Backcountry skiing 'Overconfidence Kills' in Mill D North Fork

February 20, 10:59 AMSalt Lake City Outdoor Recreation ExaminerJared Hargrave

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Salt Lake City Outdoor Recreation Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Mason Diedrich on his way to Overconfidence Kills

The North Fork of Mill D in Big Cottonwood Canyon is a very popular backcountry skiing area. Dozens of groups skin up this side canyon to get to places like Reynolds Peak, Big and Little Water and Powder Park. But a good place to avoid the crowds is an unnamed peak near Desolation Lake sometimes known as “Overconfidence Kills.”

In the book Wasatch Tours Volume 2, in the section about Mill D North Fork, there is a write up about this unnamed peak and the tragic avalanche that took the life of a skier in 1979. The title of this section is “Overconfidence Kills” and has since become the unofficial name of this area.

When Mason Diedrich and I skinned up Mill D North Fork, we decided to ski somewhere different and chose this peak without knowing it's history. Turns out that Overconfidence Kills is a killer place to farm powder.

After following a series of meandering skin tracks through aspen groves, we came to the south side of the peak where we proceeded to climb to the top of the ridge. From there, we were treated with a sweet view of Kessler Peak and Cardiff Fork to the south and the incredible mountain biking route of the Wasatch Crest to the north above Desolation Lake.

Many great options for skiing down were spread out below us all along the ridgeline. There are steep, open bowls to the west and sheltered trees with small cliff bands and chutes to the east. We chose to stay in the trees due to the low visibility and the fact that the shaded powder was still soft. The skiing was excellent with a nice pitch and protected snow.

The approach is low angle and long, but if you have all day, Overconfidence Kills is a perfect yo-yo tour. Simply park at the Spruces campground in Big Cottonwood Canyon, cross the road and skin up the trail that leads through a bunch of summer cabins. When you eventually reach a fork at an old wooden sign, go right toward Desolation Lake. You will see Overconfidence Kills as the highest point on your right. You can also access the ever popular Powder Park from here.

As always, check the avalanche report before heading into the backcountry and never go without a beacon, shovel, probe pole and a friend.