Skiers: Pat, Alexis, Alex, Andrew, Jakob & Nick
Photos: Alex & Nick (as noted)
Synopsis: While we have received very little snow since early January, I have actually be having a great time in Tahoe out in the mountains. The days are getting longer, with great weather, great views and good friends. Below is a collection of photos from a number of days out in the Tahoe Basin backcountry (as well as some Big Basin shots thrown in). Intermixed with all of this has been a number of days at the resorts just ripping groomers with Sarah, which has been a lot of fun.
Despite the lack of snow, cold temperatures have kept the snowpack up high in good shape. Photo: Nick
Long, sunny blue bird days offer for great skinning opportunities. Photo: Nick
Up high, the coverage is more than adequate. Click the photo for the full sized version. Photo: Nick
The turns are good too! Alexis skiing on some great powder. Photo: Nick
With views like this, how can you not have a good time? Here I am enjoying the snow. Photo: Nick
If you look in the correct places, there is good stuff to be had. Photo: Nick
A small storm in wind protected zones goes a long way if you ask me. Photo: Nick
In between trips to Tahoe, Sarah and I went exploring in Big Basin State Park among the coastal redwoods. Did I mention yet that California is amazing. Photos: Nick
Skinning up to another objective. Photo: Alex
Alex thinks Tahoe has been great. Photo: Nick
As do I. Photo: Andrew
I have been digging using my new Panorama program. Click the photo for the full sized version. Photo: Nick
Although Jakob is visiting us from the Alps, he couldn’t help enjoy himself in Tahoe. Photo: Nick
A beta shot for those that are interested in how this is looking: Photo: Nick
Andrew, Jakob and I off in the distance looking at one entrance to the couloir. It was pretty wind hammered, so we went with the alternate entrance. Photo: Alex
Andrew getting ready to drop in. Photo: Alex
Andrew making some steep turns. Photo: Nick
From Alex’s vantage point. Photo: Alex
Yeah buddy – good times for Andrew. Photos: Nick
Andrew at the bottom for the re-group spot before heading into the couloir proper. From this angle, it definitely looks much more reasonable than from my vantage above. The side-vantage from above foreshortens the face a good amount – while steep, it is not nearly as steep as it looks. Photo: Alex
Once Andrew was cleared, Jakob dropped in. Photo: Alex
Jakob putting it together Bavarian Alps style with the awesome Euro-inspired jump turns. Photo: Nick
As a great photographer, Alex just knows where to go for the good shot…. “To the Sun I says… To the Sun!” Photo: Nick
Alex doesn’t care one way or another on the split – he just goes. Photo: Nick
Andrew looking back up towards the main entrance to the couloir. A little too icy today. Photo: Alex
Alex got some shots of me dropping into the face from a vantage below. Note the bird floating above me – Alex said it was my “spirit totem” hovering above 🙂 Alex’s photo skills make my skiing skills look much better than they are, that is for sure! Photos: Alex
Further below we encounter a mix of awesome powder, breakable crust and hard snow… just depends on the intricacies of your particular line. Dropping into the couloir proper. Photos: Alex
Andrew following through, enjoying the snow. Photos: Alex
Andrew finds some good stuff down below as well. Photo: Nick
Couloirs are fun when the conditions are stable. From Alex’s vantage point, Jakob dropping in. Photo: Alex
Jakob working through the couloir. Photos: Nick
Alex finding good snow. Photo: Nick
And Jakob does too! Photos: Alex & Nick, respectively
The rock walls dwarfing Andrew. Photos: Alex
Like I said, a little snow goes a long ways!
Digging the “Green Housewives” ad at the bottom here.
Yeah, Google Ads is funny. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can turn them off in the free version of WP.
Interesting. I thought that was something you affirmatively turned on.
My thinking: “Why would Nick have ads on a free site?”
And then: “What did I search for or have in my Gmail account that made ‘Green Housewives’ come up?”
No, in wordpress.com you have to pay to have them turned off. Likely one of the reason wordpress.com is free.
Got it. Makes sense. Worth it for being free.
Now that my leg doesn’t throb terribly while skiing, I’ll start posting stuff on my site again. Just DLed the WordPress Android app and posting this from my phone. Nifty app.