upload of some photo...

SkiLink Map to Sorrytude upload

Why I am against Snowbirds "mountain coaster"

I attended the planning commission meeting. I listened to them tell the public that our comments didn't matter. I have read comments in the news and on Facebook asking "why are you against the mountain coaster?" and "why is everyone whining about it?" Here is my answer:

Why am I against it? For a lot of reasons:
1) It will bring more traffic up an already congested canyon. This will bring more trash, air pollution, noise pollution.
2) It will be an eyesore on one of our most accessible State Scenic Byways.
3) When I recreate up in that canyon I want wildness, such development, including existing structures, negatively impact my experience.
4) The Wasatch Master Plan is currently being revised. I think we should wait till that is complete before we approve any further major development such as this. This will help deal with issues of traffic, watershed, approved uses, etc.
5) It doesn’t fit within the current master plan from 1989 and thus doesn’t meet criteria for a conditional use permit--though the county thinks otherwise.
6) It is being approved without any actual plans, no architectural drawings, only artist renderings. We don’t even know what we are getting.
7) As noted above, with increased traffic, construction, people, pollution, I worry about our watershed. And with Snowbird using some cocktail of ammonia/vinegar and “other chemicals” to spray the structure and other structures with, I am leery to let them build anything that requires it.
8) Development is always a slippery slope. Here are a list of other existing threats to our Wasatch:
a) Snowbirds efforts to expand into American Fork
b) Snowbirds efforts to build a mall on top of Hidden Peak which will be visible from anywhere in the valley and the mountains.
c) The Basshole (existing)
d) Alta’s efforts to expand across Flagstaff Peak and the Emma Ridge.
e) Alta and Snowbird’s efforts (in process) of building more condos and shopping in the canyon.
f) Solitudes efforts to expand into Silver Fork.
g) Developers efforts to build multiple (6 I think) golf courses and condo projects over Guardsman's Pass--all they need is the road to get paved.
h) The threat of the Alta-Brighton tunnel.
9) Also, Snowbird didn’t present any other option. I assume that rather than dealing with the USFS land (which would keep the roller coaster on the north slope and less intrusive--more like PC and no bridges over SR-201) they kept it on private property to avoid the public. I think they should present alternatives.
10) Despite their claims of being protectors of wildness and the environment, Snowbird has a track record of destroying wilderness (see Mineral Basin, and Snowbird in general).
11) There has been no request for water quality or environmental impact tests. This should be required in an area that provides water to thousands of people.

In general we rush to develop and I am afraid of loosing wildness so close to an urban center--something truly unique these days. I just moved here from California. There you have to drive at least 2 hours, but for most 5-6 hours, to get to anything close to the Wasatch. We take that for granted in Utah. Development threatens a lot of wildness in Utah, from the South to the North. As stewards it is our job to keep it in check, preserve it for our children, and best of all get outside and enjoy it while we still have it!

Intuition

It was ether intuition, inspiration, or luck, nevertheless, we found it. This was one of those days with high Sierra winds so high that they would knock you off balance, the rime was horizontal and at least 6 inches thick protruding from tree limbs, your face felt sunburned and leathery. We skied the south face of Castle Peak from the summit (a gnarly bunch of conglomerate rocks and cliffs) following the path of least resistance, cautiously as we knew there was a false chute--somewhere. Once we got to a certain point and knew we were safe. I finally took out the camera, below is one of the few shots.

Skiing was actually great, though a little thin, but this line rarely fills in (acc. to local lore) so I was happy regardless. The apron opened up nice, the clouds broke with sun and fresh tracks, no one around but us. California is nice like that, the backcountry ain't crowded like my home hills the "Wasangeles" Range. I hope to ski this line again--it was a blast. I love skiing and this hot weather is killing me, seriously. Summer needs to move fast.

Well, off to the Philippines where it's not only hotter than Hades, but also raining!

Soccer on the Yellow Sea

Some shots from a soccer game I played in Byeonsanbando National Park, Korea, last fall. It was a classic soccer game that went on for a long time, followed by the best Korean bbq I have ever had (I have had a lot).

Legend has it that those islands in the background are the back of a great sea monster that protected South Korea from a northern enemy (I think the Chinese). As the aggressor tried to land the monstor rose up and destroyed the enemy navy.

Or at least that's what those guys said...

Whittakers in Yosemite 5-2010 from Jed Whittaker on Vimeo.

Rainier 2010...eeeghh...

Last years summit/ski was amazing. We climbed and skiied the Fuhrer Finger with blue skies and warm weather. The skiing was terrific and the trip confirmed my new found motivation to ski volcanos. This year's trip was a blast, I must say that upfront, but...

(above: suckers not on skis. I can't beleive anyone would hike all the way up to walk down!)

This trip we decided to ski the supposedly classic Muir snow field as a day trip. We did, but due to the weather it turned into survival skiing. Most of the trip was spent tring to figure out where the horizon was--vertigo skiing. We opted to not ski the Nisqually Chutes and risk loosing route or crossing crevasses we couldn't see. Routfind was still a pain, but in the end good times were had by all (Dan Peck and I).

Dan working his way up the Muir Freeway.