The plan was to hike 5+ miles up a mountain outside one of the holiest lands in the world, Provo, Utah. My pack contained a shirt, water, and food and snacks, also to be noted were the 130cm junior race skis. I had smartened up, finally, after 6 years of this, this skiing every month. When i (mini)skied mt washington i knew i was onto something. The light weight makes the experience that much better. Mini skis are just fucking terrible, so i used MINI SKIS, shaving about 20 pounds off the load to be carried up the mountain.
I wasn't really concerned with there being no snow. This was utah, we got one of the worst winters ever and my mountain still got 400 inches of snow. So as we arrived at Emerald Lake at the base of Timps Glacier and snow came into sight I was feeling good. A quick hike up led to rocks and flowing water and nasty suncups and a mellow pitch. Usually summer skiing happens on steep scary slopes. It was very nice to be where it was mellow.
Feeling a rush of confidence when my TR: photographer set up the shots, there were rock jibs galore and soft slushy snow to push around the possibilities were endless. Jibbing anything in sight and having a grand ole time up there, nothing to prove but going skiing. This is soul skiing, enjoy it bitches.
