Life on the road has few rules, but when there’s a diner this classy, you’re obligated to grab at least a cup of coffee. The crew says yes to biscuits and gravy in Challis, ID. Photo: Adam Clark MILE 2,791; APRIL 22; MOUNT BORAH, ID; 12,667 FEET Each wave of snow, carried by wind gusts upward of 50 miles per hour, erupts into spirals, shining like diamonds as the morning sun pierces through. It is beautiful, as is every view in these mountains. The Lost River Range attracts as much traffic as it has beta—which, in the winter, is almost none. Compared to the journey’s previous peaks, we are sailing into uncharted waters. As we start up the summit ridge, the wind begins to dis-sipate, lessening worries of wind loading. We still ski onto the west face with caution, opting for a gully with adequate safe zones. Each turn gets better, giving us more confidence in the snowpack. Before long, it is time to open it up. We arc GS turns through eight inches of fresh, wind-deposited powder. Adam says it may have been the best run of his season. It was undoubtedly one of mine too. MILE 3,455; MAY 4; KINGS PEAK, UT; 13,527 FEET One foot in front of the other; the same technique gets us up each of these peaks. I close my eyes for relief from the sun. When I open them, I realize I may have just fallen asleep, but evidently, I kept moving, as I’m 500 yards farther along. The Uinta Mountains are east of Salt Lake City, my home for the past four years. While I have spent plenty of time in the Wasatch, this is my first time skiing in the Uintas. Four friends skin beside me, laughing as delirium sets in on the seemingly endless approach, which in the end totals nearly 28 miles roundtrip. From the top, there are no visible signs of civilization, no roads, no towns—just mountains I have yet to ski. I cover my face with a bandanna. The slight breeze feels great across my now-bare feet, and the sun warms my tired legs. I drift to sleep, like my compatriots. Whenever we awake, it will be time to ski and finish the slog. Atop the American West 073
The Ski Journal Volume Eleven, Issue Two: Page 73
