Given the imminent arrival of summer on the calendar and the rising temperatures, I suspected that this morning might be a good opportunity to get some sunrise photos. With the sun rising on the far side of the ridgeline, Vista’s observation tower seemed to be the best option. With great reluctance, I managed to get up shortly before 0400 and head out the door at 0415.
Although a Snowbird patroller seeking my input on snow conditions in Perla’s surprised me, it was a pseudorandom encounter with Marc Guido (firsttracksonline.com editor and skivt-l chief avalanche poodle) that started turning a good ski day into a memorable experience. No, it wasn’t just Marc’s politeness in waiting until after establishing that he knew me to ask what was going through my head in deciding to ski Perla’s while it was nice and firm; it was experiencing closing day at Alta with a bit of local guidance.