Report from February 22, 2024

I dislocated my left shoulder on Sunday.

Three days later, I threw a backflip…

This is not recommended.

Today, I skied one of the most gorgeous chutes on Earth…

Life is almost too bizarre to believe sometimes.

Can all this be real?

Could heaven be better than this?

The answer to both of those questions is likely no, but we’ll never know, so I believe the right move is to savor and be grateful.

When it comes to gratefulness, my cup floweth over.

I’m grateful for this lake, for this region, for this community, for these friends, for this sunshine, for this abundant snowfall, for these trees, for this white granite, for this island, for these chutes, for this solitude, for this highway, for these ski resorts, for this wild land.

I started the day confused.

Go to Palisades and huck my sore shoulder with the boys or go on my first-ever solo backcountry tour in Lake Tahoe?

I decided on the latter, thinking it smart to avoid the huck-fest that was bound to be Palisades today (and thus hopefully avoid re-dislocating my shoulder).

I had a backcountry destination in mind but pulled a U-turn when I saw this chute…

It was fresh and very clearly underestimated by all – including me.

I ran up it.

The heat seared me.

Sweat poured off my chin.

Soaked socks.

I got to the top in good time, and there was no one around.

Just me.

I had my pick of about four chutes.

I chose carefully…

It took a minute and some extra sidestepping to dial in the entrance, and then I dropped.

The first turns were splendid.

Creamy, responsive snow.

I then crested the wind lip and changed aspects.

The snow morphed into a thin, stale whipped cream on top of ice.

The first turns held some grace, then warped into gracelessness.

I hacked my way down the choke and back into the open.

A few more good snow turns in a sheltered spot then a bushwhack struggle fight to the end.

Back at the car, I was cooked.

I’d forgotten my flip-flops – a sin in California…

I drove home with the windows down and the AC up.

I just saw the latest forecast, and it’s for another 4-5 feet of snow in the coming week.

February in Tahoe simply rules this year.

Thanks, California!

Photos