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Patchskiing TRs - Spring, Summer, and Autumn Stoke - 2017
- Thread starter Stev
- Start date
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- autumn skiing backcountry skiing bald mountain pinenut range first runs of the ski season hike to ski leviathan peak skiing lundy canyon skiing monitor pass skiing patch skiing patch skiing photos by stev patchskiing ski stoke for the upcoming season skiing with your dog spring skiing summer skiing
This is somewhat unrelated, except we were skiing, but Floyd (so named by us) wanted to hang out with us and pose once we hit the vehicle summit of Peak 10 (about 13,300 feet).
These are all phone pics in terms of our proximity.
These are all phone pics in terms of our proximity.
Thread Starter
TS
^
I refer to some patchskiing approaches as mountain goat trails to describe their steepness and tricky surface conditions.
Now you can be taken literally.
I refer to some patchskiing approaches as mountain goat trails to describe their steepness and tricky surface conditions.
Now you can be taken literally.
^ there was some goat access skiing to be had, but some MTB demo riding ended up taking precedent.
Didn't get too many pics of skiing as the boys were just about done before I hit the snow.
ms. nay...interspersed with another perfect pooch day...
A scree hike down to the remaining upper bowl patch. We met two young women who had hiked up and done the work. They said it was rough, but were all smiles.
A 3K (vehicle assisted ascent) descent awaits on the demo Trance for Boy2.
For Peak 10 skiers, there is a big patch to lookers left of where we skied with extended moderate pitch that I haven't seen before in this shape in late July - there were several skiers taking advantage.
I geared up to head over, but clouds started building and there were other group priorities so I pulled the plug. Snow quality is relatively good (high freeze levels - mostly DirtyCorn and not much freeze right under the surface) and this would be an excellent patch for the next week or so I would think. I thought I had taken a pic on our approach, but apparently not - it's obvious as you get closer.
In a bit of ski rig feedback in terms of accessing the back country, I took the Sequoia (it's modified) up to the top with no drama after we skied. Was a little surprised given how tight some of those switchbacks are.
Close Encounters with Floyd. He may just be really itchy and hoping for help.
If my math is right, that's month 32 in the streak. What a fantastic day.
Didn't get too many pics of skiing as the boys were just about done before I hit the snow.
ms. nay...interspersed with another perfect pooch day...
A scree hike down to the remaining upper bowl patch. We met two young women who had hiked up and done the work. They said it was rough, but were all smiles.
A 3K (vehicle assisted ascent) descent awaits on the demo Trance for Boy2.
For Peak 10 skiers, there is a big patch to lookers left of where we skied with extended moderate pitch that I haven't seen before in this shape in late July - there were several skiers taking advantage.
I geared up to head over, but clouds started building and there were other group priorities so I pulled the plug. Snow quality is relatively good (high freeze levels - mostly DirtyCorn and not much freeze right under the surface) and this would be an excellent patch for the next week or so I would think. I thought I had taken a pic on our approach, but apparently not - it's obvious as you get closer.
In a bit of ski rig feedback in terms of accessing the back country, I took the Sequoia (it's modified) up to the top with no drama after we skied. Was a little surprised given how tight some of those switchbacks are.
Close Encounters with Floyd. He may just be really itchy and hoping for help.
If my math is right, that's month 32 in the streak. What a fantastic day.
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Thread Starter
TS
Hiram Peak/Highland Lakes, July 21, 2017
After hearing that Highland Lakes Road was drivable to the lakes, we went on a recon mission to see how much snow was left to ski.
A panoramic view of the backside chutes and bowls of Hiram Peak.
A panoramic view of Highland Lakes as seen from the hike up to Hiram Peak.
The view from the top of the run off of the backside of Hiram Peak.
Stev skiing below Hiram Peak.
Penny swimming and splashing in one of the many ponds.
Stev skiing the Triangle Patch.
A self-timer photo of Stev skiing above Highland Lakes with the backside of Folger Peak in the background.
Makisha encouraging Stev to pond skim Upper Highland Lake.
Stev crossing the creek in his bare feet.
Looking across Upper Highland Lake up at patches below Hiram Peak.
There is still plenty of smooth snow to be skied.
After hearing that Highland Lakes Road was drivable to the lakes, we went on a recon mission to see how much snow was left to ski.
A panoramic view of the backside chutes and bowls of Hiram Peak.
A panoramic view of Highland Lakes as seen from the hike up to Hiram Peak.
The view from the top of the run off of the backside of Hiram Peak.
Stev skiing below Hiram Peak.
Penny swimming and splashing in one of the many ponds.
Stev skiing the Triangle Patch.
A self-timer photo of Stev skiing above Highland Lakes with the backside of Folger Peak in the background.
Makisha encouraging Stev to pond skim Upper Highland Lake.
Stev crossing the creek in his bare feet.
Looking across Upper Highland Lake up at patches below Hiram Peak.
There is still plenty of smooth snow to be skied.
Thread Starter
TS
Lost Lakes and The Nipple, July 23, 2017
Since the skiing was so good ten days earlier at Lost Lakes and The Nipple on July 13th a return trip sounded good to me, MJ, Makisha and Penny.
A panoramic view of Lost Lakes.
Penny and Makisha are excited while MJ takes a run above Lost Lakes.
MJ skiing above Lost Lakes.
Penny looking at Upper Blue Lake from the edge of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Makisha and Penny hanging out at the top of the Upper Far East Patch at The Nipple.
Stev skiing the Upper Far East Patch at The Nipple.
Makisha following Stev on the Lower Near East Patch at The Nipple.
It was well worth the return trip.
Since the skiing was so good ten days earlier at Lost Lakes and The Nipple on July 13th a return trip sounded good to me, MJ, Makisha and Penny.
A panoramic view of Lost Lakes.
Penny and Makisha are excited while MJ takes a run above Lost Lakes.
MJ skiing above Lost Lakes.
Penny looking at Upper Blue Lake from the edge of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Makisha and Penny hanging out at the top of the Upper Far East Patch at The Nipple.
Stev skiing the Upper Far East Patch at The Nipple.
Makisha following Stev on the Lower Near East Patch at The Nipple.
It was well worth the return trip.
When I get too jealous, I tend to focus on how I probably wouldn't enjoy the hike up at those altitudes with all that equipment. It doesn't completely solve it, but it helps.
Patch skiing is a blast. It's way more fun than it looks. Until Sept, anyway, when the skiing part tends to become somewhat less enjoyable.
Apologies for the reminder. But the hiking is still really fun.
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Thread Starter
TS
The Nipple, July 26, 2017
Makisha and Penny really wanted to head back up to the snow, so we returned to The Nipple. However, on this day we would try a different approach that started from between Lower and Upper Blue Lakes and head up the backside.
Makisha in front of a waterfall on the hike in.
A deer up on the ridge watches Penny in the snow.
A self-timer photo from the first run.
A self-timer photo from the second run.
I would take one more run before hiking out.
Video of the third run:
Makisha and Penny really wanted to head back up to the snow, so we returned to The Nipple. However, on this day we would try a different approach that started from between Lower and Upper Blue Lakes and head up the backside.
Makisha in front of a waterfall on the hike in.
A deer up on the ridge watches Penny in the snow.
A self-timer photo from the first run.
A self-timer photo from the second run.
I would take one more run before hiking out.
Video of the third run:
Thread Starter
TS
Folger Peak, July 28, 2017
When I skied Hiram Peak/Highland Lakes a week earlier I noticed that the backside of Folger Peak was holding a lot of snow. When I returned with Spence and Penny we decided to explore these lines.
Penny following Spence on our first run of the day.
Spence heading toward the bottom of our second run.
Spence skiing below one of the many waterfalls on the backside of Folger Peak.
We continued to find more snow patches and waterfalls.
Penny leads the way for Stev on another run.
Stev enjoying more smooth corn snow.
Spences showing how to summer ski similar to Ski Magazine's technique section.
Spence shadowskiing above Lower Highland Lake.
Stev bootpacking and Penny pawpacking up for another run.
Penny watching Spence weaving down toward Lower Highland Lake.
Stev and Penny.
Penny following Stev on another run.
Spence following Spence down some rollers.
Stev and Penny taking one more run with Highland Lakes and Hiram Peak in the background.
We skied on seven different patches. The Highland Lakes area still has a lot to offer.
When I skied Hiram Peak/Highland Lakes a week earlier I noticed that the backside of Folger Peak was holding a lot of snow. When I returned with Spence and Penny we decided to explore these lines.
Penny following Spence on our first run of the day.
Spence heading toward the bottom of our second run.
Spence skiing below one of the many waterfalls on the backside of Folger Peak.
We continued to find more snow patches and waterfalls.
Penny leads the way for Stev on another run.
Stev enjoying more smooth corn snow.
Spences showing how to summer ski similar to Ski Magazine's technique section.
Spence shadowskiing above Lower Highland Lake.
Stev bootpacking and Penny pawpacking up for another run.
Penny watching Spence weaving down toward Lower Highland Lake.
Stev and Penny.
Penny following Stev on another run.
Spence following Spence down some rollers.
Stev and Penny taking one more run with Highland Lakes and Hiram Peak in the background.
We skied on seven different patches. The Highland Lakes area still has a lot to offer.
Thread Starter
TS
Roundtop, July 30, 2017
Having heard that Roundtop was still holding a lot of snow meant that I needed to ski it for myself along with my friend MJ.
MJ skiing the upper ODB/RZA combined patch.
Stev skiing below Roundtop.
MJ skiing the "watermelon" snow.
Stev enters the top of the "I Beam."
MJ exiting the "I Beam."
Looking up at the "I Beam."
A 50 second long POV video of skiing the "I Beam" Chute with an original custom soundtrack:
A panoramic view of Roundtop and the "I Beam" as pointed out by MJ from above the creek on the trail from Woods Lake.
We skied from the top of the snow at looker's right of Roundtop all the way down to the boulder giant slalom at the bottom of the "I Beam" with only one short portage to the top of the "I Beam."
A great day. The "I Beam" had some of the smoothest snow. It also looks like the area around Roundtop should continue to hold snow until it falls again at the beginning of next season.
Having heard that Roundtop was still holding a lot of snow meant that I needed to ski it for myself along with my friend MJ.
MJ skiing the upper ODB/RZA combined patch.
Stev skiing below Roundtop.
MJ skiing the "watermelon" snow.
Stev enters the top of the "I Beam."
MJ exiting the "I Beam."
Looking up at the "I Beam."
A 50 second long POV video of skiing the "I Beam" Chute with an original custom soundtrack:
A panoramic view of Roundtop and the "I Beam" as pointed out by MJ from above the creek on the trail from Woods Lake.
We skied from the top of the snow at looker's right of Roundtop all the way down to the boulder giant slalom at the bottom of the "I Beam" with only one short portage to the top of the "I Beam."
A great day. The "I Beam" had some of the smoothest snow. It also looks like the area around Roundtop should continue to hold snow until it falls again at the beginning of next season.
Thread Starter
TS
The Nipple, August 1, 2017
Makisha and Penny really wanted to head back up to the snow, so we returned to The Nipple for a dusk patrol ski mission.
You can see that Makisha and Penny want Stev to start his first run, self-timer photo.
Makisha and Penny with Stev on his first run, self-timer photo.
Makisha urgently pursues Stev on his third run, self-timer photo.
Penny and Makisha with The Nipple in the background.
This was another successful dusk patrol ski mission. We all had a great time. This also was a fun way to start my 166th consecutive month skiing.
Makisha and Penny really wanted to head back up to the snow, so we returned to The Nipple for a dusk patrol ski mission.
You can see that Makisha and Penny want Stev to start his first run, self-timer photo.
Makisha and Penny with Stev on his first run, self-timer photo.
Makisha urgently pursues Stev on his third run, self-timer photo.
Penny and Makisha with The Nipple in the background.
This was another successful dusk patrol ski mission. We all had a great time. This also was a fun way to start my 166th consecutive month skiing.
Aptly named, if you turn the last two pics clockwise 90°...
Thread Starter
TS
Sisters, August 6, 2017
After finding abundant snow a week earlier at Roundtop, we decided to explore the neighboring Sisters area.
A pre-skiing panorama of Sisters.
Roundtop can be seen on the far left. You can also see that the snow below Sisters goes all the way down to Roundtop Lake.
Two self-timer photos of Stev skiing Sisters.
Caples Lake and Roundtop Lake can be seen below.
MJ skiing Sisters.
Stev skiing Sisters with Roundtop in the background.
MJ skiing Sisters.
MJ skiing further below Sisters.
Indian Paintbrush with Sisters in the background.
Bee and flowers.
A post-skiing panorama of Sisters.
An impressive amount of snow for August.
After finding abundant snow a week earlier at Roundtop, we decided to explore the neighboring Sisters area.
A pre-skiing panorama of Sisters.
Roundtop can be seen on the far left. You can also see that the snow below Sisters goes all the way down to Roundtop Lake.
Two self-timer photos of Stev skiing Sisters.
Caples Lake and Roundtop Lake can be seen below.
MJ skiing Sisters.
Stev skiing Sisters with Roundtop in the background.
MJ skiing Sisters.
MJ skiing further below Sisters.
Indian Paintbrush with Sisters in the background.
Bee and flowers.
A post-skiing panorama of Sisters.
An impressive amount of snow for August.
Thread Starter
TS
The Nipple, August 7, 2017
After being subjected for most of the day to the doggie version of the "Jedi-Mind-Trick" by Makisha and Penny, I took them up to the snow at The Nipple.
Penny chillin' on the snow.
Makisha continues using the doggie version of the "Jedi-Mind-Trick" passing along the thought "You will ski."
Penny and Makisha are ready for skiing to start, first run, self-timer photo.
Stev, Penny and Makisha, first run, self-timer photo.
Stev, Penny and Makisha, second run, self-timer photo.
Penny, Makisha, and Stev, third run, self-timer photo.
Stev and Makisha, third run, self-timer photo.
We would take two more runs. Since The Nipple is still holding snow pretty well, we'll be likely to return.
After being subjected for most of the day to the doggie version of the "Jedi-Mind-Trick" by Makisha and Penny, I took them up to the snow at The Nipple.
Penny chillin' on the snow.
Makisha continues using the doggie version of the "Jedi-Mind-Trick" passing along the thought "You will ski."
Penny and Makisha are ready for skiing to start, first run, self-timer photo.
Stev, Penny and Makisha, first run, self-timer photo.
Stev, Penny and Makisha, second run, self-timer photo.
Penny, Makisha, and Stev, third run, self-timer photo.
Stev and Makisha, third run, self-timer photo.
We would take two more runs. Since The Nipple is still holding snow pretty well, we'll be likely to return.
if I were to venture a guess, I would say the it's the Owens Valley just north of the Bishop Creek drainage, looking southward out of an airplane headed for San Jose.