The Times They Are A-Changin’

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY TO EVERYONE!

The temperature on Ward Peak at 4:15 pm is 61 degrees. At the base of Roundhouse, the temperature hit 65 degrees this afternoon. I do not know what may happen between now and the beginning of summer, but these temperatures are quickly destroying the snowpack and threaten to end the ski season sooner than any of us predicted. The areas available for safe skiing are dwindling by the day.

Dirt and rocks are hiding just below the surface, or on the backside of moguls, or in plain sight.

I am not saying that the mountain is empty of slopes that offer a memorable corn experience, but they are disappearing rapidly. We did enjoy Sunspot and Tower 19 this morning, along with Alpine Bowl. Ladies Slalom and Yellow Trail were pleasant, but rocks are hiding and waiting to gauge our skis.

I did not ski Palisades, Low Saddle, or Lower Beaver today, but they looked good. They were firm as they did freeze overnight, but I am sure they softened between 10 and 11, if not sooner.

Corduroy, manufactured by the overnight grooming, grew sweet for a couple of runs, but it soon became a rutted mess as skiers left deep marks in the very soft snow. We hunted around for some off-piste snow in the Gunner’s Knob area and found a few short slopes that pleased us.

However, the hot sun pulled us off the mountain just before noon.

Although it is just mid-March, the hot weather is pulling our bikes out of the garage, as well as our kayaks and paddleboards.

I was out on Tahoe this afternoon in my kayak. I was the only person on the lake that I could see for at least an hour. I must admit that it was beautiful and quiet paddling on the flat water.

I guess the lake is not too cold, as I spotted these local ladies preparing to jump into the water.

We are slipping from winter to summer more quickly than I hoped, but there is not much we can do about it at this point in time.

Enjoy your day.

Andy