Skiing Main Baldy in August usually only happens after a big snow season. Years ago, a group of 4-5 skiers were skiing it just for the novelty of skiing in August when one of them slipped, fell and slid head-first into the rocky moat next to the snow. A second skier somehow fell and was soon joined by a third falling skier as well. Bones were broken, skulls were scalped, ribs were cracked and lungs were punctured before they were finally evacuated by AirMed.
I had forgotten what a rubble pile Alta is in the summer. Even the access road, which is a cruiser in the winter, was loose, dusty and steep on a mountain bike. By far, the most gripping part of the day was down-climbing through the loose talus on a pair of skis with binding which were barely engaged!
Still, it was a fun outing, although I wasn’t going back for seconds.
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