Backcountry
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IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!
Given the absolutely dismal year we had here in Northern California, I never would have guessed that the annual mid-June climb to ski around the Carson Pass area would have the snow to pull it off. Well, after above average snowfall for May 2015, Round Top Peak (10,381 ft) and the Sisters Peaks (10,153 ft) failed to disappoint.
We started at Woods Lake (8,232 ft) and headed up to the the snow line just above Winnemucca Lake. With temperatures around 50F at 8am and absolutely zero wind, we had no idea what the snow quality would be like. As it turns out, there was more snow than expected, smooth corn, and better yet…no massive suncups!
On this trip I was joined by my usual partner in crime for summer skiing…Mr. Patchskier (Stev). Also on this adventure was Jamie Blair, who has never set foot in this area. What a better way to show him the ropes then sending him up a the chute lookers left of Moon Crescent on Round Top Peak. There was a minor rocky crux to leap over at the exit but otherwise, the snow was steep, narrow and smooth…the ideal conditions for early Summer skiing near Tahoe.
After Round Top Peak, we traversed over and hit a ‘groomer’ zone under the Wu Tang Patches while on our hike over the first Sisters Peak. From Sisters Peak, we descended the usual narrow chute and then traversed over to the second Sisters zone just above Round Top Lake. After hiking and skiing that, we headed up the third Sisters zone and slayed the Dick’s Divide (Cock Rock Chute) all the way to the bottom of the lake.
The perfect way to terminate the terrible Tahoe season!
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June 11th’s view of the chute off Round Top Peak…will it go?
Just enough coverage on Round Top and the Sisters…
Here are some idiots hiking with skis and boots strapped to their backs in June…during an epic drought.
Once at Winnemucca Lake, we were met with some dandy visuals…
Stev even performs a river crossing on his way to the goods…
Its hard to escape our fans…they chirped from every advantage point.
After a quick snack with a transition into ski boots and crampons, Jamie and I made our way up the couloir.
The chute itself had half the amount of coverage on the same day a year earlier…with more of a rocky crux to deal with on the descent.
The snow did not freeze overnight…which can be a good or bad thing.
Thinking his ski season was over a few weeks ago, Jamie was all smiles as he approached the summit…
The climb went smoothly and we decided to take in the views…
Deadwood Peak says hello through a gap of volcanic rock…
Way off into the distance, you can see Sonora Pass and the Y Couloir off Leavitt Peak…
If we were super core, we would have hiked from the shore of Lake Tahoe…
The snow was perfectly cooked corn albeit a bit narrow…
Jamie slashed his way down the couloir in a controlled and compact manner…
Here, a skier questions his motives while carrying 400lbs of water…
On our traverse to Sisters Peak, we couldn’t help ourselves so we hit up the Wu Tang groomer. Thus, Stev carved his way greatness…
Jamie was still laughing from his earlier line…
Next stop was Sisters Peak, which is the highest peak on the left…
The summit of Sisters Peak has stunning views of Caples Lake and the Kirkwood surrounding area…
The line off Sisters Peak is almost always smooth and delicous…year after year.
Oh man, it was pretty darn tasty…
Stev comes ripping out of the gut but maintains his composure …
The Sisters zone contains three main peaks. All of which have different types of rock formations and geology even though they share the same ridge…
Not bad coverage considering the drought eh?…
We attempted to find another entrance to this area from above…but given the year, failure was inevitable.
If you are a Tahoe summer skier looking for tuns, above Round Top Lake holds the most snow combined with the longest consistent pitch…
With minimal suncups, longer radius turns followed……
Jamie Blair rips a few GS turns down to our final transition zone…
Here, Stev makes a turn on his 140th consecutive month of skiing…yep, he’s a winter warrior.
Finally, we arrive at out last objective…
After shot blocks all around, we pushed on to our final ascent…
Stev reaching the summit of Dick’s Divide…
After drawing straws, Stev earned the pow turns…
Jamie was nice enough to clean the line for my descent…
Even being late in the afternoon, the snow was soft yet fast…we’ll take it.
The apron might as well have been groomed…
The wildflowers were just beginning to push through this high altitude landscape…
Next time we’ll work harder on our Powder 8’s…
Stev even caught a glimpse of the author in his element…a rare sighting indeed
…THANK YOU CARSON PASS!
nice!
awesome dudes
Great post! Thanks for sharing the adventure.
Nice trip, indeed.
Congratulations to Steve for his 140th consecutive month of skiing!!
Thanks!
Stev is now on 141…haha