Facebook Twitter Instagram
    FeedTheHabit.com
    • Home
    • Gear Reviews
      • Mountain Biking
      • Road Biking
      • Bike Commuting
      • Trail Running
      • Skiing
      • Outdoors
      • Water Sports
      • Vehicles
    • News
    • Trip Reports
    • Videos
    FeedTheHabit.com
    Mount Superior Dawn Patrol
    Backcountry Skiing

    Cold Smoke on Little Superior

    Kendall CardBy Kendall CardJanuary 20, 2006No Comments4 Mins Read

    Mount Superior has long captured the imaginations of skiers in the Wasatch and beyond. How can you not stare at this peak from Snowbird or Alta and imagine yourself carving tracks down it’s delicate yet enormous face?

    The Skin Track to Mt Superior
    A pause for a shot on the way up to Mt Superior.

    This day would be a good one

    As we set out I knew today was going to be a good day, but didn’t know it would be the best day of the season. You know the type – it had snowed the past couple of days yet resorts are only reporting 6-8″ of new snow so you head out thinking, “well, it should be worth the outing but not something worth raving about” and then on the second turn after dropping into a committing line you find yourself saying out loud:

    “Oh my..oh yea..hell yea!” and you instantly visualize what your buddy will experience upon dropping in. I dig the feeling of getting stoked for your ski partner.”

    Such was this morning for Josh Rhea and myself. After poor form on my part of showing up late we found our way to Wasangeles Central – Our Lady of the “Blower Pow” Snows. Parking and donning skins, headlamps and packs we moved out. The morning was very crisp and as we gained the ridge at Cardiff Pass it became down right bitter with the wind picking up a bit. As we trudged along I kept poking my pole into the side of the skin track, surprised by the depth.

    Our target was Mount Superior. The sunrise was shaping up to be another Wasatch classic . We made our way along the ridge and up Little Superior to find that ahead of us it was bumper to bumper.

    Mt Superior Utah Skintrack
    The skin track along the ridgeline to the summit of Mt Superior.

    Considering that we both needed to be to work at a reasonable hour and that we weren’t in need of additional company, we decided to hit the south ridge of Little Superior, one neither of us had skied before.

    When we skinned to the top of it, there was a bit of an ice crust under the top layer of snow so as I made a couple of initial ski cuts I wasn’t too optimistic. A little surface slough was all it produced and after confirming with Josh I dropped in…and was immediately blown away at how deep it was. It was almost scary deep if there could be such a thing. The rest of the run was the stuff dreams are made of.

    Dropping in - Mt Superior Utah
    The first turns down Little Superior.

    Dropping into the void

    We made a couple stops for route finding and safety, carefully spotting each other and confirming our next section to ski. Finally we dropped in, myself leading out on the long money shot onto the apron of Superior proper that leads to the road where trucks were honking and people shouting stoke from open window. Josh and I were laughing, soaking in the moment.

    Skiing Mt Superior Utah
    Cold smoke on the way down.

    As we entered the apron I really felt the enormity of the face of Superior, looming over me. Although I didn’t glance over my shoulder, I kept thinking – just keep turning, keep going…

    Iconic View of LCC from Mt Superior
    The iconic view of the Little Cottonwood road from Mt Superior.

    Josh was stoked upon arriving at the road. With a “click, click” of the poles, some laughs and a hitched ride back to our car from the Rustler Lodge shuttle driver we were on our way down canyon, savoring another blessed day in the Wasatch.

    More Info: Know Before You Go from Utah Avalanche Center

     

    ShareTweet
    Previous ArticlePolar AXN 300 Altimeter Watch Review
    Next Article Turning Powder Days into Powder Weeks in Utah’s Backcountry
    Kendall Card
    • Website

    Kendall has long been known for his passion of the outdoors. In the past 10 years his love for skiing, particularly backcountry skiing, has defined his pursuits. He's also been active in trail running, mountain climbing, rock climbing, ski mountaineering, cycling and has recently taken up backcountry bow hunting. Aside from writing reviews on FeedTheHabit.com he also reviews products on Gear.com and is co-founder of Camofire.com

    You Might Also Like

    Arc’teryx Rush Bib Pant Review

    February 6, 2023

    Küat Grip 4 Ski Rack Review

    January 26, 2023

    Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket and Pants Review, feat. Gore-Tex ePE membrane

    December 21, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Most Popular

    Montec Fawk Ski Jacket and Bib Review

    February 28, 2022

    Patagonia Downdrift Parka Review

    February 2, 2022
    8.9

    Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

    November 4, 2021
    9.2

    SRAM Rival XPLR eTap AXS Groupset Review

    August 12, 2022
    8.5

    Canyon Lux Trail CF 7 Review

    November 28, 2022

    Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket and Pants Review, feat. Gore-Tex ePE membrane

    December 21, 2022

    SRAM Rival/GX AXS Mullet Gravel Kit Review

    September 17, 2021

    Ultimate All-rounder? Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket Review

    February 2, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

    September 9, 2021
    9.1

    Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

    June 18, 2020
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Advertisement
    Our Latest Posts
    • Arc’teryx Rush Bib Pant Review
    • Mountain Hardwear Basin Lined Pants Review
    • Polar Pacer Pro Multisport Watch Review
    • Küat Grip 4 Ski Rack Review
    • Ibis Exie Goes Global
    • Trek Circuit Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey Review
    • Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Insulated Jacket Review
    • Pearl Izumi PRO NeoShell WxB Jacket Review
    • Montane Anti-Freeze Down Hooded Jacket Review
    • Fresh Wheels: Fezzari Veyo is an Aero All-rounder
    About Us
    About Us

    Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

    External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

    To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

    © FeedTheHabit.com 1999 - 2023. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.