14/?? The OFFICIAL Tahoe Thread

[skysos]

The new web cam on the Kirkwood web site is awesome.

[Ottime]

what map? did someone post my map and then delete it?

No. I was only referencing your post tongue and cheek style. Someone said in that thread about how your map would only cause trouble by getting gapers to go back there and making patrols work harder. While that did not happen with your map, I do expect this to require more work by patrol.

But seriously, which is Avalanche Bowl? Is that the one behind glove rock? I'm kind of fine with that, but they do seem intent on tracking out the side country which makes me kind of sad. Some day they will be running hucking clinics in the Gulch.

[skier666]

^^^^^

That's my assumption...you ski Thunder Bowl and then they give you those awesomely ehhh 3 turns before cranking the hard right to make it to the Spur traverse.

[Nuthon]

The new web cam on the Kirkwood web site is awesome.

Hilarious that they moved it from looking at the base of chair 6. Guess they did not want to show the cluster at the base on a pow day. looks good though

Is it me or do they not have a trail map on the website. Granted i may have looked right over it, but all i see is the valley property map.

[The Dad]

Got a ski lease off alpine meadows road on deer park road or something like that. 1st grade son and I got silver passes - went in w families from his school; money didn't really seem worth it but it's families from his school so we thought it would be a good social thing.

Welcome.

1) is my best bet skiing alpine meadows? Usually ski squaw. Skied alpine one time ever, last year, it poured rain on us and was probably the worst day skiing of my life. I assume when it's on it's good but wondering if it's always worth skiing there or if venturing over to squaw is ever worth it. Going in blind here, need some reassurance. Note: my only goal is keeping my boy stoked on skiing.

Venturing to Squaw can be worth it, especially since you like and know Squaw. You will not want to do that on Saturdays and holidays, but I think that your silver pass probably blocks those out anyway.

One thing to keep in mind is that there is a free shuttle that may run right in front of your door -- it comes up Mineral Springs to John Scott to Deer Park, then up the access road to the resort. It can be a godsend, especially during busy times. I believe that it takes the uphill leg of Deer Park (known to some of us as Dear God for the treacherousness of the last 20-degree pitch with a 90-degree turn, up to the access road), so depending on where your lease is, you may need to walk to the corner of John Scott. From there, you can hit Alpine or take the shuttle to Squaw and not have to deal with parking.

2) assuming you know that general location, and assuming I were to ski at squaw, is there any way to ski down to from kt22 or that area? Kind of looks like it on a map but can anyone confirm? This would not be w my son, just solo.

Others have answered this. It is owned by Troy Caldwell, and it is often dangerous avalanche terrain. People have poached it, and some have died.

3) related: is there any touring from that area? Meaning right there from the alpine meadows road? Again I've only been there once IN THE RAIN so idk much about the area.

I don't know anyone who does straight touring from there, but Munchkins and Field of Dreams -- traditional sidecountry routes down from the top of the Lakeview chair on Scott -- end above you, and if there's enough snow on the road, you don't have to take your skis off to get down.

One other suggestion: Consider putting your kid on Alpine Rangers or on the Locals Program. All three of ours did teams for years, and besides the skills development, it meant that they created a group of friends they could only see in the mountains. In ten seasons, our kids have rarely complained about going up, and never during team.

[ShakeMeUp]

Just wanted to say that the California Avalanche Workshop on Saturday was well worth my time. Heard it sold out? A lot of good info and relevant speakers for the most part.

[TahoeJ]

People have poached it, and some have died.

When was that?

[LightRanger]

Winter 2000-2001. Mike linked it up thread. They were Truckee High kids, IIRC. I remember talking about it with ski team friends (different school).

[ShakeMeUp]

I remember that day. Yellow Chair was top of the hill at Alpine. Definitely nuking and a super sad situation.

[SchralphMacchio]

Just wanted to say that the California Avalanche Workshop on Saturday was well worth my time. Heard it sold out? A lot of good info and relevant speakers for the most part.

Did you like 213's equations? Mad advection and vorticity, yo! 700 mb waves dropping some right-hand rule action!

Glad to hear it was worth your time. Dave (and everyone else, but especially Dave) spent a lot of energy pulling everything together. Hats off to him, and I'm already looking forward to next year.

For reference, my article is posted here (page 20). http://www.americanavalancheassociat...32_4_Cover.pdf

It was interesting to see how frighteningly similar our accident was to Tunnel Creek.

[Dhelihiker]

Let me drive around south shore a bit and figure out which places sit empty most of the winter.

I'll send you an address and paypal email in a few days.

Sweet, lets start a meth lab.

I'll be in Hope Valley Snow Park most nights, you'll have to come down and shred. You'll like

[gone2alpine]

Consider putting your kid on Alpine Rangers or on the Locals Program. All three of ours did teams for years, and besides the skills development, it meant that they created a group of friends they could only see in the mountains. In ten seasons, our kids have rarely complained about going up, and never during team.

Squaw killed the popular Locals program....but hey, if you buy five lessons for $1900, you get the 6th for free!

[old goat]

http://unofficialalpine.com/?p=6157
anyone have a more detailed idea of where they're talking about? Above Champs? Below Champs? RD Ridge?

[TahoeJ]

See the closed area in this map shot? I think maybe there and the tree area to the upper left of it. Which is great news for storm day skiing. I forget offhand if they rope off the upper left or not. I always find myself wanting to drop into the closed gully area, so I hope that's included.

[tahoe420]

The closed area has a pretty deep creek in it, and isn't there a holding pond at the bottom.
I thought the area above left of the closed area was called Pinball, or it could just be me?
It's great with good snow cover doesn't get much sun too. They should thin left of Far East
that's the best skiing when Red Dog is the top of the mountain. 6 minute hot laps!

[thefrush]

Anybody going to the Sacramento TGR premiere tonight?

[LightRanger]

If they thin enough to make the RD/FE trees more like the trees below Olympic Lady (thinking skiers right down the ridge, IIRC) that'd be sweet.

[hopelesslyadolescent]

Really good article, Schralph, thank you. Great read while we're waiting for the bc season to begin. Can't spend too much time on all the ways something can go terribly wrong. Your emphasis on "it's not them, it's us" is spot on and very helpful.

[TahoeJ]

The closed area has a pretty deep creek in it, and isn't there a holding pond at the bottom.

I can see the creek being an issue early and/or late in the season but don't remember seeing a holding pond down there... although maybe that's just because of the lack of precip recently. I was assuming that would be the area because I thought the article said it would open up skiing that was closed off previously.

[dhklauer]

For reference, my article is posted here (page 20). http://www.americanavalancheassociat...32_4_Cover.pdf

It was interesting to see how frighteningly similar our accident was to Tunnel Creek.

Great write up Alex!

[skier666]

Just here to post some stoke for THIS SEASON... but using footage from LAST SEASON!!! OMG!

If it can be this good on a 3rd worst season ever, imagine what an average year would give us....drool.

[WestCoastPDR]

But seriously, which is Avalanche Bowl? .

This is avalanche bowl. Last Saturday of the 13/14 season. Can be seen from spur traverse. Continuing the stoke. Ready to be back out there.

[old goat]

I can see the creek being an issue early and/or late in the season but don't remember seeing a holding pond down there... although maybe that's just because of the lack of precip recently. I was assuming that would be the area because I thought the article said it would open up skiing that was closed off previously.

Maybe wear your airbag in case you wind up in the creek?

[Ottime]

This is avalanche bowl. Last Saturday of the 13/14 season. Can be seen from spur traverse. Continuing the stoke. Ready to be back out there.

Yeah, as 666 said, but okay, then where is Rueter Bowl? That was the name I knew that face by. Could it have, gasp, two names?

That really sucks, unless they stay clear of the spur. The skin out if there pretty much puts you square at the Notch Rock, which is just a shuffle away from, well, a bunch if shitty skiing. Hope they ski the west facing trees back into TC, or lap them back up trough Martins.

[TahoeJ]

Maybe wear your airbag in case you wind up in the creek?

Doesn't Hot Wheels Gully at Alpine run right over a creek? Maybe just smaller / shallower so less of an issue?