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This ride was originally intended to take place on Saturday, Dec. 13th, but we decided to postpone till Sunday because of a major storm that hit the area Saturday morning. Our decision to postpone served us well, as we were treated to a great day of powder riding.
Weather was cooperative for most of the day, with just a couple brief snow showers. Visibility was a major issue for me today. The flying snow quickly rendered my goggles useless as well as a 2nd pair that I borrowed from Steve. (Thanks Steve, they lasted longer than mine did.) Because of the diffused light from overcast skies, it was also one of those days when I found myself riding along and all of the sudden the sled would just fall out from under me. Everything was white, I just couldn't see 'em coming.
As you can see from the photo on the right, we dutifully did our best to track up every square inch of the "untouched".
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A snow-covered hood was the order of the day.
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We started out for the West Fork Cabin first thing with tenative plans to go over the top into the Cow Creek Meadows from there. After tracking up Baker's Camp which included several energy zapping "stucks", we decided it was not probable that we would make it over the top without a struggle. We rode back to the main road and took the "easy way" into the meadows.
Our tenative goal of reaching the saddle below Pheobe didn't happen. We came to a spot where we would have had to drop about 75' down a steep bank onto a snow bridge crossing a small creek. You could tell that the creek was at least 6' below the top of the snow bridge, and less than 6' wide. The thought of trying to get a sled out of that hole and back up the 75' bank if the snow bridge collapsed didn't appeal to us much, so with discretion being the better part of valor, we opted to head back and play in the meadows a little more on our way out.
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Karl tearin' it up at Baker's Camp.
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The "Karl Karve".
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Wasn't a great day for pics, but I like this one best.
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The inevitable "stuck".
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Another cool shot with Karl's ski in the air.
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Steve lettin' it all hang out.
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Steve busts over the top.
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We spent as much time off our sleds as we did on them.
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Thanks Steve and Karl for coming up. I had a great ride, let's do it again soon.Jim
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