Spring Ski Mountaineering Camp - Williams Peak Hut

This years ski camp (April 24-27) couldn’t have worked out better. For weather we had everything from mid winter-like storms to perfect blue bird days. We skied everything from 1.5 feet of fresh powder in couloirs to corn on smooth solar exposures…not bad for the end of April…although we are in the Sawtooths.

Everybody who took the course expressed how they learned lots of new skills, challenged themselves in steep terrain and had an all around good time. For some of the people it was their first time in the Sawtooths and they commented on how they were “blow away”. Drew from Backcountry Magazine covered the course and he had a blast at the yurt - their article will be out sometime next winter.

What a way to wrap up the ski season. Excellent skiing, exciting terrain, good weather, great food = fun times. For most it would be the last turns of the year as well as their best turns of the year. Here at SMG we’re not missing a beat and have already gotten out the kayaks and climbing gear. Thanks for coming!

Instructors: Kirk Bachman (lead guide), Mike Hatch (Guide), Clark Corey (course assistant)

Participants: Mike Bratina, Jake Goyden, Darin Lightfield, Bill Erikson, Dustin Bloxham, Joe Tobias and Drew Pogge (backcountry magazine).

-Clark

March 10, 2008 - Williams Peak Yurt - Profile Basin

Mike and I were up at the yurt on 3/8 for some maintenance and stayed the night to get in some turns the next day. Snowstake (at the yurt) was at 160cm. Southern exposures were “dust on crust” in the AM but softening up during mid-day. North facing slopes offered mixed conditions ranging from wind buff to excellent powder. Warm weather combined with small storms cycles the past month have allowed the snowpack to stabilize which allowed us to get into high north facing terrain. Skiing and riding was amazing (blue-bird day) and we found the best snow on north facing slopes.

-Clark