TR: New Years Touring Around Tahoe

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TR: New Years Touring Around Tahoe

January 3, 2013 by Nick

Locations: Trimmer Peak, Grouse Rock & Munchkins

Dates: Sunday, December 30th & Tuesday, January 1st

Skiers: Tony, Jason, Jon & Nick

Photos: Nick (unless otherwise noted, but with Nick’s camera)

Synopsis: It’s been a while since I posted a full TR, so figured now is as good as a time as any. Conditions around the Tahoe Basin have been great recently, with a dramatic change in snow amounts since December of last year. Although we do have some interesting things going on in our snowpack due to some deeply buried PWLs, which led to a pretty sizeable avalanche cycle just after Christmas. Therefore, we played it pretty conservative in the trees, with great skiing to be had!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30TH

With a generally increasing trend towards stability, Tony, Jason (Jason) and I headed out to Trimmer Peak on Sunday. We were accompanied by Tony’s dog, who absolute crushes it in the snow.

We skinned up to the saddle short of the summit and dropped in to the NE trees for a couple of laps. On account of the buried facets, we stayed away from the avy paths. Tony dropping in during the first lap.

In the trees, the conditions were absolutely prime. It seemed that the weekend slider had dropped a bit more snow down in the Southeast portion of the Lake than up in North Lake. Tony quickly agrees.

We found good, unconsolidated snow in the trees that was not wind effected and super dry on account of the very cold temps around the Basin recently.

After a good lap, we skinned back up and enjoyed the views on the way.

Nick pumped to be heading back for Round Two. Photo: Jason

Jason enjoying the deep on Round 2.

I got in on the action as well.

We gradually worked our way through the trees for a great second run. Tony continuing down.

Jason slashing through the open glade.

During the second lap Jason was nice enough to grab my camera every so often to get some shots of me. Photos: Jason

Tony was really taking advantage of the snow conditions, having a great time in his backyard more or less.

It ended up being an awesome day. After our second lap in the NE trees, we skinned back up and skied the bonus run down the N side to the trailhead. No pictures, but it continued to be great skiing and the coverage down low is actually holding up nicely.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1ST

On Monday, I had just skied over at Alpine Meadows solo all day and Jon headed up that night to tour around some side country areas on Tuesday. We headed out to Grouse Rock area for a couple of laps first. There was a nice skin-track through the trees already established, which was good as I rode my heavy Praxis/Duke setup (a rarity for me outside of lifts as otherwise I always rock my full Dynafit coolaid skis/boots/bindings setup). Man I forget sometimes how clunky skinning in Dukes is!

The snow over by Grouse was pretty good, although areas just outside of the trees did get a bit wind effected. Jon pushing through.

We skinned back up for a second lap. The weather was pretty funny as it was very cold for Tahoe standards (around 15-20F), but still felt crazy hot due to the sun. Jon following up.

We went around the corner from Grouse to dig a pit and see what was going on with the facet layer over in the area. It was down there, but deep. Did get some moderate windslab results in this area, though – so we headed back over to lower-angle terrain.

Jon skiing out after backtracking from our pit to a lower angle section.

The runout was fun.

We grabbed some food and then headed over to Munchkins for a great lap. The snow over there was holding up excellent in the N trees a couple of drainages over. In addition to the heaviest ski setup possible, I also went full highlighter as well! Photo: Jon