09.25.12 -- 5!
9/15/12
3197
5
It just occurred to me a few days ago that this September marks 120-months of turns for me -- ten years worth of skiing at least once a month. What a weird ritual it has become.
Last night (and also during my lunch break this afternoon) I scoured the Internet looking for any hints of snow to ski within a 200-mile radius of Reno...basically looking at every possible site with webcam data. Nothing.
Then it hit me, but I wasn't 100% sure if there would be any snow left.
I called Ben, a close friend in town, with the idea. I roped Ben into TAY three years ago and this month marks 36 months of skiing for him. He was in.
We left Reno after work at 4:45 pm, then drove south toward Carson Pass. By 6 pm we were driving over the pass, seeing basically nothing, and Ben was becoming skeptical. I ignored him and continued to a small campground about 0.5 mile on the west side of the pass. By 6:30 pm we shouldered our skis and headed toward Round Top and the Sisters:
We were losing light fast, but whatever. By 7:30 pm we had climbed about 1500 vf. over about 3 miles and before us was a place for September turns:
Ben was still skeptical. But pushing onward, we eventually found two nice patches on a steep north slope, in between Round Top and the Sisters. We decided to save one for October just in case we needed it. At that moment I couldn't think of anything more enjoyable than sinking my edges into a near 45-degree patch of bullet proof late September mixture of ice/rock/dirt, in the dark.
The batteries in Ben's headlamp went out, so he only enjoyed one good run. I came prepared and racked up three good runs. 120 months felt like a dream. Oh so memorable.
We made it back to Reno by 11:30 pm.
Last night (and also during my lunch break this afternoon) I scoured the Internet looking for any hints of snow to ski within a 200-mile radius of Reno...basically looking at every possible site with webcam data. Nothing.
Then it hit me, but I wasn't 100% sure if there would be any snow left.
I called Ben, a close friend in town, with the idea. I roped Ben into TAY three years ago and this month marks 36 months of skiing for him. He was in.
We left Reno after work at 4:45 pm, then drove south toward Carson Pass. By 6 pm we were driving over the pass, seeing basically nothing, and Ben was becoming skeptical. I ignored him and continued to a small campground about 0.5 mile on the west side of the pass. By 6:30 pm we shouldered our skis and headed toward Round Top and the Sisters:
We were losing light fast, but whatever. By 7:30 pm we had climbed about 1500 vf. over about 3 miles and before us was a place for September turns:
Ben was still skeptical. But pushing onward, we eventually found two nice patches on a steep north slope, in between Round Top and the Sisters. We decided to save one for October just in case we needed it. At that moment I couldn't think of anything more enjoyable than sinking my edges into a near 45-degree patch of bullet proof late September mixture of ice/rock/dirt, in the dark.
The batteries in Ben's headlamp went out, so he only enjoyed one good run. I came prepared and racked up three good runs. 120 months felt like a dream. Oh so memorable.
We made it back to Reno by 11:30 pm.
Love it! That's strong work Kam, as usual for this time of year down there...
wow. 10 years. Way to go!
You da man, Kamster.
- you could also tag somethin' by June Lk (Mt Wood). except it's about 5,000 vert, to reach. viewable from 395
Fantastic! I will keep whining to a minimum the next time I have to scramble for turns, we sure have plenty of easy options (here in the PNW) compared to your mission, great inspiration, thanks.
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