inspiring

SVT guide, Joe St.Onge and apprentice Chris Cullaz, led a group of local ladies into the Pioneer Yurt this week. Perfect powder conditions, big peaks and the sublime beauty of the Pioneers worked its magic. What a place we call home!

Approaching the Pioneer Yurt on day 1 with beautiful weather

Climbing the Peanut above the yurt with amazing backdrop

We call this zone “Little Alaska”

Perfect powder above the yurt

Skiers and snowboarders playing happily together

#puremountainstoke

The final turns back to the yurt with the setting sun

good to the last drop

schussing into cocktails, appetizers and a nice sauna after plentiful powder

a little light reading after a sauna

sometimes things can get a bit…… at the yurt

Hyndman Peak, the tallest of the Pioneers commands the view above the yurt

The gals looking back toward Sun Valley and noticing how small Baldy looks

The final steps toward the col du Hyndman

Carving turns beneath the big peaks

Powder, friends and a beautiful setting

It’s getting hot…

The final turns end a prefect 2 days in the Pioneers

Birthday: Peaks, Powder and Big Fun!

Daily Powder Tours Comments Off

Jan 302016

the birthday girl!

We had a stellar day this week celebrating a birthday with the Sirens of Snow! For over 10 years now, we have been celebrating the passage of time, the company of good friends and powder skiing with this group of local ladies. What a gift we had had this week with perfect snow conditions, a stunning peak climb and a summit party!

cattails and powder

heading toward Little Big Mountain

Climbing Little Big Mountain

ah, the beauty of the southern mountains!

the birthday girl

pocket wind slab triggered from the ridge

Summit celebration: wine, sushi and cake

powder skiing!

spooning powder

faceted powder makes for perfect ski conditions

the last climb

the exit ski of Japaho Peak

and heading back home

The Sun Valley Backcountry is amazing right now!

Daily Powder Tours Comments Off

Jan 092016

What a special time to be a backcountry skier in Sun Valley. The Christmas rush has passed, the snow pack has settled and stabilized and the sun has come out after weeks of consistent snow. Our guides out out exploring, taking our locals groups to some amazing terrain and enjoying some epic days. Here are some shots from our tour yesterday with the “Jewels”, a fantastic group of local rippers. Enjoy!

Chainsaws, Powder, Peaks and Cave Skiing at the Annual Sawtooth Woodcut

Bench Hut, Fishhook Yurts, Huts and Yurts, Sawtooth Monolith, SVT Scene Comments Off

Apr 152015

Oh Yeah!

It’s been a tradition for over 30 years now, where every April, a few hearty souls embark on an adventure deep in the Sawtooth. Huge loads are packed up to huts that include great food, cold beer, chainsaws and gas. Over 8 cords of wood are cut (4+ at each Bench and Fishhook huts). One by one, we drop the abundant beetle killed pine trees and haul in the logs on shoulders and in sleds while on skis. The piles of logs can be intimidating, but every year we get it all in, bucked up and stacked in preparation for the following season. When the cut is done, the focus turns to skiing. We build the huts, cut the wood and haul the loads because we are skiers, inspired by the magic of the mountains that we live and work in. The Sawtooth smiled upon us this year with perfect conditions for both the cut and the skiing. Some cool new lines were explored, like the “skilunking” adventure in the “Bat Cave”, as well as some true classics in perfect conditions. Enjoy the pics!