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The Diving Board

Salt Lake City

Wasatch Backcountry

The diving board is a very steep and exposed run that keeps the mind from wandering while you're high in the central Wasatch.

Ski Touring Extreme

Distance
1.3 km
Ascent
6 m
Descent
428 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
2.9 km
High Point
3.4 km
Gradient
45˚
The Diving Board Map

It's best to hike up this line so you can check the snow conditions and really there isn't a better way. Park at the S curve 4.3 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Hike up the Mill B trail to Lake Blanche. From the lakes head up the E branch of the upper canyon. Keep going into the uppermost cirque and you'll see the Diving Board to the lookers left of Rampage.

Description

The top of the line isn't that steep, but it slowly rolls over and steepens just as you hit the crux where you cut back skiers right and onto the angling ramp. The crux can be in the upper 50's and a fall here would be fatal so make sure the snow is good, or downclimb if it's not. The ramp flattens out quite a bit, but there is still huge exposure and the snow usually has some fun wavy wind features.

Difficulty

Extreme

Extreme skiing terrain above 45 degrees. These routes are reserved for experienced experts.

Extreme Exposure (E4)

4 out of 4

In case of a fall, the skier faces certain death.

Remoteness

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between January and June

Features

  • Cliffs

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area