Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I did not ski very long today, because I am fighting a chest cold.  Perhaps I should have stayed inside on those wet days we endured recently.  However, I did get out on the hill this morning for a couple of hours touring the mountain in search of winter snow.

My first run under Alpine Bowl Chair, and through Terry’s Return, was one of my better choices.  The snow was a little firm, but very nice winter pack. Lower down, along Red Ridge, I found a mixture of winter snow and ice. The groomed areas were pretty firm, but an edge held just fine.  The issue I noticed riding Summit Chair this morning was the excessive number of people flooding Red Trail, Charity, and Werner’s Schuss.  Not only were there too many people the on runs, but many of them were skiing as if they were in a downhill race. I leaned away from the groomed areas.

A ride up TLC brought me to some soft snow within the forest that heads down toward Sherwood Chair. Turning through those trees rarely disappoints me.  It also led me to a view down to the base of Sherwood Chair that was still not operating today.  Although it looks inviting, I understand underneath the beauty is something to avoid.

Reily’s Run was groomed today, but I thought it would be more fun to ski though the trees below the Return Road, ending at the base of Lakeview Chair.  Once again, I found a mixture of soft snow and firm rubble, but I did enjoy the short slope.

My ride up Lakeview was enjoyable, but the tour down Scott’s Beam, that looked okay from the chair, turned out to be a mistake.  Icy rubble is a challenge, but not one I was hoping for today. I repeated my mistake skiing down from Scott Chair on Bobby’s Trail. My hope for a trip down Gentian Gully was once again thwarted by a closed sign. I guess I should have stuck around Scott Chair skiing rock hard rubble longer, because it did open later in the morning.  I was told it was pretty slick and not all that good, by a friend who had spoken with a patroller, but I do not believe her at least from my desk at home.

I think most of the good snow, easily accessed by riding a chair, was higher up off Alpine Bowl Chair, or in the D Chutes off Summit.

However, I also heard from a good friend who hiked over to High Beaver.  Her report was that the traverse was icy, and finding a spot to drop in off the cornice was tricky, but the chute was soft and delightful.  The effort to access the slope evidently paid off.

It is New Year’s Eve.  December 31 reminds me of an old Alpine Meadows Lift Ticket that I have kept all these years. December 31, 1961.

I am also reminded to make a wish for the following year.  This year, once again, I am reminded how lucky I am to be able to live and ski in these beautiful Sierra Mountains.  Today, I think of all the millions of people who live in conditions where life is so much more difficult than mine.  Conditions of poverty, war, and fear. I wish that all these people have a better year this year than they had last year. I just wish for peace and happiness throughout the world.

Happy New Year,

Andy