Brought to you by 10 Barrel Brewing 

Report from May 13, 2021

We went for another long walk surrounded by gorgeous Sierra granite on Thursday.

It was my last day to backcountry ski for the week due to a Wilderness First Responder recertification class I have over the weekend.

We returned to the zone we’d first explored the previous day, Wednesday.

None of us had ever been in this zone before Wednesday and we were eager to return.

There was a steep chute we were calling “Cornice Chute” due to the cornice guarding the entrance.

We’d wanted to ski it on Wednesday but the firmer conditions and very steep, no-fall-zone terrain at the top of the chute kept us out.

It was a bit hotter on Thursday with no wind and we started an hour later.

That combination worked and after throwing a few rocks into the chute to test the snow quality, we were convinced.

I went first and the side-slip above the rocks put my heart in my throat.

The snow was very firm but edge-able.

There was no room for error.

Once I’d finally glided into the chute, I dropped in and made a quick test turn and found the snow soft and supple.

I proceeded to rip turns and scream down most of the rest of the chute.

I stopped at the end of the chute but before the 2nd half of the run to keep eyes on Tall Carl and make sure he was safe.

He then passed me. I jumped in after him and we skied the best corn of the trip on that lower section and screamed our heads off.

We were stoked.

There was talk of a second run, but it was just so hot…

Carl and Rylan did pull the trigger and do a 2nd lap, which they said was great.

They also said that their traversing exit out was extremely hot and sticky and that it was a pretty ugly slog.

We après skied at Mobil Mart. I tried the BBQ chicken sandwich and it was excellent.

After Mobile Mart if was off to June Lake for a swim and a killer camping spot.

This area is straight magic.

I don’t think anything beats Mammoth in May…

Photos in Chronological Order: