9 Attachment(s)
God's Lawnmower - Kessler Peak Backcountry - BCC
Jan 29th, 2011
Location- God's Lawnmower, Kessler Peak, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah - Backcountry
Conditions- Pow, Corn & Bulletproof
Gear used Riding- Voile Mojo Splitboard 161, Whippet Snowtool, GoPro HD
I got into the backcountry for the first time this year (my new split was backordered and I've been sick for the last 3 weeks). Why start small, right? The plan for the day was God's Lawnmower off of Kessler Peak in Big Cottonwood Canyon. God's Lawnmower is a serious descent that can't be taken lightly. The avalanche danger was low to moderate and the skies were clear. The run is north facing so was bound to be creamy. Our main concern was the daytime heating since the day was calling for 45 degrees as a high.
We started touring from the Doughnut Falls Trailhead at 9:20am and headed up the east facing slope of Kessler about 40 minutes later via the carbonate pass route. We had to cross a few steep avalanche paths along the way and doing so in the full sun is always a little nerve racking. We had a good pace but also left time for fuel and rest, not really being in a hurry. We made it to the main ridgeline in about 3 hours. From there, we had to cross the west couloir which was super icy and a bit scary on skins (going downhill with skins on always sucks for skiers and splitboarders). We then crossed a bit of Argenta which was also very icy to get to the peak of Kessler.
After a nice picnic and amazing 360 degree views of Superior, SL Twins, Smog, Raymond, Gobblers & South facing BCC, we dropped in. We rode down Argenta (a monster in its own right) for a little ways in order to get our bearings. The first 20 turns or so (once past the icy summit) were some of the best of the day. We then cut into the woods and traversed over to God's Lawnmower. From there we enjoyed amazing snow for most of the way down. We then again, cut into the trees on skiers right so that we were in the correct drainage to get back to the car. Otherwise you need to bushwack at the bottom or hitch.
An amazing day on a classic Wasatch run. Next time you are heading up Big Cottonwood, keep your eyes out for this one. It looms above the popular sledding hill and the Doughnut Falls trailhead.
God's Lawnmower is in the middle of the photo. 3000 feet to the road. Argenta is lookers right.
Attachment 41230
Just above Doughnut Falls
Attachment 41231
Rollerballs mean daytime heating, however, these were from days prior. Mt. Superior in the background rightAttachment 41232
Towards the top of East CouloirAttachment 41233
Approaching the top of East CouloirAttachment 41234
On the ridgeline before traversing West Couloir (left side) en route to the peak (upper right)Attachment 41235
High on God's LawnmowerAttachment 41236
High on God's LawnmowerAttachment 41237
Lower on God's LawnmowerAttachment 41238
