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| Home Sweet Home Photo: Chase Nelson |
It was thursday when I called Sam over in Portland seeing if he could get work off the next week. Bench hut had just opened up for the first time all year and I wasn't going to miss this opportunity. A storm was on the horizon, and nothing was on mine or Chris' schedule. Things seemed to be lining up perfectly.
Chris was in Bozeman, spreading the word to fellow backcountry enthusiasts as I prepped back in Hailey for what promised to be a great trip. Our final numbers were 6, with folks rolling in late monday evening for a tuesday morning departure. Unfortunately we all had different schedules with folks coming and going throughout the trip, but it was better than expected with a 4 day notice.
Our walk in tuesday morning was one of the most brutal to date, there was close to a foot of fresh snow on the trail, and our usual three hour walk turned into a five and a half hour slog pulling sleds loaded down with beer, food and hut supplies. As brutal as it was, it promised to be good skiing. We arrived at the hut with close to three feet of fresh snow since Saturday! Despite our exhaustion, stoke levels were high as we loaded into the hut and got the fire going. After packing in, we decided to take a quick run on the crapper slope to check conditions. Epic face shots would be an understatement!
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| Morning of storm day, top of the triangle Sky, Vasu, Chase, Sam, Alex (L to R) |
The next morning we awoke to more snow at the hut, and no sign of the storm stopping. The winds were calm as we slowly broke trail to the top of the triangle and freed evergreens from their heavy loads. Although it took twice as long as usual to reach the top, every turn made the effort worth it. The true definition of bottomless powder!
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| Samson about to lay into a turn on the south side of the Triangle |
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| Sam on the climb back up |
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| Chase Nelson, ripping down the triangle on the storm day |
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| Straight Stoked! |
As our daylight dwindled, we made our way back to camp for apres beers and and hearty dinner. Chris arrived late after hut rent guiding in the Smokeys and we took a headlight run down the crapper to get him excited for the next day. Sky had to leave that evening and Sam the next morning, both to make it back to work. it was down to four for the remaining two days, Chase, Vasu, Chris and Me. The storm slowly dwindled that evening and the first stars of the trip came into view. Thursday promised to be a good day!
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| Chris slashing as the clouds begin to clear! Photo: Chase |
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| Vas, Chris and Chase, on the skintrack |
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| Sending on the triangle! Photo: Chris Cullaz |
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| Vasu, Ripping down the hourglass chute towards fourth lake! Photo: Chase |
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| Chase, doing a little avi control on top of the hourglass |
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| Chase setting the skin track up some wind blown snow to the fifth lake saddle, Chris not far behind. |
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| Food and rest at the fifth lake saddle Photo: Chase |
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| Hey there, Chris. Top of Silver Saddle |
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| Making my way back to fifth lake saddle after an unforgettable run down Silver saddle bowl Photo: Chase |
After an incredible 5 days in the Sawtooth, we packed our bags Saturday morning with big smiles and sore leg(s) and began our long trek out. It sure was a different world than we had walked into on Tuesday.
So grateful that all worked out, that I finally got to ride with Sam, met another great partner in the mountains, Got to celebrate Sky's birthday with powder on Wednesday, and got to reconnect with Vasu, one of the first friends that I had ventured into the backcountry with in the Chic choc range of Quebec. Overall an incredible, spontaneous trip, with hopes for a repeat someday, someway.
Vasu also put together a video of the trip, Check it out! The Bench Experience
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| Hayburn, in all its glory! Photo: Chase |
