Did they seem at all close to getting chair 4 open?Quote:
Originally Posted by 406
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Did they seem at all close to getting chair 4 open?Quote:
Originally Posted by 406
No.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tsac77
Baldy was good training today, if you're a connoisseur of survival skiing. Super low vis late in the afternoon, strong winds and driving sleet, and that lovely breakable crust that was tough even on fat heavily-rockered skis. Never imagined Skyline could be as awful as it was the first run of the day. Still, manged to get in about 20 runs and actually found a tiny bit of crustless pow that made for a couple sweet turns and two big core shots.
Couldn't ask for better base building snow though. This stuff is so dense, you could ski a granite slab covered with only 2" of it. And Thunder got 16".
Today was basically a replay of yesterday.
The bad:
Terrible visibility
Even worse breakable-crust than yesterday
The good:
No freezing sleet
Less wind, though still pretty windy
not from the area, looking for some beta on access, snow conditions/people to ski tour with.
had tickets to Norway and Iceland for a ski tour, mass hysteria happened and my flights were cancelled. stuck in Palm Desert with all my gear, looking to do some day missions.
just started researching on good ol google, was looking on here to help possibly stream line the process.
looks like abcdethen just did San Gorgonio? how was that? anything else in the vicinity worth doing? bummer the tram is closed with the storm a brewin.
yes, i ski tour quite a bit. no, i am not at the level of main forecaster for the sierra.
skied lassen on the way down here, it was windy and only got soft for bottom 1/3.
also skied here, it was dry pow
Attachment 320609
any info is welcome, even if it is just "stay off my wave kook."
sidenote; anyone been to pear lake hut to ski tour? been semi invited on a trip there if i can sneak away
Seems like San Gorgonio area is you best bet for good snow. Videos I have seen online show snow was nice this weekend on Jepson & the peak. Most people access via the south fork trailhead. I like to park here and bike up the forest road to the wilderness sign:
https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=34.1...88144&z=18&b=f
Radar is showing snow now, but not sure if it is enough to improve conditions in the San Gabe's.
Skied one of the gullies of Big Draw on Sunday. Great conditions. Rain crust down below but nice snow in the trees and great windbuff up high. I ran into some other Splitboarder’s who were lapping the chutes of Jepson. Rain crust was more persistent there. Put skins on 3.5 miles from the trailhead. Big Draw had wind slabs but none propagated on testing. I’m sure all of the conditions will change after the storm. Hoping to get to Baden Powell later this week.
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Nice work. Hopefully after this storm you can ski most of the way back to the car.
Solid work gentleman. Thanks for the beta. I will update with any plans and/or TRs.
Nice work getting good snow on the peak, long slog to get there.
What elevation could you ski to on the way down?
We left our trail runners about 8200 ft and 3.5 miles from the trail. Sure you could ski further now
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Going local tomorrow to Waterman if the road is open. Will provide beta
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Nice shots! Let us know.Quote:
Originally Posted by abcdethan
Baldy is selling daily tix, with 15-min intervals between redemption at ticket office.
Thinking of Friday am...anyone?
USFS is shutting down access points. But on the plus side this storm is looking good, so fingers crossed for some turns late April and May...maybe even June like last year.
Ya, my buddy on Baldy FD said all trails have been closed due to the shitshow of people suddenly needing to hike.
does anyone have any ski wax thats in the area? i am in palm desert, really need to wax the skis.
Looked like Waterman may have been turning yesterday. We went further and did 3 laps on Kratka on some corn that turned to slsuh by the end of the day. Snow was great but melting quick.
The owners have been running the lifts for themselves and family throughout this pandemic. They come in midday and track out the open runs. They're not good enough to ski the trees so after fresh snowfall there is still plenty freshies to be had. They turn away anyone asking to use the lift. However, yesterday I heard they let some people on. Not sure.
As I'm already thinking about next season, what would you consider classic backcountry ski lines in Socal?
Does Baldy reopening make them the only open ski area in US?
Dunno, but I'll be there about 10:30 for some Cornvid-19.
I got the email and I am intrigued. Let us know how it is, I might be able to make it tomorrow.Quote:
Originally Posted by 1000-oaks
Boom! in for 11am....
Conditions are goooood, creamy schmooo.
Lol you guys this is rad!!![emoji117][emoji118]
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Call Big Willi Mountaineering in Lone Pine and talk to Blair. The man could write the book for SoCal backcountry lines, he used to live down here and knows the region better than anyone I've met. Some of his reports are on summitpost.Quote:
Originally Posted by abcdethan
Gorgonio and baldy couloirs are bound to be in the classic descents.
good shit today, excellent coverage & conditions...
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Damn. Coverage looks real good. How different was the resort setup because of the social distancing rules? Was the Notch closed?
Social distancing was good, nearly everyone wore masks and behaved. Never went to Notch, stayed on the chair all afternoon.
Other than maybe a couple days right after big storms, coverage is probably the best it's been all season. Only Herb's and Andy's are starting to get patchy, it's deep most everywhere else. Hasn't fully consolidated, pole plants often go much deeper than you expect so don't use straps. Mid-fat skis are still a good call, it's not corn yet.
Lots of cops around (PD chopper even circled the area a few times), so be sure you have a mask and use it.
Thanks for the conditions info, looks good.
for those that didn't get it, Baldy sent out all the new rules to the email list, see below:
Quote:
Mountain Report 4/21/2020:
The forecast calls for clear skies with warm temps through the forecast period. A moderate wind advisory is in place thru Thursday morning with varying north winds in the 10 to 25 mph range. With coverage on the mountain about as good as it gets for April and golf courses reopening around Southern California we have decided to follow suit and open for ‘Ski & Ride Times’ beginning tomorrow morning.
Rentals & Tubing are closed for the rest of the 2019/20 season. Expect smooth soft spring corn conditions Wednesday. There will be no grooming tonight, expect off piste untracked cream corn conditions. EXPERIENCED ADVANCED & ABOVE SKIERS AND RIDERS ONLY. Now is not the time to come learn to ski or ride.
It’s on.
See you on the mountain! #thisisbaldy
Lift Tickets Available Now!
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/m...yes&ref=mChimp
COVID-19 SOCIAL DISTANCING
OPERATIONS PLAN
We are taking the COVID-19 crisis very seriously. Mt Baldy Resort is a unique all season mountain resort and is well designed to accommodate social distancing guidelines. In addition, we are implementing several policy changes that will help to ensure the safety and health of our guests and staff. Similar to how a golf course operates Mt Baldy will check-in a maximum of 4 individuals at 10 minute intervals. 1 Day Alpine Ticketed guests will have access to Lift #2 and #3 from that time until closing. In stark contrast to a golf course (150 acres), Mt Baldy Resort (800 acres) has more than 4x the area and will be operating at less than 10% of occupancy under this plan. Mask or face covering consistent with Order of the Health Officer of the County of San Bernardino County for the Control of COVID-19 must be worn at all times.
TICKETING & GUEST SERVICES
Only guests with reservations for 1 Day Alpine Lift Ticket and Mt Baldy Season Pass Holders will be granted access within the resort boundaries. Guest Services is NOT available at the resort. Do not come to the resort with promotional tickets, vouchers, expired purchases, applications, partner resort passes or any other inquiries. All these matters must be addressed online or by telephone. Please be patient with our very limited guest services team while we facilitate your requests.
UPON ARRIVAL
All visitors to Mt Baldy Resort will be at greeted at their vehicle upon arrival to parking lot. 1 Day Alpine Lift Ticket reservations will be checked in no earlier than their reservation time. Early visitors please queue up in your vehicles and sit tight until your reservation time. With proper identification Season Pass Holders, Scheduled Staff or Certified Government Agency Personnel will be permitted on to the property. All others will be turned away.
PARKING
To eliminate congregating all vehicles must be parked at a minimum of 3 vehicle width apart. Any vehicle not parked at least 20′ away from any other vehicle is subject to tow. Mt Baldy Resort staff will be on hand to identify vehicles not in compliance to direct tow trucks accordingly.
RESTROOMS
\To avoid unnecessary contact we ask that you take care of your restroom breaks before you get to the mountain. Restrooms will be available for use at the base of Chair #1 and in the Top of the Notch Restaurant. Bathrooms are maintained and sanitized according to a vigorous schedule.
RIDING THE LIFT
All lifts at Mt Baldy Resort are fixed grip double seat carriers. We suggest that you ride by yourself unless you decide to ride with someone you are in quarantine with. Mt Baldy Resort is not the ‘Quarantine Police’ and does not intend to be. We ask that you treat this matter with the respect that it deserves and only ride with individuals you are quarantined with. Individuals will be loaded with skis or snowboard and one small carry along bag only.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Pack a lunch. The Counterweight Cafe & Top of the Notch Restaurant will be closed until further notice. Sporadically refreshments may be available at the bottom of Lift #3 (Thunder Mountain) as we continue to improve operations under these scrutinous circumstances.
SKIING & RIDING
Experienced advanced and above skiers and snowboarders only. Rentals will not be available. Guests must bring their own gear. Ski & ride with caution and do not take unnecessary risks. Injuring yourself puts you and everyone involved in helping you at risk. At all times and especially when standing in line maintain a healthy distance of at least 10 feet.
Our ability to operate under these circumstances rely heavily on cooperation from everyone. If you are not feeling 100% or have any intention of not treating this situation with the respect that it deserves, stay home. Mt Baldy Resort would not be going through the difficult process of opening during these difficult times if we did not love operating this special mountain and YOU our stakeholders. Unfortunately with the limited amount of access our modified operating plan permits, we have limitations to what we can accommodate: Partner resort passes, promotional tickets sold at pre-season snow shows or any other pre-purchased online tickets will be addressed on a case by case basis prior to arrival. Thanks for the support,
The Crew @ Mt Baldy
I'm in Goldridge Trees at the beginning of this clip, but you'll never see me. Don't know why they flew by 10 minutes after last chair, when virtually everyone was already gone.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_TX2DBFmSZ/
Another post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_TamjSjl4g/
Who would of thunk it...It's late April and only the Commie-fornia mags are still skiing and boarding! ;)
Props to Baldy for taking a thoughtful and constructive approach instead of just the easy way out.
I wish others would also take this time to experiment operationally, because this type of modified model may be the only one feasible for next season if there is a second wave.
Skiing (except the apres part) is perfectly suited for self distancing, so I hope they are able to maintain discipline and have no blowups...
Baldy has a few big advantages. First is the single access point at the front gate and a single lift to reach the "base" area. Few ski areas have such tight customer control. Second is being such a small area, they can make money with only 150 skiers on the hill. Lastly it's hard for the authorities to verify that the customers are complying, unless they send up an undercover cop that skis. Which could explain the circling police helicopter yesterday.
Hopefully they make some money, pretty cool they are going the extra mile.
If we have a season pass can show up whenever, right? Anyone know if they plan to groom? Was skiing still good around 5pm 1000-oaks or did it get soupy? Hoping I can make it up there next Th afternoon...might be wishful thinking with this heat.
^ Suspect they're now grooming the main trails each morning, there's plenty of snow for it. Snow in the trees isn't consolidated and anything in direct sun is getting pretty slushy (this heat wave sucks) so wax accordingly (or Zardoz). If I were going back this weekend I'd take something around 110 waist.
Believe passholders can just show up, everyone else has to buy a ticket ahead of time. Read their online covid plan to see what you need to do regarding parking, etc.
Baden-Powell was good today, much better than I expected given the heat. Gate just past Mt high closed, so had to bike in. Got to the top around 9 am.
^ Nice, that's getting after it. What time did you leave the Big Pines gate?
Just did an afternoon road hike up to Blue Ridge, BP is looking gorgeous. There was a big wet slide about a mile past BP a week ago.
How far do you have to bike in to get to the usual trailhead?Quote:
Originally Posted by 406