the view from the South side
Just got back from a beautiful Yurt trip in Logan, UT. Since there is no snow falling we decided to go get the stuff that hasn't been touched yet. On the way out I found out my grandmother passed away so there was a definite sadness hanging over my head as we got into the mountains.
Blind Hollow is the location of the yurt. 3 hours of skinning with a 60 pound pack. Four miles and 2400 feet of climbing later and we just barely got to the yurt as it was getting dark. Brandon and I were a little panicky when we couldnt find it or get a response when we yelled our friends names out into the wilderness but once we smelled wood burning we knew we were close. It is humbling and slightly terrifying feeling to be that far out in the middle of nowhere, not knowing where you are supposed to be, and its getting dark.
Once in the yurt the place was just sick. Bunks, wood stove, cooking utensils, a table to chill, deck of cards. We got settled and was asleep by 8:30 that night.
Day two we started off with a big hike up the south facing slopes to get a better lay of the land. We decided to jump over to the next set of north facing trees since all the south facing stuff was sunbaked as hell. After an interesting ride down the south facing slopes we again put the skins on and split the boards and away we went.
Up the next set of trees making our own tracks and nobody else in sight on a blue bird day in the middle of nowhere,Utah we found a place to drop in. It made it all worth it as we descended one by one into the trees. Even after two weeks of no snowfall we had super light Utah pow underneath us. Amidst hoots and hollers we made our way back down the slope. Two hours later we were back at camp just as the sun was setting. Good thing we didn't get greedy and try to get back up for a second round.
That night we feasted. Ate like kings. I myself must have put away over 2000 calories in one sitting and I was still ravenous. What a workout! We all talked of getting up at 6am to get Dawn Patrol back out on the north side but our bodies had other plans.
Day 3 we woke up around 8 after a 12 hour coma. Had some oatmeal and cleaned up the yurt and made our way back down the canyon on our skins. This in itself was a good time. I felt like a little kid learning how to ski again (it has, after all, been 25 years or so since I have put skis on my feet) and the track down was crusty and icy.
We made our way back to the car in one hour (and only a few tumbles) and were on the road back to SLC by 2pm.
Needless to say yurt tripping is the best experience. I recommend it to everyone. No TV, no work, no worries. Just have to worry about melting enough snow for your packs and getting enough calories in your body to keep going. Truly a life changing experience for me.
I am sure my beautiful Grandma Rose that just passed was looking down from Heaven and smiling that day.
AWW YEAH! we got a little bit of the fun white stuff last night. A foot of the Greatest Snow On Earth! Got first tracks at Snowbird. First Tram and about the 10th guy down. aw yeah! 
