Blackcomb Freeze/Thaw 5/11/2023

Warm Alpine temps, but great crust recovery overnight added up to really hard groomers. Went over to Crystal too early and it wasn’t open. They didn’t say why, but they could have said “Dangerous Icy Condition” and been correct. Had to slide back down to Excellerator. Went over to 7th Heaven when it still said closed, but only had to wait ten minutes to get my first “first chair” on 7th in probably 25 years of skiing there. A few good turns were had, but it was mostly hard as a rock. Five runs later it was similar…Dropped over towards Glacier
for a long ski out. Sudan’s was closed (Probably a very good thing) so I just went down Glacier Drive which had low snow, huge bumps, and generally difficult skiing that was sure to wreck some poor blue run skiers day…No skiing for me tomorrow as it’s warming up even more. Good but not great Spring week. The weekend looks way too hot.

 

In our recent ski trip to Heavenly, I captured the 2 photos of your recent runs at Heavenly.

Wow! That much snow still on Gunbarrel? Love that place. I’d love to do that thing again, but with the usual freeze/thaw conditions in April, it’s usually hard as a rock till early afternoon. I would love to come down in maybe June and try to do some Eastern Sierra Backcountry…I bought a book a couple of weeks ago…

We have a few friends in Bishop backcountry skiing. Usually join them but I have a thigh problem. Which book did you buy? I have quite a few books for the area.

Backcountry Skiing California’s Eastern Sierra, Bridgeport to Lone Pine

by Nate Greenberg and Dan Mingori

i’ve only resort skied in California, but have hiked/climbed Matterhorn Peak, and hiked around Tioga Pass/Saddlebag Lake. Will need to find easy approach, low angle stuff for doing with Kathy as backcountry skiing isn’t her best sport.

The book you bought is great.

Another old book that is also helpful:
Backcountry Skiing California's High Sierra by John Moynier ,1999 by Falcon Guide.
Jill would ski with me on the shorter half day runs.