It's 7am, I just got to my cube, and....(WWMD??)

[Lane Meyer]

Squaw is reporting 24"+ new with 100 mph winds. Over 18" new at my deck @6300'. This one isn't supposed to abate until Saturday NIGHT. It's now Thursday morning. NWS forecast aside, I bet we get 7-8 feet out of this one.

Will I even get to leave at 11 to make the treck to Squaw? I'm the sole soul from the engineering dept due to my position at the ass-end of the totem pole here at Initech, and I-80 is closed ensuring that none of the Reno-based staff can even get here. WWMD? Stay here, do the right thing, and wait until tomorrow when I have the day off? Leave at 11, use my 4 hours of comp time (legal - got permission yesterday as I was NOT to be the only one here) and try to make the most out of the afternoon??

No chance in hell the upper mountain will open. So it's KT (iffy, even) and Red Dog, with the Griswolds^1000th power swarming over my beloved mountain. 100+ mph gusts are supposed to continue, and with it snowing well over 2"/hour, today might be deep, light, and an absolute utopia. Or it might be wind-hold city.

WWMD???

Issued: December 30, 2004 03:51:11 PST (CAZ072)

Today: Windy...snow. Snow accumulation 10 to 20 inches. Highs 22 to 32. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Gusts over 100 mph over ridges.

Tonight: Windy...snow. Snow accumulation 1 to 2 feet. Lows 17 to 27. Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Gusts to 100 mph over ridges.

Friday: Brisk...snow. Snow accumulation 5 to 10 inches. Highs 21 to 31. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph over ridges

Friday night: Brisk. Snow. Lows 13 to 23. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 70 mph over ridges

New years day: Brisk. Snow. Highs 21 to 31. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Gusts to 70 mph over ridges.

Saturday night: Brisk with snow likely. Lows 11 to 21.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs 23 to 33.

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows 9 to 19.

[mildbill.]

go.

do it for me.

[FollowMe]

Damn, looks like winds might be a factor through tomorrow . The road to Kirkwood is closed over the Spur and Pass right now due to poor visibility. If I were you, I'd save the 4 hours for a "real" opportunity, unless you really want to ski the lower part of the mountain (if it even opens). Either way, energy/anticipation levels must be high in Tahoe. Enjoy...

[JMO]

There's no way Squaw will open anything with 100mph winds. Work today, then tomorrow, put on full pads, get in line as early as you can, and brave the masses - and keep watch on if and when they open Silverado. You'll want to be first in line at the gates when they do. Otherwise, you'll be S.O.L.

Or you could hit up the backcountry and not even deal with crowds.

At the very least, get fresh tracks in the Squaw parking lot in your car before the plows show up.

[El Chupacabra]

I'm debating the same thing right now here in Reno. Just shoveled off 8" from my driveway in South Reno, and am wondering whether to go to work or to try Mt Rose. The snow is still flying fast & sticking here.

I'm leaning towards going to work and skiing tomorrow. .

[Darkside]

I'm going to wait it out, hit Alpine later today. Seems like it can't get worse, maybe it'll get better wind-wise?

[FollowMe]

I'm going to wait it out, hit Alpine later today. Seems like it can't get worse, maybe it'll get better wind-wise?

Man, I hope so...looks like the forecasters are claiming it'll be a factor through Saturday.

[Lane Meyer]

I just talked to Alka, he is planning on riding his snowmo into Squaw from his place between Squaw and Truckee due to a 4 foot high berm on 89. We both think KT is doubtful today. Alpine might be sweet, though......

Hmm. Midlbill, I hear you brother. I spent last winter in Hawai`i, and if I go out today, it will be my first real pow day since 1/2/04. And my first faceshot will be dedicated to everyone punching keys today who's not rubbing shoulders with me. Even if it is tomorrow.

[Lane Meyer]

Man, I hope so...looks like the forecasters are claiming it'll be a factor through Saturday.

Well, there's one good thing sbaout that - we can go OFF on Friday night with a clean conscience about missing Saturday AM. Sunday will thusly be "the day."

[SkiCougar]

gotta go with Followme:

I'd save the 4 hours for a "real" opportunity,

i was in the similar conditions 3 weeks ago, and while we had the place to ourselves; they had one lift going on the upper half of the mountain. we skied everything worth skiing 3 times. save the 1/2 day for something you can get to in the car and on the lift, the season is still young.

[Lane Meyer]

gotta go with Followme:


i was in the similar conditions 3 weeks ago, and while we had the place to ourselves; they had one lift going on the upper half of the mountain. we skied everything worth skiing 3 times. save the 1/2 day for something you can get to in the car and on the lift, the season is still young.

Do cougars like to lick pussy? (And by that I mean only do they like to beat up housecats should they meet in a dark alley and break out into fisticuffs?)

Nah, you're probably right. I'm letting my 363-day face-shot withdrawal cloud my judgement.

[truth]

With thsoe winds I'd bag the skiing, and bust out the worlds smallest kite, but that's just me. Ihavenojob

[SkiCougar]

um, yes and yes.

if you didnt have tomorrow off, i'd say go for it; but you should beat the new years crowd; if you hit it early friday.

[The AD]

I noticed Sugar Bowl is reporting 48"

[Darkside]

I realized that my previous response probably doesn't do you any good....Alpine is on wind hold for Alpine Bowl Chair, Summit Chair, etc. I would wait on today if I were you, winds are supposed to die down tomorrow.

[Lane Meyer]

Yeah, might sit this one out. Just talked to three separate people in Squaw who said KT looks unlikely. Hmmm.....

[Darkside]

I was just taking the dog for a walk around the neighborhood, neighbors said that Squaw is totally closed, that CHP is turning people away at the base of the road. I don't know if there's any truth to this, and the Squaw website doesn't say anything about this (though I doubt they would, even if it was true). Just talked to my friend up at Alpine too, little to no visibility, and no chance of anything higher than Roundhouse being open today. Damn, I gotta weasel my way out of work tomorrow morning.

[Lane Meyer]

Yup, sounds about right to me. Sugar Bowl is closed, too. Sweet, I'll use my 4 hours Monday morning.

The CHP site (CHP Incidents) says that there is a car stuck at the junction of 89 and Squaw Valley Road, which is probably what your buddy heard about.

[Crank]

With thsoe winds I'd bag the skiing, and bust out the worlds smallest kite, but that's just me. Ihavenojob

Do they make one small enough for 100 mph winds?

[KQ]

I'm going to have to go with everyone who voiced concern over the high winds. Work, build more comp time and take to the road when it's safe (after you've made sure you have all the emergency provisions packed in your car.

Live to ski another day, mang.

[Lane Meyer]

I shudder to mention it, but days like today are, like Owens, not to be trifled with. It was a day just like this one two years ago that we lost MC @ Squaw. Definately gotta keep track of your buddies out there. I just called over to Squallywood and heard that they might even be shutting down Red Dog.

I have now decided that I am ill and cannot come to work on Monday or Tuesday. Or else I will quit. Or call in dead. How many times in one's life does one get to ski 7-10 FEET of blower? I'm 26, and I've done it 3 times, once at Wolf Creek (2000), once at Kirkwood (2/1996), and once at Squaw (last New Years). Looks like # 4 will be 1/2004. Bring it.

[Alkasquawlik]

Holy Sheeet!! So fuckin fun out there today. It was only Red Dog, Far East and Squawllywood, but damn was it DEEP. Steep Red Dog, Far East tree lines, face shots and stump drops. Yes, they did close Red Dog, sometin broke, but it opened back up. The locals chair was Far East, no wait, hauling ass fall-line tree lines.

Oh yeah, also the snowmobile into Squaw down Hwy 89 was fun. I hit 100 mph on the way home.

I'm exhausted. Time to nappy.

[Lane Meyer]

SOunds good, but I'm still glad I saved my 4 hours for Monday.

Here's two pix I just snapped of the view of the developing tunnel outside my office. Cars are starting to disappear.

[powstash]

Nah, you're probably right. I'm letting my 363-day face-shot withdrawal cloud my judgement.

Damn dude, I'm feeling all guilty and stuff for all those face shots I've had since 1/02/04. Rough, very rough.

May your next episode of face shots be of EPIC and repetative proportions!